The presence of EB and Shaun late in the season would be positive, no matter what. Noah Graham (NBAE/Getty Images) Ralph's Mailbag

Ralph,

You do a great job and I have enjoyed your call of Clippers games for more than 20 years!

Do you think if this team has good chemistry and is in the hunt for a playoff spot at the end of the season, it might be better to not have Shaun and EB? That way they can recover better and the cohesiveness of the team stays in tact.

Michael,

Are you the Michael V. from… ? Oh, never mind.

Seriously, I don’t see any scenario where the team would be better off not to have Brand and Livingston. Their role would likely not be the same as it has been in the past, but their presence would be positive, no matter what.

- Ralph

When the Clippers drafted Thornton I was disappointed at first. But once EB got injured I started to think the move was genius. Do you think the Clippers drafted Thornton in case EB got injured or left next season or was it because of his athleticism?

Taylor,

I don’t think it had anything to do with Elton Brand. They saw him work out in Phoenix the day before the draft and he was sensational. Al Thornton was the target on the day of the draft, but the basketball staff feared he’d be gone before the Clippers picked at #14. There was a loud cheer in the draft room when it became apparent that the FSU star was going to be available.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I've been a basketball fan for 41 years, since I was eight. My computer-like mind says that makes me 49! I've been a Clipper fan since they moved to LA.

My question (or comment) is this: I remember as a kid getting autographs at the Forum as a kid. I still have the autographs of Elgin Baylor, Happy Hairston, Jerry West, Mel Counts, and Phil Jackson, amongst others. It really made me a fan for life, knowing that I'd met these players in person. Today, I don't see the players as accessible as they were. I know it is a different time and all, but I still think this would help the fans (the young ones especially) bond to the team and game for life. Is there anywhere I can take my son to get autographs of the Clippers? Thanks!

Joe,

Sadly, times have changed. Security is such a big issue in these days. Our guys are very cooperative and open to fans requests. The best bet is to get to the arena early. Doors open at 6:15. If you can get down to the Northeast corner of the building, the players enter and exit the court there and are more than happy to sign for the early arriving fans. Other than that, keep an eye and an ear open to be aware of player appearances on off-days. We appreciate your long allegiance to our team.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I was truly blown away by the referee scandal with Tim Donaghy. How will this scandal affect the NBA as a whole going forward. I wouldn't think this helps the case for Las Vegas getting an NBA franchise, but what steps is the NBA taking to prevent a repeat of what happened? Has anyone questioned a specific game he refereed?

Thanks.

Robert,

The league has been proactive in dealing with the Donaghy issue. Every ref in the league has been put under a microscope. If anything, this one bad rogue referee may have helped assure fans that the games will be honestly officiated in the future. There is tremendous pressure on the remaining referees to play it straight. They’ll be watched so closely that there is virtually no chance of a repeat of what Tim Donaghy did over the past couple of seasons.

- Ralph

I knew when whoever drafted Al Thornton would get a steal! Seeing him grow and mature at FSU, you will not get a harder worker in a man. This kid will be a star for years to come!

Joe,

Well said. I could not agree more. He’s the best looking rookie the Clippers have had since Lamar Odom in 1999 or Danny Manning in 1988.

- Ralph

With Elton Brand out, do you think that Thornton and Paul Davis can get a chance to develop that they might not have had if Elton was healthy? I'm just looking for a silver lining!

Davis

Thornton

Joe,

Silver or not, that is the reality. Thornton is a young scoring machine. He’ll certainly get extra minutes in EB’s absence. Davis has been one of the month’s most pleasant surprises. He’s made giant strides since in rookie season. If he plays like this, he’ll get minutes, for sure.

- Ralph

With Shaun having the successful surgery that he did, what will be the timetable for his return?

Livingston

Ashton,

The best bet would be January or February. He’s doing well, but he still has a long way to go.

- Ralph

I recently heard that the Clippers did not offer Shaun a contract extension after this year. So Shaun plays for them, blows out his knee for them goes through all this rehab for them and they pay him back by pretty much cutting him before he can even show he made a full recovery? I don't get it.

Jerry,

You’re right, you don’t get it. The Clippers will have the opportunity to make a "qualifying" offer to Shaun after the season. That would give them the right to match any offer he might get next summer as a restricted free agent. They certainly did not "pretty much cut him." The hope is that he makes a full recovery and returns this season. The club would like nothing better than to sign Livingston to a long term contract at season’s end.

