With seven rookies on the current training camp roster in addition to Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers are not lacking in youth.
It is rare for a team to have as many rookies on their roster as the Clippers have going into this season, but all of the players, whether young or old, see it as an opportunity for growth and success.
“We have a lot of potential as a young team,” said Blake Griffin, the Clippers 6-foot-10 power forward. “The youth is something exciting. I think that will bring a different aspect to the Clippers that they haven’t had for the past few years.”
Griffin is coming off of an injury shortened year and a busy offseason that he spent getting his body, particularly his knee, back into top form. Griffin is looking forward to lacing up his sneakers and getting back out on the court for his long-awaited professional debut. The anxiousness could be heard in his voice when Griffin was asked to gauge his level of excitement heading into this season on a scale of one to 10.
“I would say about a twenty or thirty,” Griffin said. “I was excited for last year and this year it’s almost double. I’ve literally been counting down the days just until training camp.”
With a healthy Griffin and a more experienced Gordon, who is coming off a breakout summer in which he helped lead the U.S. national team to a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championships, the Clippers are looking to be back in full force this season. Gordon was the fourth-leading scorer for the U.S. team, averaging 8.6 points off the bench and draining 19 3-pointers. The Clippers will look for him to continue his strong defensive play and take on a more integral role in the offense this season.
Neil Olshey, the Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations, likes the young core of players he has to work with and is confident that they are the future of this team.
“The beauty of our youth is that they’re contributors,” Olshey said. “You’ve got two guys under 22 years old in Blake and Eric that are going to be starters. One is coming off a gold medal and one we think is one of the most talented power forwards in the league.”
Not only do the Clippers have a crop of talented young players, but they have a good mix of veterans to counter the inexperience and youth. The Clippers will rely on the consistent play of their All-Star center, Chris Kaman, and 11-year veteran point guard Baron Davis to guide the way.
“I think that we have great young talent,” Davis said. “We have a lot of athleticism on this team and a lot of really good, solid players that can compete and play multiple positions. Our versatility is scary as well as our athleticism and our commitment to defense is what is going to win us basketball games.”
Davis and his infamous beard are growing into the veteran role with the Clippers. “I’m going to grow my beard out to try to look like an old man,” Davis said. With or without the beard, the Clippers will be looking to Davis as a leader on and off the court this season for the young players.
Olshey believes that having a foundation of solid, young players and experienced veterans will bode well for the incoming rookie class.
“I think seeing how quickly you can go from being a rookie to being a contributor in kind of the vision of Blake and Eric has to inspire guys like Eric Bledsoe, Willie Warren and Al-Farouq Aminu,” Olshey said.
The rookies are already soaking up the knowledge and experience of their veteran teammates during training camp and they will look to build on that heading into the preseason.
“We have veterans at almost every position so all of us rookies that will come in will have somebody we can look up to,” said Aminu, the Clippers first round draft choice out of Wake Forest.
Fellow rookie Marqus Blakely, a 6-foot-5 forward out of the University of Vermont, echoed Aminu’s sentiments.
“I don’t think I’d rather be any place else in terms of playing with veteran players like this, with Baron and Chris Kaman,” Blakely said. “And, we have a young nucleus too so you are able to relate with them and understand what you need to do because they’ve been there already.”
The rookies are already bonding off the court and the Clippers are hoping that will translate to strong play on the court.
“We’re young players, but we’re going to bring a lot of energy and I think we’re going to get a chance to grow together and do something special,” Aminu said.
While the Clippers rookies are looking forward to showing off their talents on the court, they may have some fun adventures in store for them this season off the court.
“We are definitely going to make them sing, carry bags, definitely going to pick up some donuts, coffee and maybe do some laundry,” said young DeAndre Jordan.
As one of the more seasoned veterans on the team, Davis will be leaving the fun and games to his younger teammates. But, when asked to recall the worst thing he was asked to do as a rookie, Davis did not hesitate.
“Carry dirty laundry,” Davis said. “That was terrible.”
All joking aside, the young players are settling into their roles with the Clippers and they are looking forward to what the season holds.
“I’m loving it,” said Bledsoe, the Clippers rookie guard out of Kentucky. “I couldn’t be in a better place. I’m looking forward to getting better and seeing how much we grow since the first day we started.”
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