Following a 2 years absence from the playoffs, the Clippers were thrusted into a busy offseason with the free-agency of their two star players; Cory Maggette and Elton Brand, and the overall improvement of the team for the playoff run this coming 2008-2009 season.
This all started when Baron Davis, then with the Golden State Warriors decided to opt out of his final contract and then signed with the Clippers for a Five-year $65 Million contract. Instantly many regarded the Clippers as a playoff team with Brand and Davis teaming up with a very good core of role players. However, that tandem didn’t materialize with Brand signing a Six year $82 Million contract with the Sixers.
I will not dwell anymore on why Brand left Clipperland (I don’t want politics on basketball) and in turn, the Clippers tried to re-sign athletic forward Cory Maggete. But the Warriors rebounding from the loss of their top scorer immediately offered their own version of a Five year $65 Million Contract to Maggette. What looks like a loaded roster of star players thinned out into a lone one with Baron Davis.
But with the Clippers determined to get back ionto contention traded for C Marcus Camby of Denver for two future second round draft picks. Also they signed Warriors F/G Kelenna Azubuike to a Three-year offer sheet which the Warriors matched. The Clippers then traded PG Brevin Knight to Utah in exchange for PG Jason Hart. They also signed veteran Swingman Ricky Davis into a multi-year contract and also signed F Brian Skinner which they drafted Ten years ago.
With these roster changes this offseason, are the Clippers ready to make noise next season? Or they’re just the same old Clippers who are used to the culture of losing?
The difference I think is the commitment showned by the Franchise owner and real estate mogul Donald Sterling in spending for quality players this coming season. In the past the Clippers were very hesistant in handing out multi-year contract which made hard for them to pry Quality players or all star caliber players.
But the question is; can this roster make a sudden impact to contend for playoff berth this coming season?
The projected starting five of the Clippers are Kaman, Camby, Thornton, Mobley, and Davis. Their bench will be powered by Thomas, R. Davis, Hart, Skinner, and the two promising rookies in SG Eric Gordon and C DeAndre Jordan.
Baron Davis would really command attention from opposing teams and this would make Kaman transform into an offensive threat which he showed last season with averages of 15.0ppg and 12 rpg. and possibly improved with Davis scoring from the outside and slashing his way to the basket. Also Kaman would not worry too much being the anchor-man in the middle for defense with the arrival of Camby and his defensive presence and rebounding capabilities. Thornton on the other hand would be given the role vacated by Maggette as the wing perimeter scorer which he showed brilliantly last season. Mobley, Thomas, Ricky Davis would provide Three-point scoring opportuinities to open up the lanes for Baron and to Kaman inside. Gordon is an offensive weapon that is suitable to come off the bench for the Clippers and provide them with an instant offense, and Hart on the mean time would provide all-around capablities to back up Davis.
But all of this will depend on the health of the team. Remember Kaman came from a major injury and Davis also had his share of injuries in the past.
Let’s be happy that the Clippers improved the overall depth of their roster and hopefully they can contend for a playoff berth in the wild, wild west.
Imagine a playoff matchup between the top seed La Lakers and the 8th seed La Clippers! What a heart-warming matchup!
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