Fizer’s Take: Los Angeles Clippers

What comes into your mind when you hear the names of Chris Tucker, Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence and Adam Sandler? Yes, they are comedians. Comedians make you laugh right? Movies like the Rush Hour trilogy, Click, Happy Gilmore, Down To Earth and a lot lot more makes me laugh all the time. All of us need to laugh at certain times. It’s not all serious and uptight all the time The NBA is no exception. They are loaded with players and teams that are considered laughing stocks. One major laughing stock in the NBA has always been the Clippers. Ah… Yes… The LA Clippers… I am not talking bout the Braves, the Clippers of San Diego but I am talking about the LAC. They are considered as one of the worst franchises in the history having to appear in more lottery draws than anything. The team is still searching for the magic that brought them deep in the 2006 playoffs but with Elton Brand gone, hopes are a little dim. Baron Davis decided to come home in hopes of turning this team around just like what he did with the Warriors last 2007. The Clippers did everything they could to surround Davis with players that can help him. Guys like Marcus Camby was brought in, Ricky Davis who can get buckets, Jason WIlliams (though he retired after being signed), and Chris Kaman are some of the players whom the Clippers hope to cash in in a shot at a playoff spot. Plus they drafted scoring machine Eric Gordon with the 7th pick so the Clips have a reason to be optimistic last season. I agree with Marcus Camby’s statement that “on paper, (the Clippers) are a playoff team and should have been winning more.” But that was just on paper… because the Clippers never found their groove throughout the season. Baron Davis was looking more for his shots rather than his teammates, injuries to Kaman and Camby brought them apart and trading Cuttino and Tim Thomas for Zach Randolph only makes them a little better. Thus the team fell apart throughout the season. I even read one article stating how angry Don Sterling was at his team scolding them in the locker room. That was pretty tough having a team who could have been better but instead falter in more ways than one. The Clippers had the 3rd worst record in the league and were back to a familiar place, in the lottery.

The Clippers were lottery bound once again and they prepared themselves for at least the 3rd pick or the 6th pick in the draft ready to take James Harden or Hasheem Thabeet or Tyreke Evans with any of those picks. But lo and behold, the Clippers shocked the world by having the first pick overall. Many fans (including us here) poked fun at the Clippers ever since they drafted ultimate bust Michael Olowokandi during the 1998 season when guys like Vince Carter, Mike Bibby and Antawn Jamison were available. I remember telling my friends, “With the first pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Tyler Hansbrough… or John Bryant… or whoever I feel making fun of at the top pick…” I remember somebody saying the Clippers will pass on the first pick… Those were the days. But with people already smarter and the Clippers no longer blind, they took Oklahoma sensation Blake Griffin for the first overall pick. How could they miss out on such a prospect? They didn’t. And thy are hoping that their nightmare years are over. They are trying to relive the 2006 season where they had a deep run at the playoffs led by EB. The future may be brighter for the perennial NBA doormats as they are now focusing on the development of their newfound potential All-Star.

The Clippers have made interesting moves so far this coming season. The first good move they made was trading away ZeBo to the Memphis Grizzlies for QRich as many critics said that he’s going to hurt the development of Blake. Plus it gives more space to develop not just Griffin but their young prospect in DeAndre Jordan. The Clippers also made some ballsy moves by getting Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith and Mark Madsen in exchange for Q Richardson. Telf can definitely provide solid back up for Baron Davis. The Clippers also improved their perimeter shooting by getting Rasual Butler from the Hornets in exchange for $8 and a dime (second round pick). Can the Clippers transform themselves from a laugher to a serious playoff contender? Are they good enough to make it in the postseason? Will Blake Griffin make a good impact better than what’s expected from him? Will Baron Davis fulfill his dream of transforming a low franchise to a respected one? Will there be another Don Sterling shoutout? Ohhh.. It’s certainly a bright future for the Clippers who have always been number two behind the defending champs the Lakers in terms of NBA Popularity in LA.

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NBA Draft Grade: A-

NBA Offseason Grade: B+

Predicted W-L: 40-42