Mailbag

Jay Johnson

(Editor’s Note: Questions may be edited for grammar, brevity or clarity.)

NEW YORK – Clippers head coach Doc Rivers recently called Raymond Felton a “godsend” and an “absolutely wonderful” addition for the Clippers this year both on and off the floor.

While in New York as the Clippers took on the Knicks, one of Felton’s former teams, Felton took some time to answer questions from fans, submitted to Clippers.com using “#LACmailbag” on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can submit questions about anything. Here’s what he had to say.

Kelli Pomodoro Erickson – What’s the transition been like from Dallas to LA with the Clippers? #LACmailbag

RF: “It’s pretty much the same thing. The NBA’s all about screen-and-rolls, learning how to play within somebody’s system off the ball and learning how to be a pick-and-roll guy. That’s what I am. I think it’s just the same thing, and also just the familiarity, getting used to the organization, playing with guys I already know, a new coach. You be somewhere for two years, you get used to something, and you come to a new team, it’s different at first. But after a while, being in the league 12 years, it’s one of those things you jump on it real quick.”

Du Foo – What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to play with your formal college rival Chris Paul? #LACmailbag

RF: “It’s cool. There’s two of them, actually. I got him and J.J. (Redick) on this team, two big college rivals I played against my whole college career. It was just one of those things that it was exciting. I know what those guys bring to the game. To be beside them and play, it’s like, ‘OK, let’s go get ‘em.’”

Jessica Lingenfelter (@jessicatiara7) – Question from my 9-year-old basketball obsessed son: What is your best shooting advice? #LACmailbag

RF: “It’s all about repetition. It’s all about shooting. A lot of people say your mechanics have to be a certain way, this and that. I think if you shoot enough and you work on the way you shoot and you work on your mechanics, I think that’ll make you a better shooter than people just telling you, ‘You need to shoot with a certain form, shoot this way, shoot that way.’ Some people, like Reggie Miller has an awkward shot, he don’t have a great mechanic shot like a guy like J.J. Redick, but Reggie Miller’s one of the best guys to shoot in this game. It’s all about getting in the gym and working on your shot.”

Sam (@whodatclippers) – Do you have a favorite buzzer beater or clutch shot that you’ve hit? #LACmailbag

RF: Man. There was a few. When I was in Charlotte, I hit a game-winner versus the Wizards. I don’t know…I’ve had a couple game-winners.”

E1 (@E1zPagan) – Felt, you excited to play at the Garden? #LACmailbag

RF: “Of course, it’s always fun to play at the Garden. It’s probably one of the best places to play, just to have fun and enjoy the atmosphere.”

(Aside question) Speaking of the Knicks, how much did it help you here to play for assistant coach Mike Woodson, who was your former coach in New York?

RF: “I know pretty much the whole coaching staff and have a relationship with just about all of them. But definitely having a guy you played for, for two years, and understanding him and knowing him, that helps. We definitely have a relationship.”

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Mailbag 02/09: Raymond Felton

Celeste Mendez

LOS ANGELES – Jamal Crawford continued moving up the all-time ranks this week, jumping to No. 3 in bench scoring in NBA history during the Clippers’ win in Phoenix.

This week, Crawford took some time to answer questions from fans, submitted to Clippers.com using “#LACmailbag” on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can submit both on and off court questions. Here’s what he had to say.

Kevin Vischer – How difficult is it to come off the bench and immediately get hot?

JC: “Very difficult. I had to trick myself. It’s a lot easier starting, to be honest with you. When you’re starting, you’re playing 35 minutes, you can start out 1-for-5 and end up 9-for-18, you can shoot yourself in a rhythm. I’ve done both, and it’s a lot easier starting. You come off the bench, you have to have an immediate impact and everyone in the gym knows what you’re coming in for. It’s a little bit more difficult.”

Wyatt Smith – What kind of workouts do you do to get your handles so smooth?

JC: “I just keep the ball with me. Wherever I go, I have a basketball with me. I used to dribble a basketball down the street to the movie theater, to the mall. Now, I don’t go that far with it, but I have it in the car always ready to go. You should always keep the ball with you, let your imagination run wild, always be more instinctive than robotic.”

João Soares(@JSoares06) - Are you confident this team is capable of reaching the conference finals and potentially the NBA Finals? #LACMailbag

JC: “I’m very confident in this team. I think the leadership that we have, obviously with Doc (Rivers) and everybody, and this being one of the deepest teams in the league, I think that’ll play to our advantage. Obviously there are things we’ve got to work out, we’ve got to be healthy, go through the ups and downs and ebbs and flows of the season, but I’m confident in us.”

Celine (@creepscth) – Which teammate do you have the best handshake with? #LACMailbag

JC: “I would say me and Double-A (Alan Anderson), just because he made it up and it’s the longest. He made up ours. DJ (DeAndre Jordan) and Blake (Griffin) made up ours, too, but ours is kind of quick and to the point. That one is long. That one’s got to be the best.”

