This might be the most highlight worthy series starting this weekend. Both of these teams have a lot of promise and we'll see who shows up.
Grizzlies: This was the darling team that made lots of noise last year plowing through the Western Conference playoffs. The beef up front in Gasol and Randolph cause enough problems of their own, but this team now has Rudy Gay back to go along with the rest of this solid team. They have a stopper in Tony Allen, a bench guy that can score when needed in OJ Mayo, and we're hoping that we get a chance to see the artist formerly known as Agent 0. This Grizzlies team is just starting to catch some momentum with the return of Randolph and will be a tough out for the Clippers.
Who has to step up:
Mike Conley. This is going to be a match up based on tempo. The Grizzlies can run, but they are best with their bigs dominating the Clippers bigs. Conley will have to control that tempo and keep the Clippers (Paul) from pushing for all of those highlight finishes by the Clippers.
Clippers:
The Clippers are in the playoffs!!!! Let's celebrate that for a moment. The early season trade that brought them Chris Paul is paying dividends and I even like the pick up of Nick Young who gives them some height and scoring in the backcourt. We all know about Griffin and Jordan and the dunks, but I think the Clippers are going to have to perform in the half court because this is the playoffs. This should be a very good series.
Who has to step up:
Caron Butler and Kenyon Martin. Butler has got to show up big time for this Clippers team. Foye, Paul, and Williams can shoot the 3 ball to provide some space, but I think Butler is going to have to put someone on the block and make them guard him from there. This is why the Clippers got Kenyon Martin for this playoff run. He's going to have to rebound and play the enforcer for this team if they hope to win this series. He can't let people just take Blake Griffin down like they have been doing. But Martin can't get thrown out either.
Outcome: This is a tough one, heart says Clippers, head says Grizzlies. I got the Clippers in 7.
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Clippers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Clippers. Show all posts
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Thursday, February 24, 2011
There Goes the Baron
Well, Baron Davis sure enjoyed the return trip to LA LA land while it lasted. No more throwing oops to the young stud, Blake Griffin and no more great weather. The Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a trade with the particulars below.
Los Angeles Clippers
Get: Mo Williams and Jamario Moon
Cleveland Cavaliers
Get: Baron Davis and the Clippers 2011 1st round pick
My take on the Clippers: Good move in moving a normally fickle point guard for a younger, maybe less fickle version. Mo Williams has been crying in his milk every since LBJ left and didn't take him with him and now he's on a team with a chance (how often is that said about the Clippers?). Not only do the Clippers get younger at the PG spot, but they get a pretty serviceable Jamario Moon, who should provide some benefit at the SF spot, and they save some money (Baron was owed close to $26M+). They do give up their pick in next years draft, but honestly who would you take IF you had the #1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft?
My take on the Cavaliers: Be glad you got the draft pick because I doubt that Baron is going to play worth a isht. I think he'll be mad that he went from the Clippers to a worse team and he won't be in any KIA spot with Blake Griffin. Hey, at least he'll get a nice fat paycheck for the next two years and then he can go back home and make more movies. I asked the question above about who do you take IF you have the #1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but the Cavaliers are looking at taking probably half of the draft as they try to rebuild their team. They just need a PG, a SG, a SF, and a PF or C, and some bench players. How many picks have they gotten thus far?
What's your take on this move? Baron is probably the only person more upset than Deron Williams. Worst case is he'll get his money and be made for a few years. I think a few million a year (and he's getting that and more) could tide me over during those rough times.
Los Angeles Clippers
Get: Mo Williams and Jamario Moon
Cleveland Cavaliers
Get: Baron Davis and the Clippers 2011 1st round pick
My take on the Clippers: Good move in moving a normally fickle point guard for a younger, maybe less fickle version. Mo Williams has been crying in his milk every since LBJ left and didn't take him with him and now he's on a team with a chance (how often is that said about the Clippers?). Not only do the Clippers get younger at the PG spot, but they get a pretty serviceable Jamario Moon, who should provide some benefit at the SF spot, and they save some money (Baron was owed close to $26M+). They do give up their pick in next years draft, but honestly who would you take IF you had the #1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft?
