This is a demanding game. Like it or not, injuries are very much a part of it. Andrew D. Bernstein (NBAE/Getty Images) Ralph's Mailbag

HUGE FAN. Love what you and Mike bring to the Clippers experience. My question is, to be honest, more of an observation: why are the Clippers more injured than most teams in the league? And for now, I'm not even talking about Shaun and Elton. I'm talking about Cat's hip, Brevin's groin, Corey's hamstring, Sam's calf, and, in the past, Kaman's various back related issues.

In the press, all the players say is, "There's nothing you can do about injuries". This is not true! Why hasn’t the coaching and training staff tried to IMPROVE upon this rash of injuries by trying to take some preventative action?

Luke,

If you attended the team’s training camp, practices or were at the arena before the doors opened on game nights, you would see the stretching and preventative action that you suggest is needed. The Clippers' training staff is second to none. Flexibility and core strengthening are paramount to the staff. Head Athletic Trainer Jasen Powell, Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Williams and their Assistant, Johan Wang are absolute top-of-the line professionals who have the trust and respect of every player on the roster.

I know it is tempting to hunt for a scape-goat, but just look around the league. We tend to only notice our own team’s injuries. Check-out Denver: Nene, Martin, Kleiza, Najara, Carter, Atkins and Hunter – they all are or have been out with recent injuries. Closer to home, the Lakers have struggled in recent years with key players such as Bryant, Odom, Brown, Mihm, Walton and Turiaf all suffering injuries that have cost them a significant number of games.

This is a demanding game. Like it or not, injuries are very much a part of it.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

It's always so pleasurable to hear your calls.

With all of the injuries and non-stellar play from certain players (Knight, Dickau), is there any chance that we can get a useful ball-handler from the D-League? Is there anyone that you can think of, or who has caught your eye?

Timothy,

Nobody there who is close to the quality of Knight or Dickau. Both of these veterans can play the game. We’ve not seen the best of Brevin Knight because he’s been nicked up since training camp. When he’s healthy, he’ll be a contributor.

- Ralph

Do you believe that Elton Brand, and Corey Maggette will opt-out after the end of the season if they don’t make the playoffs?

Alex,

Not sure that the playoffs will be a factor. It will more likely come down to a business decision by the players and their agents. The reality is that a sizable crop of potential free agents next summer will have very limited choices and in almost all cases their options are best served by staying with their current teams. In Corey and Elton’s case that could mean not opting out or it could mean signing extensions with the Clippers. The reality is that only Philadelphia and maybe Charlotte will have significant room under the salary cap next summer and they’ll have it only if they choose not to re-sign their own Free Agents. I expect to see very little movement with the top free agents in 2008.

- Ralph

Hopefully everyone will be back next year, but could the Clippers get a premier free agent in 2008 - Like Agent Zero and/or Josh Childress?

Also, are the Clippers going to lock up Shaun Livingston in a long term deal when he's back?

Justin,

The only ways the Clippers could acquire Gilbert Arenas would be through a sign and trade agreement or by clearing cap space to sign him out right. To do that, they would have to renounce their rights to Brand and Maggette, assuming those players choose to Opt-out of their current contracts.

We could debate whether or not Josh Childress deserves that "premier" rating that you give him, but he will only be a Restricted Free Agent meaning Atlanta will be able to match any offer he receives. In short, you’d need to over-pay to keep the Hawks from matching.

As for Shaun, I sure hope so, but his value will clearly be determined only by his level of play after he comes back from his very serious knee injury.

- Ralph

Ralph,

Having been a season ticket holder for 13 years (starting in 1988) but no longer, I still watch as many televised games as possible. The one constant in all those years is this: the Clippers have never had 1 player who can flat out shoot the ball. The game against Houston was an example as poor outside shooting lost the game. Do you think Al Thornton can be that player?

Thornton

Dave,

I thought this year’s team was going to be the best jump-shooting Clipper team we’ve seen in a long time. The fast (4-0) start confirmed those beliefs as the club averaged 109 points a game. However, a rash of injuries has derailed the offense and it has ground to a halt.

I still see an improved shooting team over the long haul. Thomas, Cassell, Mobley, Maggette, Dickau and Thornton can all shoot the "three." The team has never had so many players who need to be guarded out-side the 3-point line. I’m not sure yet if Thornton is more scorer or more shooter. He certainly looked like a shooter in the pre-season. However, he’s been down in the low 30% range since the regular season began. Time will tell with him. More importantly, the coaching staff remains very high on the rookie from Florida State.

- Ralph

I know Chris Kaman won’t be voted to the All Star team by the fans. However, do you think the coaches will vote him in?

Thanks Ralph, you are awesome, Keep up the good work. GO CLIPS!

