I'm starting this thread in order to revive some of the careers of former Clipper players who never got the recognition they deserved. I'll start with former Clipper power forward Michael Cage. Michael Cage - PF Los Angeles Clipper 1984-1988 *1st round pick - 14th overall by Clippers in 1984 *Won NBA rebounding title in '86-87 (11.5) & '87-88 (13.0) *Grabbed 30 rebounds in final game of the '87-88 to clinch the 2nd of his back-to-back rebounding crowns. Michael Jerome Cage is one of the most forgotten Clipper players from the past. Though only a Clipper for his first four NBA seasons, Cage won his first two NBA rebounding titles with the team in the 1986-87 and 1987-88, posting season averages of 11.5 and 13.0 RPG. Though it appeared Michael would be a key fixture in the Clipper's future, he was subsequently shipped to the Seattle Supersonics following the '87-88 campaign in exchange for guard Gary Grant and a future 1st round pick. Cage played six seasons in Seattle without missing a game, but never quite achieved the same stastistical success he enjoyed with the Clippers. He played out the remainder of his career in brief stints with Cleveland, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Known as a hard-nosed rebounder and post presence, he retired after 15 years of NBA service with career averages of 7.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG and a .515 FG% Do you remember him?
Loy Vaught is often a forgotten Clipper...In the mid 90's he was their best player...In his prime, he was a 17 and 10 guy who even helped the Clippers make the playoffs...He had one bad injury, was traded, and was never the same player again...He played a total of 8 seasons with the Clippers and 11 seasons overall...His career averages were 10.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Loy Vaught is often a forgotten Clipper...In the mid 90's he was their best player...In his prime, he was a 17 and 10 guy who even helped the Clippers make the playoffs...He had one bad injury, was traded, and was never the same player again...He played a total of 8 seasons with the Clippers and 11 seasons overall...His career averages were 10.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg...</div> You got that right man, Loy Vaught was a great forgotten Clipper. I was going to go with him first, but thought I would go back a bit further and start with Cage. I'm glad you brought him up though, too bad the injuries ended his career prematurely, he was a stand-up guy who gave a great effort every night and never complained. As you mentioned in your Clipper trivia, that baseline J was money! Number 35 is still one of my favorite Clipps.
I remember my pops telling me somethin about this cat. He may have not been the most talented player out there, but was a decent contributor on offense, and was a monster on the boards. His best years with the Clippers were his last two, in which he averaged a double double in both of those years. After he was traded to Seattle, he was still a decent player, but never regained the his type of game that he played with LA. Then after that he floated around the NBA like a lots of other players do and made a familiar name. I also remember SLAM doing an article about him, I think it was that same exact picture and everything, pretty interesting, even though I didn't really know enough about basketball yet when he was on the Clips, because I was so young. But yes, I remember him.