My take on the Cavaliers: Be glad you got the draft pick because I doubt that Baron is going to play worth a isht. I think he'll be mad that he went from the Clippers to a worse team and he won't be in any KIA spot with Blake Griffin. Hey, at least he'll get a nice fat paycheck for the next two years and then he can go back home and make more movies. I asked the question above about who do you take IF you have the #1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but the Cavaliers are looking at taking probably half of the draft as they try to rebuild their team. They just need a PG, a SG, a SF, and a PF or C, and some bench players. How many picks have they gotten thus far?
What's your take on this move? Baron is probably the only person more upset than Deron Williams. Worst case is he'll get his money and be made for a few years. I think a few million a year (and he's getting that and more) could tide me over during those rough times.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Where does Melo go?
Carmelo Anthony is doing his best to force his way out of Denver. He can opt out of his contract at the end of the upcoming year and we all know he won’t be winning any titles in Denver anytime soon. Today there is speculation that there is a 4 team deal that will bring Melo to the Nets. We’ll take a look at that proposed deal and talk about other possible teams that are interested in the Denver Nuggets star.
Proposed Trade:
New Jersey Nets get – Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
Charlotte Bobcats get – Devin Harris (NJN)
Utah Jazz get – Boris Diaw (CHA)
Denver Nuggets get – Derrick Favors (NJN) and Andrei Kirilenko (UTA) plus picks
Fallout:
New Jersey Nets – You give up your point guard in Harris and you give up your prize rookie for Carmelo. What is a top 5 NBA player worth? Maybe that’s the better question. If you make this move, you are essentially the Denver team of the East. You could compare the two easily: B. Lopez/Nene (even), T. Murphy/Andersen (Nets), A. Morrow/J.R. Smith (even, lean Nets), J. Farmar/C. Billups (slight edge to Nuggets). For what you’re giving up, I think the Nets have to make this move.
Charlotte Bobcats – You get to give up Boris Diaw who’s desire has been openly questioned? And you get Devin Harris at really the same money? Done!! Do this deal today and twice on Sunday. You get a point guard (distributor), which is something that this team has needed for years. If this deal happens, I can imagine that Shaun Livingston may be shown the door.
Utah Jazz – You get Boris Diaw who’s desire has been openly questioned, but who happens to also be a great facilitator for a big man. The system that the Jazz run is more closely in line with the type of player they’ll get. On top of that the Jazz will get $5M. That’s not part of the deal, it’s just that Kirilenko’s salary is presently putting the Jazz in luxury tax threshold. Taking away AK’s $17.8M from the Jazz and they will save about $5M and get the $5M payout. For a small market team, $5M is $5M. Do this deal today.
Denver Nuggets – You lose Carmelo, but you get more than what the Cavs got for LBJ. You get Favors, a young big that can be your power forward of the future and you pair him with Nene and that’s something to build on. Add Kirilenko, and you have an expiring contract that you can use to bring in a point guard after you do Billups a favor and trade him out of Denver too. You’ll also get picks, probably from Charlotte and the Nets. Do the deal.
Other possible destinations:
Chicago Bulls – This one is pretty much dead with the Bulls not wanting to include Noah in the deal. I for one can’t blame them. Noah is their emotional leader and the Bulls should be pretty good without Melo. But, Melo is arguably a top 5 NBA talent.
Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Kaman and some change for Melo? I think that Nene and Kaman would be duplicating big men, but it’s available for the taking. This works very well for the Clippers if they only gave up Kaman and some small change or picks.
Where do you think Melo should go? Should he just ride it out in Denver and then pick his new team, ala LBJ? Or should he try and get his new deal now under the present collective bargaining agreement (more money)?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
NBA Trade - Portland Trailblazers and Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trailblazers have worked out a deal to send Marcus Camby to the Blazers for Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. The deal should be completed by the end of the day today but should eventually help both teams.
