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All-Rookie First Team would be a more reasonable goal for Thornton.
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posted by Ralph Lawler | November 7 @ 11:06 am Blair Charles Dodson from Tallahassee, FL writes... I’m wondering if people in L.A. and Clipper nation understand just how good Al Thornton can be right away. I went to every home college game he ever played at Florida State and he is a superstar. He will have some tough times, every rookie does. But he dominated every ACC foe and had his biggest games of his career in the most hostile environments (37 at Cameron Indoor, enough said). Beat Florida, by himself. He has so much ability on offense and is the most athletic and explosive player I have EVER seen in ACC games in Tallahassee (dunked over Wisconsin 7 ft center nasty Vince Carter style!). I’m a new Clips fan, but I think Rookie of the Year is VERY reasonable. Do you agree? Blair, I think All-Rookie First Team would be a more reasonable goal. Kevin Durant is going to get a ton of playing time up in Seattle. If he stays healthy he’ll be a unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. Al had some big games in the pre-season and once he slows down a little, I expect him to help the Clippers a lot this season. - Ralph
Alex from Orange County, CA writes... Hey Ralph, I know the key to the Clippers' success so far this year. On the eve of the opener, I slept in my Clipper pajamas that my family got me for father's day. I've slept in them every night and haven't as yet washed them. So, until they lose, I'm going to keep wearing them and not wash them. I hope my wife doesn't mind. Go Clippers. Alex, If this winning streak continues Waste Management is going to declare your bedroom a toxic waste dump. - Ralph
Jason from Ontario writes... Hi Ralph, The Clippers are looking good and you and Mike are as sharp as ever. Although, we're amongst the league best in averaging assists, one concern is the Clippers turn the ball over a lot. We had 15 last night against Chicago but it's something we need to keep in check. My question is how extensive are the passing drills in practice? Jason, In as much as the team is averaging 110 points a game, the turnovers are not too much of a concern. Passing is a key part of every offensive drill the team runs in practice. - Ralph
Sam Yarin from Agoura Hills, CA writes... Hey Ralph, So far we've looked pretty good both at home and on the road. I know we will be able to continue playing well even without Brand and Livingston. What do you credit the Clips early season success to?
Two things really: Really solid off-season moves (Knight, Patterson, Dickau, et al) and then some top-notch coaching by Mike Dunleavy and his staff. They made the changes they needed to make in the absence of two star players. They’ve also led to the emergence of center Chris Kaman as a force in this league. - Ralph
Taylor Moxon from Long Beach, CA writes... Hi Ralph, I just wanted to say that I look forward to listening to you all season long. My question is how does the NBA schedule games? Taylor, It is computer driven with major influence from the Television powers: ABC, ESPN and TNT. Once they cherry pick their favorite match-ups, the computers figure in Arena availability, travel logistics and the requirements that each team plays teams in their own division four times, others in their conference either three or four times and all in the opposing conference twice. It is amazing that it comes out as well as it does. In the end, each team plays 82 games, 41 at home and 41 on the road. Somehow, they make it all come out even. - Ralph
Ben Foss from CA writes... Ralph: I love to hear the "Bingo" on threes. When and how did this become part of your announcing lingo? Thanks and keep up the good work. Ben, I guess it’s called “Bingo lingo.” Actually, the Clippers had a player named Bobby “Bingo” Smith on the roster back in the San Diego days. He’d score from deep and I’d yell “Bingo.” He was only around one season, but the term lived on. - Ralph
Karla from Los Angeles, CA writes... The team has a very exciting style of playing and that is why I enjoy watching. I want to see them go to the playoffs. I don’t think as a fan that that’s too much to ask. Karla, They certainly got the season off to an entertaining and exciting start. Believe me, your goal of a spot in the play-offs is matched by every player on the team. I think they have a real shot at it. I truly believe this is a better team than the one that won 40-games last season. - Ralph
Kevin Connolly from Mission Viejo, CA writes... Ralph, Over the past couple of years Mike Smith seems intimidated with your dashing good looks and your dazzling quick wit. My question is, do you think Mike should continue his therapy sessions because they don't seem to be working and appropriate that money to his golf game that sorely needs it? Kevin, At last, an intelligent e-mail. Oh, and the answer is “Yes.” - Ralph
Paul Harris from Memphis, TN writes... Considering Sam Cassell's age of almost 38, how many minutes do you believe he'll be able to play without getting tired legs and losing his wind as the season progresses?
