[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I just finished watching the Clippers vs Warriors game and I have a a few predictions:

1. I’ve said that the Clippers will be the 8th seed in the playoffs. I’d like to change that. I think they have a legit shot at the 6th or 7th seed. I’m not for sure if they’ll be a better team than the Jazz, but I feel they’ll be better than the Hornets.

2. Blake Griffin is BY FAR the best rookie in his class and will win rookie of the year hands down. There isn’t another rookie that’s as ready to play as he is. He is an ELITE rebounder right now. He simply does not give up on any play. He is also better on defense than people give him credit for. He has a very high IQ and picks things up quickly. He’ll be an elite power forward very soon. His energy, aggressiveness, toughness and passion for the game are at an elite level right now.

3. Baron Davis is back. He lost 30 pounds this summer. He has his swag back and is getting after it defensively. He’s also getting his teammates involved. He’s in the best shape he’s probably ever been in his entire career.

4. Rasual Butler will start at small forward over Al Thornton. He’s a sensational shooter and can also put the ball on the floor. He’s spreads the floor. Butler played great tonight. You cannot leave him open or even give him space to shoot.

5. I’d like to change one of my statements in an earlier post. I think that DeAndre Jordan has more upside than both Javalee McGee and Brook Lopez. Jordan didn’t play much tonight, but I think he has the potential to be dominate in the post on both ends.

6. I’d also like to change an earlier statement in which I said that I’d take OJ Mayo over Eric Gordon in regard to max potential. I’m going with Eric Gordon. I think he’ll be a better scorer than Mayo due to his ability to shoot, get to the free-throw line AND finish through traffic at the rim. Gordon is stronger, more athletic and explosive. I’m going with him.

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

great post. i agree with all of it, except we will have to about if rasual keeps it going and if thornton gets better. with al being the young guy, its his starting spot to lose. however, as much as the clippers played unbelievably in the 2nd half, they played like the worst team in the nba in the first half. that is also a thing to keep an eye on, on a game to game basis like the butler situation. butler had a terrible first game keep in mind. also, griffin looked flat out amazing. he made corey maggettee seem weak with his overpowering play. he also made one block that was great although many say he doesn’t get many blocks. also, i think that jon lucas was key part of this victory. he is probably the one who inspired baron to play like he did in the 2nd half. great addition by the clips. keep in mind the clips played without telfair (had a great clipper debut), craig smith, and deandre jordan (because they just didn’t need him in the 2nd half.) i still want to see consistency before i proclaim them to be a definite playoff team tho.

[llperez]

Agree with all except Deandre having more potential then Brook. Brook has a huge offensive skill set for a center. He is above average athleticly. I think the clipps trade Jordan for Brook in heartbeat if given the opportunity.

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

^i don’t think they would. lopez is like kaman and the clips want a defensive guy for the future to complement griffin. no need for lopez. i think the lopez jordan argument is premature right now. both are just starting out and have not showed all that they can do yet.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

The Clippers played terrible in the 1st half. They came out flat. I think the 2nd half is what we’ll see during the regular season though. They got after it defensively in the 3rd quarter led by Davis destroying Ellis. IF the 2nd half play is what we see during the regular season, then I feel they could be the 6th-7th seed. You’re right though… We need to see consistency. I’m just excited at the possibilities. Kaman is finally healthy and in shape… He looks great. All of the players look great and focused.

Griffin looked amazing. His energy alone is going to help this team. Like I said, he simply doesn’t give up on any play. He’s the kind of player who won’t need to score to have an impact. He’ll rebound, get lose balls and play defense. They NEED a player like him. He’ll make them a different team. Add him to an in shape and motivated Baron Davis and this team will be good. Lucas is definitely having an impact on Davis and the rest of the players.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Thornton is the younger player, but he’s a ball movement stopper. I just think that Butler brings better shooting and spacing to the table. I agree though… The spot is Thornton’s to lose. I think Thornton would be better in the 2nd unit though. That way he could get more shots and isolate the way he likes.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

although i like him and i think he fits with the clips well, thornton isnt going to get any better… hes like 27… i just dont see it…. he entered the draft as a senior…

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

Funny thing was that Gordon was kinda off tonight,besides the first quarter,and threw up 22 points with ease…One of the quitest 20 plus game youll see in awhile

Also as nasty as that Blake Griffin blocked shot was(was it on Morrow?) he probably should of been called for goal tending…but him and Baron really bring a great energy to this team and his motor is non stop!

[Chicago1980Participant]

I watched that game too and they looked pretty good in the 2nd half I really like Griffin and rasual butler is a big addition they had a good team last year but with all the injuries that they had its hard to win I really like this team but they are the clippers and i think that they made the playoffs like twice in the last 15 years so we will have to wait and see.

[the microwaveParticipant]

I actually agree with you almost all the way.. Except I feel this one statement is RIDICULOUS.

