|
Brand's presence will be missed on the court, in the locker room and with the media. Andrew D. Bernstein (NBAE/Getty Images) |
|
|
Man down! Man down!
posted by Dena | August 10 @ 8:36 am
Well Clipper Nation, I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. Which do you want to hear first?
Okay let’s get the bad news out of the way (like you haven’t already heard…): Elton Brand ruptured his Achilles, had a successful surgery on Tuesday, and will miss part of the season. How much of the season has yet to be determined.
Now for the good news: there were no immediate reports of injuries or damages after Thursday morning’s 1:00 am 4.5 magnitude earthquake. Woo hoo!
Since the news of Elton’s injury broke last Friday afternoon, I’ve received hundreds of e-mails from fans asking what the Clippers plan to do to fill the huge gaping void we now find in our front court. The honest truth is: I don’t know.
Here’s the thing... unless we make a play to get Tim Duncan (.00000000000000002% chance) or Kevin Garnett (.00000000000000001% chance), there is nobody out there who can replace EB’s veteran leadership on and off the court, put up 20-10 every game and have the drive and hunger to win every night. Anybody who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves.
What I can tell you is this: it is imperative that Elton heals 100%. This is why no timetable has been set for his return.
As the official spokesperson of the “Always Look for the Silver Lining Club,” I feel compelled to tell you to look for the positives.
For example: at least it happened now and NOT in November. Can you imagine having to adjust to something like this after the season started? Talk about a logistical nightmare.
Thankfully, because this injury happened now - before training camp starts and while free agents are still on the market - the Clippers can make adjustments to the team's roster and line-up before the season starts. And don't forget this also gives Elton a chance to return this season. Here is some of what else you can expect:
- Tim Thomas, Paul Davis and Aaron Williams will see a ton more minutes every night. Don’t forget that Tim Thomas was the Clippers’ fifth highest scorer last season (11.0 ppg) and fourth best rebounder (5.0 rpg). Davis really just needs to play more to put up consistent numbers. Last season he averaged only 5.8 minutes and 1.6 points per game, but he also had moments of brilliance.
- The Clippers now have to reevaluate their wants and needs when looking at available free agents. Since Shaun's injury in February, the primary goal for the team was to draft the best player available in June. After picking Al Thornton at No. 14 and Jared Jordan at No. 45, the goal became find the best available back-up point guard for Sam Cassell. Now it's a little more tricky. Now we have to find a player (or two) who can score, defend, add size to the line-up, provide leadership, etc. This is going to be tough, but it’d be even tougher to accomplish after the season starts.
- Thornton, who was drafted to contribute this season, will now get an opportunity to show us what he’s really capable of. He will see more minutes, take more shots and become a key role in the Clippers line-up. It’s great to see this year’s draft class already regards him as the most athletic rookie and somebody to consider for Rookie of the Year. Hey, stranger things have happened…
Elton Brand
c/o Los Angeles Clippers
STAPLES Center
1111 S. Figueroa St. Suite 1100
Los Angeles, Ca. 90015
Speaking of E-mails…
|
From the Members of Clipper Nation…
Joseph Redondo from Lakewood, CA writes…
Elton Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joseph,
Amen.
Deven Armstrong from Orange, CA writes…
Out of curiosity, do you know what the situation is with the Clippers' Greek center, Sofoklis Schortsianitis? He was great in the World Championships last year. I think he could be great behind Kaman.
Deven,
Here's the deal: we still have Sofoklis' NBA rights until the year, well... forever. Right now, the Clippers are definitely still interested in bringing the center over at some point. The general consensus is that he has a ton of NBA potential.
Sofoklis just turned 22, so he would be a college junior or senior right now (or maybe even a sophomore considering Al Thornton was 23 as a senior). He is still very young. He also still needs to refine his game.
You should probably expect to see the Greek center get a shot with the Clippers at some point, but it will most likely be when he has fully refined his game to a level where he can contribute right away.
