posted by Ralph Lawler | July 25 @ 11:11 am Max B. from Orange County, CA writes... Sterling finally sees the light! He opened his checkbook to sign a few big players! Now that we have a decent team, what’s next for the team and the front office? Max, The owner has been great. The plan is to just keep on trying to find ways to get better. Nobody had a hint of the Camby deal or even the offer sheet to K.A. Expect the unexpected. - Ralph
Alfonso Ramos from Los Angeles, CA writes... Hey, how is it going Ralph? I enjoy your Clippers broadcasts. How do you think the Clippers will fare this upcoming year? Are playoffs a possibility? Alfonso, The Clippers will surely be in the mix. Golden State and Denver seem to have taken a step back. Phoenix and Dallas dropped back a bit last year, but Portland is coming on strong. It should be fun to watch from game #1 to #82. - Ralph
Benjamin Sandoval from Lynwood, CA writes... Ralph, I know you are a true professional, but honestly, did the whole Elton Brand saga from the summer make you change your mind on the kind of person you thought he was and when he plays us, will you cheer a little harder for a Clippers victory? Benjamin, I will always love Elton. His mother, wife and brother are all close friends of my family and mine. Still, it would be really fun to beat the 76ers twice this year just to show him that he made a mistake. - Ralph
Jay Ritt from Pasadena, CA writes... Ralph, I'm sure you're getting this question in all sorts of forms from every sentient Clipper fan out there... would you have traded Maggette and Brand straight up for Davis and Camby? Jay, I had to call Mike Smith to find out what "sentient" meant, but all things considered, I would make that trade. By all things, I mean taking into account the cap space now available in two years plus the dollars that remain available to add depth to the bench this season. Usually the winner of any multi-player trade is the team that winds up with the best player. Of this talented quartet, I think Baron Davis is the best and most impactful player. - Ralph
Kyle Sellers from Melbourne, Australia writes... Hey Ralph, I'm still hurting after the Brand fiasco, but I think we've recovered well. I think how far we go this coming season really hinges on how Al Thornton and Eric Gordon develop. Do you see Thornton making a big impact this season? And do you think Gordon will be capable of producing solidly in his first season?
Aside from good health, I think you’ve targeted the best barometers to gauge the team’s success. If Al can be a 15+ point per game player and if Gordon can quickly develop into instant offense off the bench… watch out. - Ralph
Cris Powell from Camarillo, CA writes... Ralph, I am a very big Clipper Fan and had season tickets the last couple of years. I am really looking forward to this next season but I have two questions for you.
Cris, Camby at the high post and Kaman down low should work very well. Thornton will score in the low post and don’t forget… so will Baron Davis. I like the make-up of this team. Regarding Shaun, I think you are right on target with what the team hopes to do. - Ralph
Cy Bassett from San Clemente, CA writes... Do you see Lawler's Law being utilized much this upcoming season? I am glad the Clippers have some scorers on the court so Kaman doesn't have to take as many shots. Take it easy Ralph. Cy, Yes, this team should be able to score a lot of points. The improved defense should produce some easy opportunities at the other end. The Clippers go from being primarily a post-oriented team to one that will get a lot of points from its guards. Baron Davis and Eric Gordon are born scorers. And on the wing, second year man Al Thornton could have a monster season. - Ralph
Sleck Sorn from Los Angeles, CA writes... With the loss of EB and Corey, and a very interesting off season by adding Baron Davis, Marcus Camby and rookie Eric Gordon, how is the future of the Los Angeles Clippers? Is the roster fine by the way it looks or will there be a more interesting trade? Sleck, The way this summer has gone so far, nothing would surprise me now. One thing for sure, the basketball staff is working tirelessly and with great innovation to find ways to make the Clippers a winning team. That should be more apparent now than it has ever been. - Ralph
Ryan Goldstein from Los Angeles, CA writes... Hey Ralph, First off, you’re my hero. Second, I don’t think you can deny that the team made some good moves post-Elton, but the bench is very weak and has a few underachievers. Now that the Warriors matched Azubuike's offer sheet, is there anything the team can do to make itself deeper? Have you heard anything? Ryan, They thought they had a chance with Azubuike, but G.S. matched Thursday. It was worth a shot because he would have bolstered the bench. They still have some $$$ to play with and I’m sure they’ll find an effective way to bring in another player or two. - Ralph
Matt Tate from Vacaville, CA writes... Despite losing E.B., I still like the make-up of our team. Since Azabukie isn't coming over, I say we go after J.R. Smith or bring Darius Miles back. It would be nice to see him, too.