5. I’d like to change one of my statements in an earlier post. I think that DeAndre Jordan has more upside than both Javalee McGee and Brook Lopez. Jordan didn’t play much tonight, but I think he has the potential to be dominate in the post on both ends. (not a chance. Lopez will be much better, and i dont think Jordan will touch McGees Potential)

[PureshooterParticipant]

I didn’t know Davis lost 30 pounds. He must be pretty cut right now. That could really make a big difference in his explosiveness and endurance.

[quincey hodges]

yeah the jordan lopez derbate isnt a debate yet because lopez is clearly better then jordan right now..athletically jordan has him but skill wise and production its not even close..jordan is down the list as far as young centers right now in his class…lopez then hibbert as far as skills..jordan might be last as far as skills..and id still take oj over mayo for a couple of reason but the main one being how every one who is important raves about his work ethic, which on top of his ability makes him potenially very good

[sheltwon3Participant]

Thorton may get traded because Rasual Butler is playing is tail off and he is perimeter shooting would fit better in the starting unit. The Clippers would be wise to move. Kaman and Thorton for some 4 or 5 year experience vets and some draft picks in what could be another strong draft. Jordan has more potential than Lopez but right now Lopez is the more polished of the two but not Center but Oden maybe has more potential McGee. He is a athletic and body wise and length wise a freak and if he gains so more weight and strength to add to his already not so bad post moves and turn around jumper, he will be scary. I think Jordan may reach a great portion of his potential than McGee though.

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

Why move kaman and thornton? they already have a stacked team so there is no need to move them for bench players or picks when they already are bench players themselves and they are young players so trading them for young players (picks) would do them no good.

pg: baron davis , sebastian telfair
sg: eric gordon, ricky davis
sf: rasual butler, al thornton
pf: marcus camby, blake griffin, craig smith
c: chris kaman, deandre jordan

why change it?

[GreenLanternParticipant]

If Davis, Griffin and Gordon play at least 70 to 75 games each, the Clips can make the playoffs.

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

griffin 23 pts, 7 rbs through 23 minutes of play vs. spurs!

[quincey hodges]

blake played nice..i think blair is the best rebounding rookie this year by a land slide

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

griffin averaged 14 rpg in college most in ncaa as a sophomore, blair was older. how can u make a case for that?

[quincey hodges]

because this isnt college. millsap lead college in rebounding three straight years. just like people talk about how good griffen i doing in the preseason blair has been the best rebounders of all the rookies by far so its not a stretch to say hes the best rebounder against nba players…and age has nothing to do with it

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

keep in mind that the spurs have 0 rebounding other than him when he is in the game… griffin has kaman, camby, smith, jordan… blair doesn’t play with duncan or mcdyess. griffin has the best box out technique of all the rookies.

[quincey hodges]

damn i it really that hard for you to give any one else there props?..you seem to wanna make every excuse you can think of for a player other then a clipper doing well..if anything that is worst for him because he has to rebound over the other team big men while getting now help. theres is no denying that he is a very good rebounder and the best rebounding rookie so far reguardless how much you wanna try to hate on him. dont matter who has the best boxing out techniques ..and im guessing you havent watched the spurs game but i have and he gets boards when duncan is in or out of the game..other pf dont have a duncan on there team yet they arent rebounding as well as blair

[AirJuggernaut]

http://deadspin.com/5263277/the-sordid-life-of-clippers-owner-donald-sterling

Only God can judge him, however, I’m afraid ):(

[lalailaParticipant]

Yes Blair looks like grown man, but hey he is also sophmore he is also 1989 and DeJuan is even 1month younger LOL 🙂

and for rebounding, yes Blake is very good but they are AT LEAST in the same category, Blake avg 14rbs in 33mins DeJuan 12rbs in just 27 mins he was 2nd in reb/40 so your arguments about college isn’t true

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’d say they’re about equal in terms of rebounding.

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

but you have to give the edge to D Blair right now…this isnt college like what was said above and thru the preseason Blair has been a monster on the glass

[MkadozaParticipant]

Eric Gordon is going to absolutely explode this year. He’ll probably always be compared to Mayo because of the draft class, but Eric Gordon, as I have felt for a while, has the potential to be a beast. His strength, athleticism, body control is Dwayne Wade-esque, and his jump shot is as smooth as it gets. His long arms make up for his height, but I said it before, if Eric Gordon was 2-3 inches taller, he would have challenged Rose for the top overall pick. He has everything you look for in a SG except height, but his skills will make that a moot point.

As for Blake, the only thing that can stop him from winning Rookie of the Year is minutes… but when Camby gets hurt, it shouldnt be an issue.

And DeAndre Jordan was way way way undervalued in the draft. He has a TON of potential, and already is one of the best finishers around the basket. So much so that you’d much rather foul him than let him get a shot off. He has the size (freaky wingspan, athleticism (despite combine measurements), and touch to be extremely good. Just because ones stock falls doesnt mean you arent the player you used to be. If he works hard at it, he can be a force in the league. He was a projected top 5 pick for a reason.

[AirJuggernaut]

the Gilbert Arenas comparisons
both 6’3
both 220
both play below the rim

PS
Eric Gordon was the 8th most efficient shooting guard in the league last year as a rookie

where art thou OJ?

[Author]

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