Paul, He says he would like to go 30-minutes a night. Early on, he’s playing less than that as Coach Dunleavy really wants him around for the duration of the season. Sam missed 24-games last year. - Ralph
George Meyers from Kailua, HI writes... Aloha Ralph. Just wanted you to know we are die-hard Clipper fans 2500 miles away. We don't get much news on the Clippers so we wanted to get an update on Shaun Livingston. What is his prognosis and can we expect him back any time soon? Warm aloha, George and Becky Meyers
Shaun is doing very well in his rehab work. Safe to say he’s ahead of schedule. It’s still a long road, but we expect him back no later than mid-season. You have no excuse for not getting Clipper news. FSN Prime Ticket is carried in Maui. You should be able to see at least 45 games this season. - Ralph
Anto Afarian from Los Angeles, CA writes... Dear Ralph, As if your awesome commentating wasn't enough, thanks for hosting a mailbox for questions and answers! I read them all the time. You and Mike are my favorite commentators. I've been a Clipper fan since 2000-2001, and they get more and more exciting to watch. Which match-ups are you most excited to see this year? Team-wise or player-wise. I personally can't wait to see the Clippers take on the Lakers. After three straight seasons of splitting the score, I want the Clips to have a winning season on them! P.S. Thanks for shaking my hand and talking to me at the Clippers vs. Nets game last year... I wanted to ask for your autograph or a picture with you but I didn't want to push it. It meant so much to me! I've always loved hearing you commentate.. you're such an awesome guy. Anto, After all that praise I’ll not only give you an autograph and pose for a photo, I may wash your car and paint your house. Next time you are at a game be sure to stop by and Mike and I will sign and pose all you want. - Ralph
Michael Vaughan from Hawthorne, CA writes... Hey Ralph, I have been a fan of the Clippers even before their great season two years ago. As the sports editor for my school newspaper, I was wondering if you think the Clips will change their style of play, to be more of a running team? Or will they stick with the traditional: slow it down and play good Defense. I think they will turn out to be a running team, because of the loss of Brand, what do you think? Michael, Well, the early indications are that this club will run at every opportunity. I think their new style is really fun to watch. They still want to play tough defense, but their offense has been truly explosive despite losing their leading scorer. - Ralph
Robert from Fountain Valley, CA writes... With all of this mess regarding Kobe Bryant, do you ever wonder what might have happened if he'd signed with us a few years ago? With Brand, Maggette, Bryant, etc, I think we could have been a title contender. Do you think Kobe ever thinks about it?
Certainly I’ve thought about it and I have to think Kobe Bryant has thought about it … a lot. How good would the team have been? They’d be competing for the championship each season. The odd thing is, the Clippers played a big role in the Lakers' present predicament with Bryant. He has the league’s only no-trade clause and he also has a 15% Trade Kicker. Those “plums” were only available to him because the Lakers knew he was about to bolt to the Clips. But, those are the very contract issues that make a trade very difficult to accomplish. The best-case scenario that year would have been for the Lakers to keep Shaq O’Neal and for Bryant to move down the hall to the Clipper locker-room. Just imagine that rivalry! - Ralph
Laura Hernandez from CA writes... Ralph: Assuming Kobe is traded, did the Clippers miss an opportunity to become the star-studded marquee team of LA by declining to trade for A. Iverson? Can you imagine Iverson and Brand? Keep up the great broadcasting (you're the best!!!) and keep M. Smith in his place. Take Care. Laura, I don’t know about that thought. How far did Denver go last year with Iverson, Carmello Anthony and Marcus Camby? The answer is … they were out in five games in the first round just like they were the year before they had A.I. - Ralph
Brian Bogh from San Bernadino, CA writes... Ralph, Your the best, but I strongly disagree with you regarding the Clippers playing at the Honda Center. Not only would the move bring the NBA to a larger fan base, but I think it would increase the Clippers' revenue and status. The Clippers will never be viewed equally to the Laker's while they are playing in the house that Shaq built. Anaheim has shown that they can support an NBA team, if not the Clippers, then someone else. They will never step out of the Lakers shadow while playing in Staples. Sorry Ralph, that is just the truth. Brian, Don’t see how moving from L.A. to Anaheim would bring the team to a larger fan base. Regarding revenue, the deal with the arena in Anaheim was never close to being as attractive financially as the deal struck with Staples Center. Also, note that the baseball team there now calls itself the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. There’s a reason for that. Think about it, Brian. This is hardly debatable. - Ralph
Jason Ali from San Diego, CA writes... Hey Ralph, How many seasons do you think it will take for the Clippers to actually win a championship? Jason, Could be sooner than you think. Put Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston back on the active roster and I like this team’s chances against anyone. - Ralph
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