The Clippers will get rid of Camby which will give them a more traditional PF with Craig Smith or Blake Griffin (when healthy) in that role. By bringing in Outlaw, they get someone who can fill the SF spot over Rasual Butler and provide some punch right away. Outlaw has show streaks of brilliance while with the Blazers coming off the bench. Steve Blake will come in and be able to give Baron Davis a rest without missing a beat on offense.
The Blazers get Camby is a veteran leader and may be able to get these young Blazers to focus on the playoffs (and more) by being the man in the middle. He may want to get some insurance though because their men in the middle haven’t fared well this season. I’ll look forward to the Blazers defense picking it up a little and making them an interesting team come playoff time.
Grade:
Clippers - B – They get rid of Camby’s contract and they get a young scorer in Outlaw. Steve Blake is a helluva throw in because he can run a team as your backup point guard.
Blazers - B – They get a veteran leader who can possibly help them bridge the gap for a center for the remainder of the year. As long as Camby doesn’t take any of those ugly jumpers from the top of the key, this works great.
The Clippers will get rid of Camby which will give them a more traditional PF with Craig Smith or Blake Griffin (when healthy) in that role. By bringing in Outlaw, they get someone who can fill the SF spot over Rasual Butler and provide some punch right away. Outlaw has show streaks of brilliance while with the Blazers coming off the bench. Steve Blake will come in and be able to give Baron Davis a rest without missing a beat on offense.
The Blazers get Camby is a veteran leader and may be able to get these young Blazers to focus on the playoffs (and more) by being the man in the middle. He may want to get some insurance though because their men in the middle haven’t fared well this season. I’ll look forward to the Blazers defense picking it up a little and making them an interesting team come playoff time.
Grade:
Clippers - B – They get rid of Camby’s contract and they get a young scorer in Outlaw. Steve Blake is a helluva throw in because he can run a team as your backup point guard.
Blazers - B – They get a veteran leader who can possibly help them bridge the gap for a center for the remainder of the year. As long as Camby doesn’t take any of those ugly jumpers from the top of the key, this works great.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Other Shoe Drops
Ok, now I get it. The New York Knicks have sent Zach Randolph to the Los Angeles Clippers for Tim Thomas and some change. The story is still evolving, but this makes the first deal of the day by the Knicks a lot more palatable. The Knicks finally got rid of one of their albatrosses and I'm really not concerned about the fact that they got Tim 'I'll play when it's my contract year only' Thomas. Donnie Walsh may be the best mind in basketball or he's a Jedi (and thus the Jedi mind tricks) or something. How can people continue to be had on these kinds of deals?
Los Angeles Clippers - They need someone who can score in the paint. Marcus Camby shooting that horrific looking jumper doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Now the Clippers can get rid of Kaman for a two guard if they in fact include Mobley in this deal. I am not a fan of Zach, but he can score.
New York Knicks - Hey they get rid of Randolph's salary and a chance at putting themselves in a position to get LBJ. With Jefferson on board they are making this team look more and more like a Mike D'Antoni team that runs up and down the floor. (Smiling) The Knicks are going to make the playoffs and cause some people problems. Mark it down.
Was this a good trade? Who came out on top of this one? Is Walsh a Jedi?
Los Angeles Clippers - They need someone who can score in the paint. Marcus Camby shooting that horrific looking jumper doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Now the Clippers can get rid of Kaman for a two guard if they in fact include Mobley in this deal. I am not a fan of Zach, but he can score.
New York Knicks - Hey they get rid of Randolph's salary and a chance at putting themselves in a position to get LBJ. With Jefferson on board they are making this team look more and more like a Mike D'Antoni team that runs up and down the floor. (Smiling) The Knicks are going to make the playoffs and cause some people problems. Mark it down.Was this a good trade? Who came out on top of this one? Is Walsh a Jedi?
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