 Lawler |
Please note: Lawler's thoughts and opinions are his and his alone. In no way do they necessarily reflect those of the Los Angeles Clippers organization. (But we listen to him anyway because he's the "Voice of the Clippers.")
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Ralph,
I LOVE my Clippers but I can still watch other games and enjoy many but do you have any thoughts on why the S.A. Spurs put me to sleep? I can't watch them play because they bore me to tears. Are they boring or is it me? I am completely confused because no other team does this to me.
Thanks,
Leah Crenshaw, Pomona, CA
Leah –
You are on to something. The Spurs have not been a big TV rating getter over the years despite their championship success. They are brilliantly methodical. Obviously, some find them boringly methodical. Instead of highlight plays they bring you execution. That said, Tim Duncan is the best dull player that ever lived.
- Ralph
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Dear Ralph,
Let me start by saying you and Mike Smith are THE greatest announcing team of all time. My question is about Jumpin' James Singleton. I know that he's been unhappy about his limited playing time (he's not the only one), and I was wondering what you think will happen with James next season. What is his trade value, in your view?
Thanks,
Matt M., Los Angeles, CA
Matt –
James probably hasn’t accomplished enough yet to have any significant trade value. He brings energy, to be sure. As his offensive game develops he could become a very good NBA player. Of course he’d like to play more. Every guy on an NBA bench would rather be on the court.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I've been a Clippers fan since 89-90 season and I was excited since M. Dunleavy was hired. My question is if the Clippers make the playoffs how will they do against the Suns or Mavs?
Thanks for your info.
Rudy Zavala, Los Angeles, CA
Rudy –
My preference would be to play Charlotte or Boston, but the Clips Feels that they can play with either of the teams you mention if they can get and keep their top 8-players (Cassell included) healthy. They came within 10 of Dallas without Sam and without Tim Thomas. I think Coach Dunleavy is particularly adept at preparing a team for a 7-game series. It is very different from preparing for a regular season game where you may see an opponent only once in two months. I like the Clippers chances if they can get to the playoffs. The KEY is getting there.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I'm a big Clippers fan. I even have a Clippers license plate on my car. I have only been to about ten Clippers home games. But every time I have been to a game, they have won. Do you think that I could possibly be a good luck charm for the Clippers?
Dee Douglas, Oxnard, CA
Dee –
I’m in Oklahoma City as I respond to you. Wish you were here.
- Ralph
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Hi Ralph,
I just want to know why the Clippers signed Will Conroy for the second time again.
Simon Wang, San Diego CA
Simon –
For a couple of reasons. With Sam out, the coach was concerned about not having a third point guard available with the possibility of Hart or Ewing getting in foul trouble or (shudder) getting injured. Also, Portland and the Lakers put a lot of pressure on Ewing bringing the ball up the court in recent games and Conroy might be more effective against full court pressure.
- Ralph
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Hey Ralph,
How could we get a list of all Clippers in the past 20 years? You know, a roster?
Luis, Maywood, CA
Luis –
The Clippers NBA media guide has it all and may be available online or at the Team Store. The Clippers website has a great deal of information available under the History section and then there’s this website of a collector like this one: http://www.jameskramersports.com/.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I'm a big Clippers fan, but those Warriors look tough with six solid players (Baron, JR, SJax, Al, Biedrins, and Monta). Do you think any team can beat them? They already proved they can beat the Mavs and Suns.
Martin W., Los Angeles, CA
Martin –
It’s going to be quite a final week of the season. The Warriors are down to their final four games. As I write this, they have 38 wins. 42 is their max potential. The Clippers fate remains in their own hands. Golden State has a formidable offensive team. They still lack an effective low post player and that would likely be their undoing in the playoffs.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Do think the Clippers have the best attitudes and play with the most effort in the NBA? I think it was great to get Conroy again, what do you think?
Isa Neusteadter, Irvine, CA
Isa –
The team’s attitude and effort has been excellent since the All-Star break. Conroy was a good pick-up as an insurance policy because of the uncertainty regarding Sam Cassell’s back problems.
- Ralph
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Hey Ralph,
I want your opinion on this. My neighbors of Clipper Nation in section 207 and I can all agree that Jason Hart has been the main factor in these recent wins. He brings the right tempo that creates a good rhythm for everyone on the team. Due to him I believe this is the best Clippers team I've seen all year. Tell me what you think and if I'm wrong on this.
Thanks Ralph.