I doubt the dollars would work for J.R. Smith, but trades are always possible. Darius Miles had a wonderful run with the Clippers but that was seven years ago. He hasn’t played since the middle of the '05-06 season and Portland doctors said he had suffered a career-ending knee injury. He’s had some work-outs for teams this month, but he’s a high-risk gamble. We’ll see if anyone wants to roll those dice. - Ralph
Michael Hakes from CA writes... How did Eric Gordon look during Summer League games and will he be healed up to start this NBA season? You’re the best, Ralph! Thanks Michael. Eric is a shooter who did not shoot well in the summer league, but he did show an amazing ability to get to the free throw line. He’s a very aggressive offensive player. He was held out of the final three Summer League games as a precaution after suffering a strained hamstring. He’ll be fine. - Ralph
Erick Sanzon from Baldwin Park, CA writes... Why didn't the Clippers go after Andrea Iguodala?
That would have been one of those offer sheet deals with Philly having seven days to match any offer. There’s little doubt that they would have matched. - Ralph
Christian Talactac from Panorama City, CA writes... What is the status on the Clippers new practice facility? It sure does seem like they keep pushing the completion date back further and further. Christian, Ever built anything? This is not unusual. The team is taking great care to do this thing right. The basketball courts are down, the carpeting is going in and they are very close to completion of this state-of-the-art facility that will be the envy of every team in the league. Look for an announcement to be coming in the very near future. - Ralph
Chris Cox writes... Ralph, I'm sure it's a question you will be getting many times over the coming months, but I have to ask. Where does the blame for losing Elton Brand really lie? Chris, No need for a blame game here. I think Elton’s heart told him to return to the Clippers. His agent wanted to look around. (That’s what agents are paid to do.) In the end result, the lure of playing in the East for a team that reached the playoffs without him last Spring, was just too much to resist. E.B. is a virtual "lock" to be an annual All-Star in the East. We will all miss him but are happy for him. Meanwhile, the Clippers recovery after being virtually blind-sided by his defection was remarkable. - Ralph
K. Parker from Palmdale, CA writes... Is Chris Kaman still a Clipper?
I really think this is going to be a valuable and maturing experience for Chris. - Ralph
Bob London from Los Angeles, CA writes... With all of our injuries the past few years, do we need a change in our strength and conditioning trainer/coach? Bob, Absolutely not! The Clippers training staff: Jasen Powell, Rich Williams and Johan Wang are world-class in their field. Injuries happen. Just ask Andrew Bynum, Gilbert Arenas, Randy Foye, Shaq O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Jermaine O’Neal, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Kenyon Martin, Steve Francis, Darius Miles, Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson, Peja Stojakovic, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Paul Pierce, Nene, etc. They and many others have missed significant parts of the past two seasons. - Ralph
Luv Lalwani from Los Angeles, CA writes... Hi Ralph, Given all the trades and new addition to the Clippers - Davis, Camby, Hart, Gordon and etc. do you think this team is better than the squad in 2006 that lost to the Suns in Game 7 of the playoffs? Luv, Only time will tell. I think Baron Davis has the potential to elevate this team to previously unreached levels. I just know that Golden State was instantly competitive as soon as he joined them from New Orleans in February of 2005. I think he can have similar impact here. - Ralph
Carlos Torres from West Covina, CA writes... Why is Dunleavy not gearing Al Thornton to be a lock-up defender? He is long and very athletic. Carlos, Believe me, that has been and will be a primary focus in Al’s development. He has the potential to be a very good defensive player. This should be an excellent defensive team this year and Al will be a big part of that. - Ralph
Alex from Lakewood, CA writes... Ralph, With Corey Maggette gone, do you think that Al Thornton can fill his shoes? They are big shoes to fill, but I think Al is the key to the season. Alex, Good health for the team is the real key. That said, I do believe Al Thornton will pick up some of the scoring load lost when Corey signed with Golden State. He really had a very good rookie season. He and Baron Davis will likely be the team’s top scoring threats - Ralph
Jeannie Cianci from Montrose, NY writes... WHY... HOW could you let Elton Brand get away??? Jeannie, I’ve been blamed for a lot of things, but this one was more likely Mike Smith’s fault. - Ralph
Brian Reyes from Fresno, CA writes... Dear Ralph, During the draft, I wondered, when will we be able to use the first round pick we acquired from the Timberwolves in the Jaric/Cassell trade? Brian, The pick was protected for six seasons which means through 2011. Any year between now and then that the T-Wolves pick is #11 or later, the Clippers get the pick. If not used by 2012, then the conditions are lifted and the pick comes to L.A. that year even if it is #1. - Ralph
Robert Lehrer from Tarzana, CA writes... Aside from age and physical differences, what does Jason Hart bring to the Clippers that Brevin Knight lacked? In other words, what was the motive behind the swap of the two guards?
