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Ever wonder what it's like in the Draft Room on draft day? Clippers.com chatted live from the Draft Room to provide insight on the main event, answers to your questions and more.
The Clippers selected Eric Gordon with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft.
Clippers.com: Welcome to the Clippers.com Draft Day Chat! We're live from the Draft Room at STAPLES Center, waiting for the 2008 NBA Draft to begin.
The Clippers own the No. 7 and No. 35 picks in the draft, and the members of Clipper Nation are desperate to know who will be wearing red, white and blue at the start of the 2008-09 season.
Joining us throughout the chat will be various members of the Clippers organization, including "The Voice of the Clippers" Ralph Lawler.
Brian (Camp Pendleton): What's it like in the Draft Room?
Clippers.com: Great question. First, let me describe the room.
There are three TV's showing the draft on ESPN (tune in now for the pre-draft coverage).
On the conference table: seven phones, at least 30 some odd cell phones, nine laptops, two tubs of Red Vines, enormous bags of M&M's, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, 3 Musketeers...
There's a very long table with food: potato chips, sandwiches, cookies, fruit, beverages, etc.
VP of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor is sitting at the head of the table. To his right, President of Basketball Operations Andy Roeser, Director of Scouting Gary Sacks, Executive Assistant of Basketball Operations Alice Shing, Assistant coach Kim Hughes... To his left, Head Coach Mike Dunleavy, Director of Player Personnel Neil Olshey, Director of International Scouting Fabrizio Besnati... This is a very long conference table...
OK David Stern just announced that Chicago is on the clock. We'll get back to the Draft Room shortly.
Clippers.com: I just learned that there is more than 500 people at the Clippers' Draft Party across the street at NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live, and that more people are coming. Way to represent, Clipper Nation!
Clippers.com: And the Chicago Bulls select Derrick Rose!
No, really.
Clippers.com: Just read on the NBA.com Blog that 2007-08 Rookie of the Year and second overall pick in the 2007 draft Kevin Durant loves Swedish Fish.
Note to self: get Swedish Fish in the Draft Room next year. We've got everything else!
Now we wait to see what Miami will do with the No. 2 pick. Rumors have been circulating for days, weeks even, that they are interested in shopping the No. 2 pick. Less than 2:30 on the clock till we find out!
Clippers.com: WOW! The Miami Heat selected Michael Beasley. The good news for us, both of the top picks are in the Eastern Conference. The bad news for Clippers fans, that means only one game in Los Angeles per player!
Ralph Lawler: Clearly, the 2 best players in the draft went one-two. The Beasley selection by Miami gives the draft a sense of order. A trade? Could still happen.
Clippers.com: Thank you for your insight, Ralph Lawler. As NBA fans have learned time and time again, anything can happen on Draft Day.
Clippers.com: Southern California guard O.J. Mayo will play in Minnesota next season. Mayo was one of the players that the Clippers looked at just last week. He's going to be a scoring machine for Minnesota.
Clippers.com: I'm joined once again by Ralph Lawler to discuss Russell Westbrook heading to Seattle.
Ralph Lawler: Westbrook is a mild surprise at #4. 2 more picks before the Clips and this assures that a highly regarded prospect will be available.
Ben (Los Angeles): Why did the Seattle deal fall apart?
Ralph Lawler: The deal didn't fell apart - it was discussed but it was never a deal. ESPN Called to apologize for the misreport.
Mitch (LA): Should the Clippers pick a PG or should they try to trade Corey for a veteran PG like Hinrich?
Clippers.com: Elgin Baylor and Mike Dunleavy plan to pick the best available player at No. 7. That strategy worked well last season with All-Rookie Team member Al Thornton, who by some stroke of luck was still available at No. 14.
The Clippers want to acquire a player that can come in and help the team right away. We'll find out whether or not that player is a PG in only two picks...
Memphis selects Kevin Love. All of the local talent is off the board. Let's see who New York picks. Almost time, Clipper Nation!
Ralph Lawler: There are smiles in the Clipper draft room. They can't miss getting a player they covet - regardless of who the Knicks choose.
Clippers.com: Moment of truth... New York selects Danilo Gallinari. There are cheers in the Draft Room.
Danny (Ferry, OH): who's on top of the clippers list
Clippers.com: At first glance, this question appeared to be submitted by Danny Ferry.
The Clippers are on the clock now. You'll find out in just a few short moments. Under 2 minutes to be exact.
PhyscoBomber: All I want to see before I die is the Clippers with a Championship Banner above the Staples Center
Clippers.com: Amen, PsycoBomber!