- Ralph

Cassell

Do you think that the Clippers are going to offer Sam an extension or just let him go?

Ramiro,

Sam’s play and health this season will determine his fate next season. From what I’ve seen this month, he still has fuel in his tank even though he’s approaching his 38th birthday. It would be great if he could finish his career with the Clippers.

- Ralph

Diaz

Hey Ralph, do you see Diaz making the roster? I really like his game and it would be a shame to lose him....

Forrest,

We’ve had several questions about this exciting young player from Puerto Rico. He has NBA talent and athleticism and he’s had some very good moments during the pre-season. The problem is finding a roster spot for him. The league allows only 15 players and that includes Brand and Livingston who are injured.

- Ralph

Al Thornton was a fan favorite at FSU. I know he will put on a show for the Clipper fans. When do you think we can buy the #12 jersey? GO CLIPPERS!

Glynn,

You are not the first to ask and I have good news: Thornton’s jersey #12 will be available at the LA Team Store at Staples Center on opening night Nov. 2 when the Clippers face the Golden State Warriors. You’ll be able to get it online shortly thereafter. I think it’s going to be a big seller.

- Ralph

Livingston

Hi Ralph,

I read in an Art Thompson article (writer from the OC Register) that Shaun Livingston is sneaking around dunking? Is he just progressing faster than is being reported? How strict have the trainers been on him?

Also, who in the organization are you most likely to be seen hanging out with?

Jason,

1. I have seen Shaun dunk which is totally unexpected at this point of his recovery and certainly a little outside of the limits placed on his rehab program. He’s a young colt who is anxious to run in the wind again and the training staff keeps a close eye on him to make sure he avoids any backward steps.

2. My wife, sweet Jo, often travels with me, but I or we generally hang with members of our broadcast team or TV crew. Sometimes we’ll have dinner with some of the coaches. Honestly, there is not a whole lot of time for hanging out on the road. We are busy traveling and getting ready for the next game.

Ralph,

Great seeing you at Golden State. I am seeing many more fast break points with Thornton and Patterson getting fed by newcomers Knight and Dickau. What do you think?

David,

This team is learning to run after being more of a half-court team in recent years. It’s a process and they’ll get better and better at it as time goes on. The team has some finishers on the break … Thornton, Patterson and Maggette among them.

- Ralph

Ralph,

I heard that Elton Brand wasn’t coming back until the All-Star break. Is it possible to see him in action some time before the new year? Appreciate it, Ralph! YOU’RE THE BEST!!!

Gil,

I can not imagine how EB could possibly return before the New Year, but he’s working very hard on his rehab from the surgery and his doctors seem pleased with his progress to date. I still think the All-Star break is a reasonable target.

- Ralph

Ralph,

G. Diaz had some dazzling passes in Thursday's game. Give me some history on him and does he look like the second 1-guard off the bench to you? I have sat center court second row behind you at the games for the last 12 years, thanks for all the good work.

Art,

Guillermo is in a tough spot. He’s a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. While he can make some good passes, he’s really programmed to score the ball himself. I think of him as a more athletic Eddie House.

He’d pair well with a big point guard like Shaun Livingston. Diaz faces a daunting numbers game with the Clippers. 15 roster spots available and 15 players ahead of him are assured of spots. However, if he continues his excellent play this month, there’s always the remote possibility of some restructuring of the current roster.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

I was wondering what might happen to Brand and Maggette either after this year or next year. I was wondering if either were interested in staying with the Clippers. It worries me since Corey Maggette supposedly denied an earlier extension that was offered.

Brand

Maggette

Corey,

I truly believe both players would like to extend with the Clippers and finish their careers here. Corey’s rejection of the Clips maximum allowable offer was strictly a business decision. He and his people believe he can make more next summer when competition might drive up his price. I fully expect Corey to exercise his right to opt-out.

Elton Brand is another story. His injury and the fact he stands to make $16 million in 2008-09, make his decision next summer less clear-cut. Bottom line, the Clippers can make better offers for either or both players than any other team in the league.

- Ralph

We reserve the right to edit your question for the sake of brevity or clarity.

Email:
Full Name:
Hometown/State:
Question:

By clicking on the "Send Message" button above, you agree that all materials you submit become available for unrestricted use by NBA.com and waive all rights to them. Submissions will not be returned. Please review the NBA.com's Terms of Use if you have any questions regarding making submissions.