<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A fan at their Staples Center finale 10 days ago carried a handmade sign that summarized the Clippers' No. 1 objective: "Re-sign Bobby." Bobby Simmons, who is expected to be introduced Thursday as the NBA's most improved player, is the latest Clipper eligible to jump ship. But unlike Elton Brand and Corey Maggette two summers ago and Quentin Richardson last summer, he'll be an unrestricted free agent July 1. If he signs elsewhere, he's gone. Keeping him in the fold tops the Clippers' summer to-do list. "It's a very high priority, as far as I'm concerned," Coach Mike Dunleavy told a small group of reporters Monday. "I'm hopeful that he's happy here, that he's enjoyed playing with the Clippers and wants to stay."</div> Source
Can you guys see the Clippers taking someone like Antoine Wright in the draft, just in case Sterling has a feeling that Simmons won't be back in a Clips uni net season?
Bobby is a very good player, and showed his abilities finally. But is he just another Erik Dampier? Playing his ass off in a contract year, and then just leaving the team that gave him a chance. I hope he stays in L.A, the Clips really need him.
^ No, definitely not and Erick Dampier. Dampier was 29 when he emerged. Simmons is only 24 (25 in June), and that's around the age where people expect you to emerge. Last year he averaged 12 PPG as a starter, and this year he averaged 16-17 PPG with consistantcy. He's only going to get better IMO at the age of 25, and he can do just more than score. He's no Dampier.
Another Dampier? No chance. Like Banks said, Damp was considerably older than Simmons when he "broke out" (29). Simmons is really on the rise, I hope the Clippers put forth the effort to lock him up, he's quite a talent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">Can you guys see the Clippers taking someone like Antoine Wright in the draft, just in case Sterling has a feeling that Simmons won't be back in a Clips uni net season?</div> Even if the Clippers re-sign Simmons, I think Wright would still be on the radar. The Clips need outside shooting, and adding depth and athleticism never hurt. The Clips also need a real SG, as Maggette though capable is not really a SG, and Simmons is a SF himself. The problem is that the starting lineup really has only one player [the PG] who is a playmaker and a ball handler. Wright would be a good addition as he has the outside shooting, though he doesn't really have the secondary ball handling abilities, and I'm not too sure about the passing, he could he useful as a G/F backup off the bench.