Clippers.com: And the Clippers select... Eric Gordon from Indiana University!
Ralph Lawler: So, the Clippers get their man and the very player that would have been tabbed at #4 had that much reported deal with Seattle gone through. They get it done without giving up a 2009 #1. Good going. This young man can Score the ball.
Clippers.com: Yes, he can score the ball. And he can dress, too! When I met him last week, he said he wanted his Draft Day suit to be a surprise. He looks pretty sharp tonight in his white suit coat and black slacks.
Gordon is a great pick for the Clippers. He is an explosive scorer that can play either the one or two. Expect great things from this young man out of Indiana.
Clippers.com: Let's chat with Director of Player Personell Neil Olshey on the Clippers' first round pick Eric Gordon.
Neil Olshey: We did everything that we could to move up and get Eric Gordon. We couldn't do it, but we were patient and he fell to us at No. 7.
We couldn't be happier. We look at Gordon falling to us at No. 7 like Al Thornton falling to us at No. 14 last year.
We had two needs coming into the draft. We needed three-point shooting and a point guard. We just addressed our first need by getting the best scorer and shooter in the draft. We'll work with our second round pick and free agency for a point guard.
Clippers.com: Alright Clipper Nation. We're going to take a small break for a press conference with Elgin Baylor and Mike Dunleavy. Back soon...
Clippers.com: Back from the press conference. The word on the street is that the fans at NOKIA Theatre gave the pick a standing ovation.
Clippers President Andy Roeser is going to stop by shortly.
Andy Roeser: We are thrilled that Gordon was still available at No. 7. He is a player we believe can come in and contribute right away, and we think the fans will really love him.
Scott: When will the new training facility open? I know all of the guys are in LA working out, but it would be nice to be doing it at our own place.
Clippers.com: We plan to make an announcement soon about the completion timeline for the Training Center. The construction process is in its finishing stages. When it opens, it's going to be fantastic.
Joe (LA): When do you plan to introduce Eric Gordon to the fans and the media?
Clippers.com: We're still finalizing the plans. Look for it to happen sometime next week.
Scott (Glendale): What's going on with Corey's and Elton's contracts?
Mike Dunleavy: We'll find out for sure on Monday. As we've said all along, we expect both guys back next season.
Clippers.com: Thanks for stopping by, coach!
Ken (Los Angeles): Did any serious discussions go down with Miami regarding Shawn Marion and the 2nd pick, or were those just baseless rumors?
Clippers.com: It's common before the draft for teams to talk to each other about possibilities. That particular transaction was never contemplated.
John (Los Angeles): Are you guys concerned over Gordon's height?
Clippers.com: No, he has great size. He's 6'3'' with a wingspan of 6'5'' player!
Patrick (Virginia Beach): Hey guys! Today's draft is a great step in the right direction. What are your plans for the summer?
Clippers.com: Joining us again is President Andy Roeser...
Andy Roeser: Today's draft went exactly the way that we hoped it would. We're very excited that we have Eric Gordon and we think the fans will love him. We accomplished one of our priorities today by getting help on our perimeter shooting.
We have more work to do. Look for us to move aggressively to get our team where we would like it to be.
Joe (Los Angeles): What's going on with Livingston? Will he be back next year?
Andy Roeser: Although Shaun will be a free agent on July 1, we hope to have him back next season.
Jeremy (Green Bay): How nice will it be to have a very reliable pure shooter to hit outside shots when defenses focus on Elton, Chris and Al??
Kim Hughes: It will really help relax the defense on the inside. It will allow Chris and Elton to play one-on-one instead on being double-teamed all game long. It'll be a change of pace that I haven't seen yet here!
Frank (Roxboro, NC): I been a Clipper fan for decades and I want to congratulate you all for a job well done by picking Eric Gordon. Is he a good defender and is he good on starting and finishing on the fast break?
Kim Hughes: He's very strong, and he's very intense, therefore he can be and is a good defender. He has great range because of his strength and is able to finish at the basket because he has very strong shoulders that allow him to create space for his shots.
Clippers.com: That's about all we have time for today, Clipper Nation! Thank you for all of your questions. Log on to Clippers.com for more information about the second round pick. We look forward to seeing more of our first round pick Eric Gordon during Summer League in Las Vegas!
A special thanks to all of the Clippers personnel that stopped by to answer some of your burning questions.
Thanks again, and Go Clippers!
DRAFT CENTRAL | OVERVIEW | WORKOUTS | NO. 7 HISTORY | DRAFT PARTY | YOU COULD WIN! | '08-09 TICKETS
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