http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2960614 Probably not back until February. I feel bad for the guy obviously, but from a W's fan standpoint, I think we can cross the Clips of the playoff contenders list this year.
Good luck to Brand in his recovery, hes one of my favorite non-Warrior players. This is a bit of a relief for the Warriors though. One less PO contender in the west and they'll probably be a bottom dweller that we'll play 4 times, hopefully for 4 wins. As of now it looks like the Warriors, Hornets, Lakers, and Nuggets will compete for those last spots couple of spots. I'd say its safe to assume SA, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Utah will make it in and Denver is probable as well. That leaves two spots up for grabs between Warriors, Lakers, Hornets and possibly even Memphis or Portland (or some other team?). I like our chances but it will still be a struggle. If we're a half decent road team and maintain our exceptional play at home we can definitely get in.
The Clippers season is over before it starts. Losing Elton Brand for 6 months will have this team at the bottom of the Pacific Division and close to 30 games back of a playoff spot. The Clipper curse continues, last year Shaun Livingston had a devastating injury, and now Elton Brand. To make matters worse, Elton Brand & Corey Maggette can become unrestricted free agents next summer, which leaves this franchise with a lot uncertainty. The Clippers might as well dismantle this team and start trading off their veteran players for young, cheap talent and draft picks. There's no need to keep Sam Cassell, Tim Thomas, or Cat Mobley around.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> To make matters worse, Elton Brand & Corey Maggette can become unrestricted free agents next summer, which leaves this franchise with a lot uncertainty. </div> actually, they both have player options for 2008/9. even still, your point of taking the tnt to the club is well taken. As is, it just wasn't happening edit. to be fair, their cap situation after 2008/9 is pretty nice. too much money to mobley and kaman, but no other significant commitments.
<div class="quote_poster">DTKennedy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">actually, they both have player options for 2008/9. even still, your point of taking the tnt to the club is well taken. As is, it just wasn't happening edit. to be fair, their cap situation after 2008/9 is pretty nice. too much money to mobley and kaman, but no other significant commitments.</div> Right, which is why I said can instead of will. Word down here is both will opt out, and Maggette is as good as gone, Brand will likely re-sign unless Donald Sterling gets tight with the wallet again. Kaman's contract does look terrible after a disappointing season, but this gives him an opportunity to start earning the contract he signed. I still think he can eventually become a top 10 center in the league. He's lacking confidence in himself, and hasn't learned how to brush off bad games or making mistakes on the court. What he does have going for him besides girth, is his ability to score with either hand and he takes advantage of the attention Brand draws by going after offensive rebounds. I think both Laker and Warrior fans can breathe a little easier with this news.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Clippers season is over before it starts. Losing Elton Brand for 6 months will have this team at the bottom of the Pacific Division and close to 30 games back of a playoff spot. The Clipper curse continues, last year Shaun Livingston had a devastating injury, and now Elton Brand. To make matters worse, Elton Brand & Corey Maggette can become unrestricted free agents next summer, which leaves this franchise with a lot uncertainty. The Clippers might as well dismantle this team and start trading off their veteran players for young, cheap talent and draft picks. There's no need to keep Sam Cassell, Tim Thomas, or Cat Mobley around.</div> Thats basically exactly what I was thinking. Trade off Cassell immediately, Mobley and Tim Thomas as well if anyone will take them. Play Thornton, Kaman, Ross, Jared Jordan, Paul Davis, that Euro forward they took in the lotto a couple of years back, any other young players. Let Maggette be the "first option" and average 20+ ppg then trade him while his value is high at the trade deadline. They should have a horrible record going with the youth movement and be able to land Mayo, Rose, Batum, etc. in the draft. The following year they'll have Brand back and all the young players more experienced and ready to contribute along with a top 5 pick and they can be back on their way to contention. Will this affect Brand's athleticism much? Sounds pretty serious, potentially a McDyess type of situation.
I personally think O.J. Mayo would be a perfect replacement over Shaun Livingston. I hope everything works out for Elton Brand though. He's such a hardworking, team-oriented player.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I personally think O.J. Mayo would be a perfect replacement over Shaun Livingston. I hope everything works out for Elton Brand though. He's such a hardworking, team-oriented player.</div> Agree. I was never a fan of Livingston at all. Dude had borderline PG skills but people were basically only salivating over him because hes tall and can pass well. Dude couldn't shoot worth crap (I hate PGs who can't shoot) and wasn't anything special penetrating and passing, nor on defense.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Rumor now is the Clippers will try to deal for Jermaine O'Neal by sending them Maggette and Kaman.</div> I wonder if Indiana would try to throw in Mike Dunleavy Jr. in such a trade. Hasn't Mike Dunleavy Sr. been accepting to having his son on his team? Also if Kaman doesn't come back to life this season or ever, then Indiana would be filled with horrible contracts of Kaman, Dunleavy, and Murphy - ouch. But yeah, that is an interesting rumor nonetheless.
