Same old story: Clippers have done nothing in offseason to improve Posted: Tuesday September 28, 2004 2:47PM; Updated: Tuesday September 28, 2004 2:47PM By Kelly Dwyer, Special to SI.com Corey Maggette enjoyed a breakout season in '03-04, averaging more than 20 points and almost six boards a game. Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images Clippers At A Glance Head coach -- Mike Dunleavy 2003-04 Season -- Record: 28-54 | Stats Key Additions SG Kerry Kittles (Nets) PG Shaun Livingston (draft) Key Losses SG Quentin Richardson (Suns) C Predrag Drobnjak (Bobcats) PF Melvin Ely (Bobcats) SG Eddie House (Bobcats) PG Keyon Dooling (Heat) Projected Lineup Starters Reserves PG M. Jaric S. Livingston SG K. Kittles Q. Ross SF C. Maggette B. Simmons PF E. Brand C. Wilcox C C. Kaman Z. Rebraca This article has been written 28,540 times. Each time the story is the same, and only the names have been changed to protect the feelings of those who've moved on. Once again the Los Angeles Clippers did nothing over the offseason to improve their team. They plucked a youngster out of the draft with loads of potential, lost one of their best players to free agency, and they'll head into training camp with another terribly thin roster. At least they're consistent If you've tired of reading about Donald Sterling's penurious instincts, fine. The subject has been beaten to death, and he shows no signs of changing anytime soon. There's no point in going over how he created this mess or the disservice he's done to the league since taking over the Clippers in the early 1980s. Where's the winning mindset? Sterling has refused to create or sustain "a winning atmosphere" for the Clipper organization. The list of players Sterling passed on retaining is far from legendary: Danny Manning, Ron Harper, Lamar Odom and Michael Olowokandi. Poor trades or bad contracts are not the problem here; GM Elgin Baylor can be an astute judge of talent. The Clippers have suffered because of an attitude that places a premium on rookie deals and fringe players. Take the '01-02 season: There was no reason why that team shouldn't have won 45 to 50 games, even in the West. But the pall of Olowokandi's impending contract situation set the tone before the season began, and the team played an unfortunate brand of uneasy and selfish basketball. Same for '02-03: The team had the talent to do everything right, but Odom, Elton Brand, Andre Miller, Olowokandi and Corey Maggette went into the campaign unsure if Sterling would offer up the cash to keep the flawed but talented team together, and it showed. The squad was fractured, leaving Odom and Miller practically begging the Clippers not to match the restricted free-agent offers each received at the end of the season. True, these are professionals, and they should be giving their best and thinking team-first no matter the situation. (It's nice to think like that sometimes, isn't it?) But it's not reality, especially in the Clippers locker room after 23 years of Sterling's "guidance." Sterling keeps the entire franchise on edge, preventing players from becoming fully committed, and in turn preventing the Clippers from ever creating a legitimate chance to win. And nothing's going to change until the Donald decides he's had enough of making a lot of money and sells the team. Not every Dukie flunks out of the NBA Brand is still the rock down low. He holds the distinction of being the highest-paid Clipper in history, an honor that has cost Brand 284 losses so far in his five-year career. Solid as he is, Brand is often criticized for not making his teammates better, but it's hard to argue with career averages of a combined 30 points and rebounds -- with two blocks -- a game. It's even harder to argue with illustrious talents like Steve Goodrich, Dragan Tarlac, Michael Ruffin, Matt Barnes and Mamadou N'diaye -- all of whom Brand has shared the frontcourt. Brand may be an inch or two below what you'd like from a power forward, but he works his tail off and has a deceptive touch around the hoop. He's aggressive enough to get you 20 a game, and he'll block shots and take fouls that other superstar-types won't bother with. He's one of the league's best offensive rebounders, and one of its most dangerous -- hitting a stellar 77 percent from the line in '03-04. While Brand does most of the dirty work for the Clips, fellow former Blue Devil Maggette emerged as the team's leading scorer last year, averaging almost 21 points on 45 percent from the field. An absolute athletic marvel, Maggette has the quickness to slash with the best of them and the size (6-foot-6, 228 pounds) that allows him to have his way with most small forwards in the post. His developing outside touch tempts him into shooting too many treys (76 of 231 last year, or 33 percent), but he's an aggressive player who can score without needing the ball too much. Biding their time Chris Kaman will jump center. The Central Michigan product didn't set the world on fire during his rookie year, but the 7-footer did show enough to let the Clippers pencil him in as a starter. He has the potential to average 13 to 15 points and seven rebounds in a game in his prime, which isn't too shabby in today's NBA. He can score in the post and nail the open jumper. He also runs the floor well, deceptively making his way to the front of the rim in transition, and he'll only get better. Of course, once his rookie contract runs out, he'll bolt to another team. Kerry Kittles' expiring contract was acquired from the New Jersey Nets over the summer, and he should help with more than just the Clippers' bottom line. Kittles can still