Hornets.com’s 1-on-1: Los Angeles Clippers’ Elton Brand, Ralph Lawler
Hornets.com and Hoop magazine writer Jim Eichenhofer chatted with Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand and Los Angeles Clippers television play-by-play broadcaster Ralph Lawler on Monday at the Ford Center.
Brand is a two-time All-Star who was Chris Paul’s teammate on the USA Basketball team at the 2006 World Championships. The former Duke standout and No. 1 overall draft pick in 1999 grew up in the same town (Peekskill, N.Y.) as Hornets first-round choice Hilton Armstrong.
Lawler is one of the longest-tenured broadcasters in the NBA, having spent 28 years with the Clippers.
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Q:How well do you know Hornets rookie Hilton Armstrong, who like you is a native of Peekskill, N.Y.?
A: When I was in 12th grade, he was in eighth grade, so he was just coming up through the ranks. I knew his father, because his father used to help (coach) our team. So I know Hilton pretty well.
Q: Hilton’s playing time has fluctuated a great deal recently, having gone from the starting lineup to getting DNPs in some games. What advice would you give him to deal with being a rookie and his situation?
A: I actually already gave it to him. I leave messages for him once in a while. My advice for him was, ‘Keep your head up and play hard. Not all rookies get to play, but keep listening to what the coaches tell you and work hard. Keep getting better and never doubt yourself.’
Q:Is there any reason why you think a town of about 20,000 people in upstate New York could produce two NBA first-round draft picks in a span of seven years?
A: I think it’s because of (Peekskill High) coach Lou Panzanaro [a New York state high school Hall of Fame coach]. He’s a great coach. Our team won the state championship twice when I was in high school, and he’s won the states two or three times since I left there. He studies the game and gives us the basics.
And Peekskill still has a few more kids coming through the pipeline who are solid prospects.
Q: Former New York governor George Pataki once said that he is actually not the most popular native of Peekskill, due to you. Do you agree with that ranking?
A: [laughs] I don’t know! Maybe nationwide I am (more popular). I know his tenure is up soon. Maybe nationwide I got him, and I have some fans in China. [grins] But I think in New York, he still has me beat.
Q: From your experience playing with Chris Paul on USA Basketball, what is your impression of him after being a teammate instead of on an opposing team?
A: He’s an amazing player. He gets to the basket and creates. He loves to pass. He loves it. I’ve never gotten so many easy baskets as I did playing with that guy. You know, Shaun Livingston is doing some of the same things, setting guys up for easy buckets. Plus, you’ve got to respect Chris’ shot, and he’s cat-quick.
Q: What do you think is the biggest key for the Clippers to make a second-half run at a playoff berth?
A: People have said that we’ve been disappointing, but I think that is kind of ridiculous, because we still haven’t played with our whole unit yet. Sam Cassell’s been out, Cat (Cuttino Mobley) has been down, Corey Maggette’s out. Tonight we had (most of) our team. I realize New Orleans has been down, but we’ve been losing to everybody, regardless (of the opponent’s situation), so it doesn’t matter.
Q: Can you sympathize with what the Hornets are going through right now, with all of their injuries?
A: Definitely. They are a well-coached team that is playing hard, but they have MAJOR pieces out. The guys who are out there for them are fighting hard and giving their best effort.
Lawler |
Q: Everyone says the Lakers are Los Angeles' team. How much of a dent do you believe the Clippers made from a popularity standpoint based on their success in 2005-06?
A: Well, you have to understand that Los Angeles is a huge market. There is lots of room for lots of teams to have lots of fans. There are two professional hockey teams, two baseball teams, two major college football and basketball programs. There is plenty of room for two NBA basketball teams.
It's not a matter of putting a dent in (the Lakers' popularity). The Clippers have their fans, and the Lakers have theirs. There is some overlap between the two. The Clippers are drawing 18,000 fans a night. So there is plenty of room in that huge, huge market for both ballclubs.
Q: After the best season in franchise history, the Clippers have surprised by playing below .500 so far this year. What do you think are the main reasons behind their disappointing play?
A: That's a question everyone is trying to answer right now, because it's perplexing to all of us. I think a trip to Moscow for training camp got us off to an uneven start. There were several players injured in training camp, and the conditioning of the team as a result of all that, is not where it was (compared to) a year ago. It seems like everybody was a step quicker a year ago than they are now.
That's what (coaches are) trying to figure out, whether they should have basically a (second) training camp where they really work these guys between games super hard to get them in shape. Then you run the risk of burning them out. It's a dilemma for the coaching staff.
Q: Do you still believe that the Clippers will make the Western Conference playoffs?
A: It's going to be very difficult, because the West is absolutely loaded for bear. The Hornets thought they'd be in the hunt, but because of injuries they've dropped off the pace. Our club just can't afford to lose games like they lost in Atlanta (on Saturday). Tonight is a game the Clippers absolutely must win, because it's always hard to win on the road, but as shorthanded as the Hornets are, they are a team that the Clippers have to beat.
Q: What is your assessment of Shaun Livingston's development? The way he played over the latter part of his rookie season, many analysts are expecting stardom from him.
A: I think the belief is that he still has star potential. Although he is in his third season now, he hardly played at all in his rookie year (due to injury), and he missed the opening 20 games last season. So he's really only about a year and a half into his development at this point and is only 21 years of age.
He's a starting point guard on an NBA team that is on the fringes of making the playoffs, so he's doing something right. But it's tough to be tagged with that, that you're going to be a star the minute you walk in the league at the age of 18. But that's the burden he has to bear. He's a very sharp kid, very mature and very focused on becoming the best player he can be. I think he's going to be a very, very good player.
Q: For fans who watch Clippers games on NBA League Pass, your "Bingo!" exclamation after a Clipper makes a perimeter shot is one of the most recognizable calls in the league. How did that expression originate?
A: When the NBA adopted the three-point shot in 1979-80, the Clippers had a player we acquired from Cleveland, named Bobby "Bingo" Smith. He was a pretty good three-point shooter, so whenever Bobby would make a three-pointer, I would say, 'Bingo!' I just expanded it, and the fans kind of caught on to it. I decided it was something to keep using. And it became kind of a trademark.
