We are starting to see the talent of rookie Al Thornton. Andrew D. Bernstein (NBAE/Getty Images) Ralph's Mailbag

I'm a huge fan and love your broadcasts. I really need some optimism, as far as the Clippers go, so I'd really appreciate it if you could write a paragraph that gives me hope.

Myles,

I’m not at all discouraged. We knew when Shaun got hurt and then Elton went down that this year’s club could not afford any other injuries. Sadly, they’ve been hit from one end of the roster to the other.

Still, we’ve seen Chris Kaman emerge as a real force at both ends of the court. He’s set with this club for many years to come. We are also starting to see the talent of rookie Al Thornton. He has a chance to be a big-time NBA scorer. So the foundation of a very good team is in place. Bring back the injured guys… make a draft pick here… a trade there… and fill in with a free-agent signing or two and this can be a very competitive basketball team. I wish it were happening now, but I’m happy that we can see it happening in the very near future.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

Do you see any of the Clippers making the All-Star Team this year? Kaman is more than deserving of making it.

Mobley

Vicente,

Chris Kaman is clearly playing at an All-Star level. I think the coaches will vote him in as one of three centers on the Western Conference team.

- Ralph

Enjoy your work greatly, Ralph! Recently Sofoklis was released from his contract. Is this a step towards what all us Clippers fans and you have been waiting to see happen?

Jose,

In fact, Schortsanitis was not released from his contract. It was more like what the NBA would refer to as a "suspension." They’ve stopped paying him and asked him to go to a hospital in Switzerland in an effort to lose weight. Reportedly, Sofo has said he’d go if his Olympiacos team would release him from his contract.

Neither side has budged. He remains an interesting talent at the age of just 22, but he must lose weight and get in much better shape to play in the NBA.

The Clippers retain his rights.

- Ralph

Making a trade... I love the Clips so it’s hard to get rid of guys you like but what do you think needs to be done? I say Mobley, Thomas and a second round pick need to go for Caron Butler and Andray Blatche. I think Maggette and Butler can work well together. Blatche has room to grow this season then back up Brand/Kaman next year. Your thoughts?

Shaun,

Trades are fun for the fans to discuss but they are hard work for basketball people to accomplish. In your scenario, the salaries don’t match and base year compensation players are involved. That deal could not be made. I can only suggest that you can rest assured that the basketball staff is working hard to get this team back on track.

- Ralph

Why are Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas seeing so few minutes?

Mobley

Thomas

Mark,

Tim Thomas has been playing career high minutes and Mobley always gets big minutes when his health allows. Between injuries and illness, Cat has not been available for the type of minutes he’s played in past seasons. He’s feeling better now and his minutes are certain to increase.

- Ralph

Couldn't Dunleavy have thought ahead about potential injuries?

Trevor,

The coach is very bright but he is not clairvoyant. This run of bad luck is unprecedented in my 29 years with the team.

- Ralph

Ralph,

Since I haven’t heard it mentioned recently, is there still any chance Sam Cassell can talk Latrell Sprewell into playing for us, or is he still asking for the house and the farm?

And thanks, Ralph, because we always remember that even when the team struggles, at least we still have the best announcing team in all of basketball!

Paulette,

Sprewell has been out of the league for more than two years and he’s now 37 years of age. He is living in the Milwaukee area and there is every indication that he is fully retired.

- Ralph

Hello Ralph,

I'm a big-time Clippers fan. Can you please tell the coach to tell the players to "Drive in, drive in!" and Tim Thomas to post-up and stop shooting from the outside? PLEASE! The team is shooting, like, 1-for-59. PLEASE DRIVE IN!

Carlos,

I feel your pain. The reality is not every player has the talent to get to the basket. Sam Cassell can get his own shot and Cat Mobley has some of that ability as well. Both of those players have been hurt much of the season.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph,

With all of the injuries, how does the training staff maintain the morale during this tough spot? If this helps, as a fan, I am so proud that the bench of the Clippers plays with the one thing an injury can't take away, and that’s heart. Good Job players and staff. With the deepest sincerity I wish the entire Clippers Organization (Especially you Ralph and Mike) a healthy and prosperous new year! GO CLIPS!

Nestor,

Thanks for the kind thoughts. The training staff has a exceptional relationship with the players. There is great mutual respect.

- Ralph

Dear Ralph,

I'm a devoted fan and have been for many years. This year seemed to be the year... then EB gets injured and I don't even know when Livingston is coming back. This year is very competitive being in the Western Conference and all, but don't you think by the time EB and Shaun come back it will be too late for this season?

Gil,

It might well be too late for this year, but think about the future: Kaman – Brand – Thornton up front… Livingston and Maggette/Mobley in the backcourt… Thomas and one of the above coming off the bench along with a mid-level free agent and a first round lottery pick. Looks good to me. The balance of this season will be fun to watch just to see the continued growth of Kaman and Thornton and the return of Brand and Livingston.

- Ralph

Ralph,

I consider you the Chick Hearn of the modern era, and I still can't listen to Lakers games without him. Clipper fans are very blessed to have such a great announcer to look forward to hearing each game. Happy Holidays!

With the rash of Clipper injuries, is there any other explanation other than bad luck?

David,

No, I think it is coincidence and rotten luck. Various teams have been hit over the years. It just happens that way. The San Antonio Spurs lost all-star center David Robinson for all but six games of the 1996-97 season. They went from 59 wins the year before to 20 that year. Then they got lucky in the draft… getting the first pick. Their choice? Tim Duncan. They’ve been in the playoffs each year since then and won four championships. Luck has a way of balancing out.

- Ralph

How, as a Clippers faithful, can the team expect the fans to show up when they are playing so very uninspired? I have been at every home game and the lack of hustle is very evident. Brand is not an excuse - it happened and they knew they would not have him.

One playoff run in 20 years does not make a good team or front office. Why can’t we make some changes where they should be made?

Scott,

For the record, it is four play-off runs, but that’s not nearly enough for anyone in the organization. A year and a half ago, Elgin Baylor was honored as NBA Executive of the year. Elgin, Mike Dunleavy and Neal Olshey still call the shots and I don’t think they’ve lost their edge from the 05-06 season.

More directly, I thought this team would play hard more consistently than it has. I really think the string of injuries took its toll on the confidence level of some of the players. They showed some fight in their two hard-fought losses in Texas just before Christmas. I’m hoping that’s a sign of good things to come.

- Ralph

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