Hard to ignore that Hart is three years younger and four inches taller, but he’s also a better shooter with a little more range and certainly capable of pushing the ball. Brevin Knight was a sure-handed play-maker who was best in the half-court. Both are pretty solid on the ball defenders. All in all, the basketball staff just thought Hart was a better fit on the new-look Clippers. - Ralph
GEO from Irvine, CA writes... Hey Ralph, Do you think the Clippers are a playoff team with all the players they have acquired this offseason? What seed do you think they will be? GEO, My crystal ball is on summer vacation. I do feel, however, that the team is back in the mix of playoff contending teams. That clearly was not apparent at the end of last season. They’ve done a great job restructuring this roster. They are going to rebound the ball, block shots, run up and down the floor and be a lot of fun to watch. - Ralph
Kyle Alex Minor from Bellflower, CA writes... Do you think the Clippers will match up with the Lakers well next season?
A lot better than they did last year. - Ralph
David Yee from Bellflower, CA writes... Hi Ralph, Do we still have the MLE left to spend? Davis, No, as soon as the team dropped below the salary cap to acquire Baron Davis, they lost their Mid-Level and Bi-annual Exceptions. You don’t get those exceptions back even when you climb back over the cap. They should have both of those assets next summer. Then in the summer of 2010, the Clippers will be in a position to be a major player in that year’s Super Free-Agent Sweepstakes. - Ralph Neil Tahani from Arcadia, CA writes... Ralph, Do you think Clippers have a chance of winning it all next year? Neil, Well, that’s the goal every year. It’s a lofty goal for this team for this season, but the pieces are in place for this club to make a championship run in the future. - Ralph
Todd Oshiro from HI writes... Ralph, I'd first like to say that you and Mike are the best commentating team, you guys say some hilarious stuff. Anyway, Shaun Livingston is one of my favorite players and I'd like to see him play for the Clippers once again. What is your take on his situation?
Shaun is one of my favorites, too. He’s working out in Chicago but is yet to be cleared to do more than play one-on-one. I think the team would love to have him back so he can continue his recovery from that horrific knee injury. However, it is not easy to place a value on his services until he can do more than play one-on-one. Some other teams have some cautionary interest in Livingston, but I think the Clippers are still his desired and most likely landing spot. - Ralph
Stan Johnson from CA writes... What do you think about the acquisition of Camby? Do you think it would've been better to throw out offer sheets to Okafor or Josh Smith? Will this team be better than the '05-06 Clips?
No, I like the choice the team made. Camby was a sure thing. The other two players were likely to have any offer matched and that seven day wait would have been excruciating and might have been devastating if Camby were no longer available. Moreover, this move gives the team exceptional flexibility in 2010 when a large part of this year’s USA Olympic team becomes free agents. And yes, blessed with a little good health and some over-due good fortune, this can be a better Clippers team than the one that provided so many thrills in 2005-06. - Ralph
Myles M. from Los Angeles, CA writes... Hey Ralph, It's been a busy offseason! I was wondering if you think the Clippers have gotten better, stayed the same, or worsened and how many games you think the Clippers are capable of winning this year. hanks for your time. Go Clippers! Myles, Oh, this is a much better team than the one that ended the 2007-08 season. Looking at the future, this is still the West where it took 51 Wins to reach the playoffs last season. It may not take that many this year, but the Conference remains deep and talented. Too early to put a number out there for the Clippers to win, but I think they’ll be very competitive. - Ralph
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