Julie J. from Redlands, CA writes…
Four words: Elton. Brand. Achilles. Ouch.
Are we cursed?
Julie,
Cursed? Nah. Unlucky? Sure. A curse in the sports world is a funny thing. “Curses” are really exaggerated superstitions that essentially excuse a team from their inability to win a Championship. The Boston Red Sox (“Curse of the Bambino,” broken in 2004), Chicago Cubs (“Curse of the Billy Goat,” still in full effect) and Los Angeles Lakers (“The Leprechaun Jinx,” broken in 1985) are all examples.
I’ve never seen or heard of a curse that is stemmed from repeated freak injuries to a team’s top players. As for our inability to win a Championship, the Clippers are not alone here. Just look at Cleveland.
|
I'd like to wish a very happy (upcoming) birthday to the following wonderful people in the Clippers family...
Taylor Moxon from Long Beach, CA writes…
Two questions:
- When are the pre-season games this year?
- Who would be a better point guard for the clippers Brevin Knight or Earl Boykins?
- I believe the pre-season games will be announced within the next couple of weeks. I haven’t received a definitive date just yet, but based on previous years, the pre-season schedule is announced just a few weeks after the regular season schedule is released.
- Tough call here. While I’d personally find it a bit of a relief to be able to interview a player that’s almost at eye level (in three-inch heels I’m only two inches shorter than the 5’5’’ Boykins), I’m going to have to go with Knight. With the loss of Brand in the middle, we now need a player who can not only score, but post-up against some of the bigger guards in the league. While both players are fairly equal offensively, Knight’s overall size and defensive ability make him a stronger fit for our roster.
 Billups |
No Chauncey Billups on your all-beautiful team? I thought you were in love?
Jason,
Chauncey is simply my favorite active player in the NBA. That’s where it ends. I love the way he runs the ball up the court, makes exciting plays and leads his team – something that would be an asset to the Clippers. Other than that, until Mr. Big Shot shaves off his caterpillar mustache, he doesn’t make the cut.
|
And the "TMTOTH" Award Goes to …
Alright, so the whole idea of a Bourne-A-Thon was my brilliant idea. The plan was simple: in one weekend we'd watch The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy at home (with surround sound in the giant plasma TV - AWESOME!) then go to the theater and see The Bourne Ultimatum...
First of all, The Bourne Ultimatum... phenomenal.
Second, since I can't very well win the award every other week, this week's recipient of the "Too Much Time On Their Hands" award goes to... my parents. They proudly participated in my Bourne-A-Thon, even provided the yummy goodness to eat while watching. And for the record, we watched one movie a day instead of all three in one sitting. So congratulations mom and dad, you've won!
In honor of our Bourne-A-Thon, and in keeping up with my now traditional top-five for the week, I leave you today with my personal top five favorite movie car chase scenes of all time.
-
5. The Italian Job (the remake) - pretty awesome chase and not as corny as the remake of Gone in 60 Seconds.
4. The Bourne Supremacy - bonus points for successfully filming this scene on the streets of Moscow without getting seriously injured.
3. The French Connection - Gene Hackman's ability to catch the bad guy who was on a moving train is pretty impressive.
2. Bullit - Steve McQueen is the man. Plain and simple.
1. The Bourne Identity - what a Mini Cooper was made to do. The eye candy inside the car makes this scene even better.
Hey Clipper Nation. Give me something to blog about! Simply fill out the form below to give your suggestions, comments or questions. If you make me ponder or laugh out loud, your thoughts could be posted on Clippers.com! Read more of my blogs here.
We reserve the right to edit your suggestions, comments or questions for the sake of brevity or clarity.
By clicking on the "Send Message" button above, you agree that all materials you submit become available for unrestricted use by NBA.com and waive all rights to them. Submissions will not be returned. Please review the NBA.com's Terms of Use if you have any questions regarding making submissions.