Jake Ashkinos (@jakeashkinos) – What team do you look forward to playing against the most?

JC: “I would say the Spurs. They’ve just been the golden standard for 15-20 years, so I look forward to playing them.”

Loretos Rubai (@Sarijus) – Why don’t you have an Instagram account?

JC: “To be honest, I’m not into brands and stuff. It took me forever to get Twitter. I was one of the last ones on. I’m going to expand on that... I’m not really into brands. I think my brand is just being authentic and being me. Everybody goes right, I go left. It took long enough to get Twitter, and that was it.”

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Mailbag 02/02: Crawford Answers Fan Questions

Joseph Ibarra

LOS ANGELES – Brandon Bass is seeing more minutes, scoring more points and shooting at a higher percentage, with all three of his double-digit scoring efforts coming after Christmas.

This week, Bass took some time to answer questions from fans, submitted to Clippers.com using “#LACmailbag” on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s what he had to say.

Joshua Boost – How do you feel about the minutes you’re getting now compared to the beginning of the season? #LACmailbag

BB: “It feels good. I just think that it gives Doc another chance to see what I can bring to the team, and it gives my teammates a chance to see what I can bring to the team each and every night.”

Bobby Gamache – At what age did you realize your goal was to reach the NBA? #LACmailbag

BB: “I was probably about 14. I was in high school, a freshman in high school, and I think I grew to be like 6-3. I realized I really wanted to take basketball serious. I felt like I had a chance since I grew about two, two and a half or three inches that year. I was still playing as a big. In eighth grade I was 6’1, then I grew even more.”

Sami Ochieng – Why do you wear No. 30? #LACmailbag

BB: “That was my number in high school. I decided to keep it. I picked it, and I just stuck with it. I don’t think there was really any reason I can remember why I had it.”

Sonja Rideout – If you weren’t a professional athlete, what would you see yourself doing? #LACmailbag

BB: “Probably would be making music.”

Jack Berlage (@BerlageJack) – Has anything led to your recent great shooting performances or is it just getting hot at the right time? #LACmailbag

BB: “Opportunity to be out there and play consistently. Just spending extra time in the gym, making sure I’m preparing like I’m going to play every night.”

Lars (@LarsAOYN) – Do you play an instrument? #LACmailbag

BB: “No, I would like to pick up the piano, though.”

cris (@_yungcris) – What’s been your best experience as a Clipper? #LACmailbag

BB: “Really just kicking it with my teammates.”

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Mailbag 01/08: Bass Answers Fan Questions

Robyn Dixon

LOS ANGELES – It’s been a memorable month for Austin Rivers, who got his jersey retired at his high school outside Orlando before dropping a season-high 25 points against the Magic, and is shooting 47.5 percent from 3-point range in December.

This week, Rivers took some time to answer questions from fans, submitted to Clippers.com using “#LACmailbag” on Facebook and Twitter.

Alex Drury – What do you think you’ve improved most at since you entered the league? #LACmailbag

AR: “I think my patience has been the biggest thing. I think I was always in a rush early on in the league. I think I’ve learned to be patient, and to not give what the defense is giving me but to take through my rhythm, through my speed. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Joshuwa Gensemer – How did it feel to have your jersey retired at your high school? #LACmailbag

AR: “It was one of the most memorable nights I ever had, and it has little to do with the fact my jersey was retired. I think it was more, the fact that I got my jersey retired with my former and current teammates is probably one of the coolest things I think any teammate could have, to see where I’m at now, where I was before, and to have everybody see that was pretty cool.”

Anne Story – What’s your favorite memory of playing at Winter Park? #LACmailbag

AR: “Winning state (titles) with my friends that I grew up with. We didn’t have a prep school…so all those kids I won with, I’ve been friends with since I was in like third grade. We all grew up knowing we were going to high school with each other. To grow up and say, ‘One day we should win states,’ and we won back to back, which no one has ever done before (there), that’s pretty special.”

Luke Mitchell (@lukemitch24) – What was your favorite Christmas present ever? #LACmailbag

AR: “I got a motor scooter when I was, like, 12. I wanted one so bad, for whatever reason. I got a motor scooter. Everybody was riding the little Razor scooter and I got a motor one, so I was driving around. I thought I was real cool, so that probably was my favorite gift ever.”

Katy Terry (@kateterry64) – What have you done to improve your 3-point field goal percentage? You’re on fire! #LACmailbag

AR: “Gotten way more shots up. Just been shooting the ball way more, as you just saw. I never did this last year, getting this many shots up, shooting with J.J. (Redick), shooting after J.J., shooting before J.J. I’m trying to shoot more threes than anybody on my team.”

Clips Fan For Life (@StevenYaghoubi) – Did you learn anything from last season’s playoff series going into this year? #LACmailbag

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Mailbag 12/22: Austin Rivers Answers Fan Questions

MIAMI – DeAndre Jordan continues to reel in honors after a summer that included First Team All-NBA and All-Defense nods and an Olympic gold medal.