Kaman

Andrew,

It’s not too early for the fans to vote, but it is way too early for the coaches to decide who fills out the All-Star roster. If Chris Kaman keeps playing like he has been, there will be very strong sentiment to choose him to back-up Yao Ming who will almost surely be chosen by the fans to start at center. His primary competition will come from Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix, Marcus Camby of Denver and Mehmet Okur of Utah.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

Really enjoy your work, thanks for the effort you and Mike put in. Now then, any idea why Al Thornton's minutes are diminishing, especially with the Clippers on a losing streak? It would seem a good time for an infusion of energy. Instead we get more Tim Thomas, a 6'10", 245 that plays 6'6", 210. Maybe Coach ought to try Al at 4, at least he'd get some contested boards on occasion.

Frank,

Al’s minutes were more available when Corey was out and less so now that he’s back. Al Thornton’s time will come. He’s very early in the NBA learning curve. His minutes and his shooting percentage (31%) will increase as he gets more comfortable on the court.

Thomas

Regarding Tim Thomas: people keep wanting him to be something other than what he is, which is pretty darn good, but not as great as people somehow expect him to be. He’s a consistent double figure scorer who pulls down 6 or 7 rebounds a game and spreads the floor with his 3-point shooting. That’s what he is. That’s what he’s been throughout his career and it’s a positive for this team … not a negative.

- Ralph

Can the Clippers please sign Earl Boykins? Please!

Roshan,

The Clips made a run at Boykins this summer. However, Earl’s estimate of his value was unreasonably high. I say "unreasonably" because no team has agreed with his estimate to date and it seems accurate that he mis-judged the market when he opted out of a contract with Milwaukee. That contract would have paid him $3-million this season.

- Ralph

Would you help me understand what the +/- column indicates on the stat sheets? I noticed this is new this year, and I've been scratching my head to know what that means. (It is found in the box scores). Thank you.

John,

It comes from the National Hockey League where this stat has been used for years and years. It is really very simple. They keep track of the scoring during the time each player is on the court. If a player’s team scores more points while he is on the court, he is (+) that many points. If his team is out-scored while he is on the court he is listed as (-) that many points. The sum total for his entire game is then listed in the (+/-)column of the box score.

- Ralph

Ralph,

I think the Clips are right where they need to be (around .500) until EB and Shaun come back. Then they can put the pedal to the metal and beat up on the West with EB's fresh legs and his mid-range jumper while Kaman works the low post and the other guys slash and work the 3 point line.

If Chris Kaman continues to post double doubles and maintain his statistical numbers, is he the leading candidate for "Most Improved Player"?

Jim,

I like your thinking and agree the team needs to stay close to .500 to have a shot pending the mid-season return of Brand and Livingston. It took at 42-40 record to reach the playoffs in the West last year. It will take at least that this season.

I think it’s too early to hand out post-season awards, but Kaman’s early season play, if continued, would make him a candidate.

- Ralph

Why do you have to mention "Lawler's Law" when the Clippers are losing? Other than that, I love your broadcasts. (Actually, I don't think the other team deserves "Bingos" either.)

Bruce,

That’s a second "other." You only get one "other" per message. Other than your "others" I liked your e-mail.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

I've been one of the proverbial "long suffering Clipper fans" for 20+ years and have always enjoyed your broadcasts. Why doesn't Coach Dunleavy play Aaron Williams more? I figured that with E.B. out Williams would see 24 minutes a game backing up Thomas and Kaman in the post. They certainly could use more boxing out and post defense from someone else besides Kaman. Thanks.

Williams

Ken,

He started Aaron versus Houston. I think it’s a matter of match-ups. When healthy, he can help and has helped this season. He’ll be playing more than he did a year ago.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

What do you think of the Clippers playing at the Honda Center and getting out of the STAPLES Center?

Daniel,

I don’t think there is an owner in professional sports who would endorse leaving STAPLES Center and Los Angeles for Anaheim or anywhere else.

- Ralph

Ralph,

I have a problem. When I watch the games, I get so nervous, especially after you say, "Fasten your Seatbelts", that I can't always watch. I have sometimes resorted to watching the scores on my NBA League Pass channel, rather than watching the games. I TIVO the games and go back and watch the games they won, and delete the ones they lost. Do you have any cures for this? I'd like to be able to watch.

Robert,

A couple of thoughts – maybe I could say: "Everybody not named Robert – Fasten your Seatbelts!" Or, you could just relax and enjoy the game.

On the other hand … I’m embracing the TIVO idea regarding deleting the Clipper losses. Wonder if we can get the league to do that? Hmmmmmm. We’d be the first team in NBA History to have an undefeated season!

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

Big fan of both you and the Clippers. I’m also a big Trojans fan, and I just found out that the son of Coach Dunleavy plays for them.... Tell me about James Dunleavy. He wrote on the USC website that he’s a Clippers fan.

Victor,

Yes, James is a "walk-on" with the Trojans this year. He attended a recent Clippers game with O.J. Mayo. He played High School ball here in the city and shoots like a Dunleavy, which is very well. Go Trojans!

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Do you know where or if Korolev is playing?

JC,

He’s still in L.A. working out and sifting through his options. Best bet is that he goes back to Russia to play.

- Ralph

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