hit the open shot, but his body hasn't fully recovered from a series of injuries that caused him to miss all of '00-01. Though he's been back on the court for a few seasons, the explosiveness off the dribble that marked his first three seasons in the league hasn't returned. Kittles will make $10.2 million this year and then will hit the free-agent market. Common cap sense would dictate the Clippers trade Kittles' for a crew of mid-priced vets and youngsters to fill out the roster. This, of course, will not happen. Though the Clippers only have five players under contract for '05-06, they'd much prefer having Kittles off their books so a new one-year wonder can step in. Guessing the identity of the next temp is what passes for entertainment to Clippers fans. Will it be Voshon Lenard? Jumaine Jones? Something called a "Quinton Ross" will be Kittles' backup, with both Maggette, Bobby Simmons and Marko Jaric seeing time at the off guard position. So much potential, such dismal circumstances Jaric is also the incumbent point guard. He disappointed during his second year as a Clipper, but we still see Brent Barry-like (16 points, five assists per game) potential in this athlete from Serbia-Montenegro. Jaric couldn't finish or find his perimeter touch last year. His legs never seemed to be under him, and he missed 24 games to injury. Jaric should enjoy his time in the starting lineup, because his replacement, Shaun Livingston, was drafted this past June. The 19-year-old out of Peoria, Ill., is a good 25 pounds away from being described as painfully thin, but Livingston has the skills and court vision to be the best thing to come out of the '04 draft, but it's unlikely we'll see much of him until '06. Setting sail in shallow waters Simmons and Chris Wilcox will be the primary backups at the forward positions, but both have a lot of growing to do as players. Simmons is not so much an athlete as he is a worker, hanging around the basketball and scurrying his way to loose balls. Michael Jordan is high on him because of his pluck and dogged nature, but his physical shortcomings and lack of any consistent moves will keep him from being anything more than a fringe player. Wilcox added to his sturdy frame in his second year out of Maryland. He is a good leaper but is also developing a solid jump hook while demonstrating the touch to take care of business at the line (70 percent) and the field (52 percent). Filling out the relief corps in the front is Zeljko Rebraca. Zelly had what appeared to be a promising career in Detroit but was derailed by a scary series of heart ailments. He's been cleared to play with the Clippers, but at age 32, we're not sure how much he has left in the tank. He can still finish around the basket and hit the open shot, but he'll probably cede minutes to the legendary Mikki Moore before long. The more things change ... Dunleavy can talk about internal development, about how the Clippers are buoyed by the fact Sterling matched offers to Brand and Maggette in '03 and about the cap flexibility they'll enjoy in '05, but this club enjoyed flexibility in '85 and '95 and did little with it, so it seems clear what will happen next. The Clippers had room this summer and only came away with Kittles. They also traded down in the June draft to save the $500,000 difference in contracts between Livingston and No. 2 overall selection Emeka Okafor and missed their chance at the shooting guard of the future (Ben Gordon) in the process. 500,000 bucks. Nothing's changed. Center: Chris Kaman -- Doesn't make a lot of mistakes and seems to enjoy banging underneath. Power Forward: Elton Brand -- Though his scoring average remains a constant, he's slowly added different moves to his offensive repertoire. Small Forward: Corey Maggette -- Needs to be reined in a little. Shooting Guard: Kerry Kittles -- Still can get in the passing lanes. Point Guard: Marko Jaric -- Yes, he's keeping the seat warm for Livingston, but Jaric can play well in this league. Lionel Chalmers -- Sounds like an oil baron from the 19th century. We hope he doesn't play like one. Shaun Livingston -- A couple of years at Duke really would have helped. Josh Moore -- Let the Josh Moore Era commence. Mikki Moore -- A lithe 7-footer who keeps sticking around; he can hit the boards and finish. Mamadou N'diaye -- Nobody inspires bad puns like your Mamadou. Zeljko Rebraca -- Apparently two peroxided 7-footers in Detroit was enough. Quinton Ross -- His parents must be very proud. Bobby Simmons -- A smart player who stays involved in every play. Chris Wilcox -- May see some time at center or power forward if Brand slides over to the pivot.
There's nothing to be said about the Los Angeles Clippers except that their cursed. They should just move to another city. They dont just suck, their ignored as well. At least people were talking about Orlando when they were losing just about every game they played. Noone even mentions the Clippers. It's kind of sad really.
Yup, they are like a Minor League Team for the NBA. I can't wait to find out who Livingston will play for once he develops into a star.
The team needs a new Owner, their in LA for crying out loud, why would they need to move? They'll get fans just because they're in LA, but I wish the owner wasn't such an idiot.
To be honest, ownership is running it as a business instead of a professional sports team. I truly feel that 75% of the regular posters on this board could do a better job of running this team. Another city would not help this team and depending on where they would relocate, it could make things worse, especially if they continue their "winning" ways.