Michael Verceles, Los Angeles, CA
Michael –
When Tim Thomas is healthy, the Hart-led Clippers play the best they’ve played all season, no doubt. There are more reasons than Jason Hart for this. The improved play for Maggette, Mobley and Kaman, for example. And don’t forget the coach … he changed the offense to adjust for the absence of Sam Cassell.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Is there an agreement between the Players Association and the coaches in regard to not allowing players to foul out? It seems that the coaches don't utilize their players to their maximum ability and are always benching them rather than have them obtain that sixth foul. Why?
Stephen Levine, Redlands, CA
Stephen –
No agreement. That’s silly. But a coach wants to protect a key player to be sure he’s available for a late game play. The general guideline is that a player comes out when he gets a second foul in the first quarter, a third foul in the second quarter, a fourth foul in the third or a fifth in the fourth.
- Ralph
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Hey Ralph,
I just wanted to write you and tell you and Mike that you guys are doing a great job this year. I love listing to you guys. You’re always making me laugh like when u say "UH O MAGGETTE O" and when Chris Kaman is out of control you always make something up to make me laugh. You and Mike are great at what you do and one reason I think that is, is you guys respect other teams and players.
Go Clippers, Go Bradley Braves!
Thanks,
Chad Slauson, Chatsworth, CA
Chad –
I especially appreciate the Bradley Brave reference.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
How's Shaun doing? Please let him know a whole nation (Clipper Nation) wishes him well.
Derek Jacquette, Compton, CA
Derek –
Shaun in doing well. He’s working 5-6 hours a day in rehab. He made a surprise visit to appear in the team photo. Everyone was really happy to see him. He’s wearing a big leg brace and walks with the help of crutches.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Have you ever met Mr. Ultimate Clipper Fan who comes to every game and chants "lets go Clippers lets go"?
Edward Chow, Irvine, CA
Edward –
Oh yes. “Clipper Darryl” is special. He meets us at the airport when the team returns from a road trip. He’s there even if it’s 2:00 AM. He’s a very special fan of the team.
He was a guest of the owner at one of the playoff games in Phoenix last season. He had dinner with Donald T. Sterling and a group of us the night. He loves the team and the team loves him.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
How come you hold your own microphone during the game? Also, how can you hear Mike Smith without a headset?
Andrew John
Andrew –
I’ve been doing it that way since the beginning of time and see no reason to change. I think I have better use of a hand-mic than I would with a headset microphone. I can back off a little bit when I scream “Bingo,” for example. To hear Mike Smith and the producer and director in the truck, I wear a small telex earpiece in my left ear.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a sports broadcaster like you and Mike?
Taylor Moxon, Long Beach, CA
Taylor –
Your best bet is to get a good, broad education. Know as much about a lot of things as you possibly can. It helps to attend a college that has a good telecommunications department. Work hard … be aggressive in seeking opportunities and spend as much time on the air as possible. There is no better training than actually doing it.
- Ralph
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Hi Ralph,
Did we re-sign Jason Hart? If so, for how long? Do you think that Jason Hart is a steal because he is only 28?
Tyler Tosian, Thousand Oaks, CA
Tyler –
Jason is signed for the balance of this season. He’ll be a free agent this summer.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I am 13 years old and I have been a Clippers fan forever. The thing that I have been wondering is why rookie Paul Davis doesn’t come in for Kaman when he needs a rest? I know we put in Aaron Williams but Davis is young and he has the talent. Hope to hear back.
Tyler Tosian, Thousand Oaks, CA
Tyler –
The coach generally prefers to go with either Tim Thomas or Elton Brand at center when he takes Kaman out of the game. Coaches always prefer experience over youth.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I like Jason "The Hitman" Hart like the former wrestler. He "hits" his shots... and he is a big hit with the Clipper Nation.
Ed Rutherford, Anaheim Hills, CA
Ed –
No question, without Jason Hart, the Clippers would not be in the playoff race.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Which free agent should the Clippers go after this season? Or should they trade a player for another good player?
Kai Poon, Los Angeles, CA
Kai –
Some of that will depend on the draft. The Clippers will have one and possibly tow first round picks. What needs are not addressed there, will be addressed through free agency or trade. I would think that, in no special order, the needs would be Point guard, a shooter and more athleticism.
- Ralph
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Hi Ralph,
Do you think the Clippers will keep Hart, target a PG in the draft like Acie Law or Conley (if he comes out), or test the free agency market?
JT, CA
JT –
If Conley comes out, I think he’d be gone before the Clippers would pick. Law might be there at 11 or 12 and if the Clippers own Minnesota’s pick. He could be the guy.
- Ralph
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