Before taking off on the Clippers’ three-game road trip, Jordan was given his Olympic champion ring. Once the trip started, Jordan was given a game ball in Orlando for becoming the Clippers’ all-time blocks leader, with three against the Magic to go with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Jordan took some time as the road trip shifts to Miami to dish out answers to fans’ questions, submitted to Clippers.com using “#LACmailbag” on Facebook and Twitter.

Klay Kellison – How did it feel to receive your Olympic championship ring? #LACmailbag

DJ: “That was amazing. I didn’t know they gave out championship rings, I thought we just got a gold medal. That was amazing, especially in front of the home crowd. That was really cool. They’ve supported me for a long, long time.”

Ryan Johnson – If you could face off 1-on-1 against any NBA center, past or present, who would it be? #LACmailbag

Erik Garcia – Who are your favorite music artists? #LACmailbag

DJ: “Oooo, that’s tough. I can’t give you just one. I’m listening to are Future and Kendrick. I like Ab-Soul’s new album.”

Royal Basketball (@RoyalBasketball) – Who was your favorite center growing up? #LACmailbag

Spiro Schialdone (@Spiroschialdone) – What’s your greatest memory since entering the NBA? #LACmailbag

DJ – “Making the playoffs for the first time.”

Mary Saunders (@marysaund) – In-N-Out or Fatburger? #LACmailbag

DJ – “Ooo, In-N-Out. But I do like the egg at Fatburger... I am a burger guy, but actually I’m more of a Mexican food guy.”

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Mailbag 12/16: Jordan Answers Fan Questions

LOS ANGELES – Jamal Crawford’s only 15 points away from passing one of his former teammates, Grant Hill, for No. 88 on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard.

As Crawford continues moving his way up the NBA’s all-time lists while embarking on his 17th NBA season and fifth straight with the Clippers, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year took time Wednesday to answer fan questions on this week’s mailbag, submitted on Facebook and Twitter using “#LACmailbag” after the question.

Rob Town – Is the top of the key your favorite look? #LACmailbag

JC: “Yes. You can see everything, so you’re kind of, I don’t know if you want to use the term behind the defense, that’s kind of opposite but I can see everything. I see where help’s coming from, I see all the angles I have, so yeah, it’s definitely my favorite place.”

Bill Bos – Who’s on your personal Mt. Rushmore of basketball players? #LACmailbag

JC: “That’s tough. So, four? I know Michael (Jordan) and Magic (Johnson) are on there. So, Michael, Magic, Isiah (Thomas) and I’ll split the last one Kobe (Bryant) and (Allen) Iverson.”

Cody Doaner – What player did you look up to most before you were in the NBA? #LACmailbag

JC: “Michael Jordan. I took stuff from everyone’s game, but Michael Jordan, if I had to pick one person.”

Stephen Cisterna – How have the bench dynamics changed since Raymond Felton has joined in at point guard with Austin Rivers playing more small forward? #LACmailbag

JC: “Myself and Austin are more combo guards. I think Ray’s a pure point guard. Basically having the three guards with that experience and all being able to play multiple positions and kind of lead the charge I think is fun. It’s tougher for the opposition to, kind of, defend when you have three guards attacking.”

Jake Ashkinos (@jakeashkinos) – Who’s your favorite player to play against? #LACmailbag

Favorite player to play against? “Kobe (Bryant). He’s the best player I’ve ever matched up with.”

Luis Catacora (@luisc_11) – What would you consider your signature move on the court? #LACmailbag

JC: “Got to be the behind the back crossover”

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Mailbag: Crawford Answers Fan Questions

nbaplatformservices

Mailbag: Brice Johnson Answers Fan Questions

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Karen Song

Rowan Kavner  Digital Content Coordinator

LOS ANGELES- J.J. Redick remains the league’s leader from long distance, shooting 48 percent from 3-point range in a career year.

This week, Redick went off the court before playing the Warriors to answer fan questions on the Clippers mailbag, which were submitted on Facebook and Twitter using “#LACmailbag” after the question.

Some of the best questions this week came from Twitter, and here are Redick’s answers. (Note: Questions may be edited for grammar, brevity or clarity).

Brad Hill (@dbradfordhill): JJ, would you ever consider coaching basketball after your playing days are over? #LACmailbag

Redick:“I would never say never, but it’s not in my plans to be a coach… If I had time post-career to coach my sons playing or something like that. I think the only thing that would ever really interest me would be like 15 years from now if Duke said, ‘Hey, do you want to come coach?’ I think that would be the one thing that would pique my interest a little bit.”

Austin Dail (@Dail13A): Are you going to sleeve your other arm? #LACmailbag

Redick: “We’re debating. We already have what it would be, me and my artist. I know what I want, but my wife only wants me to have one sleeve. We’ll see. We’ll see who wins that.”

Katie (katieeebbbb):Do you miss playing with Blake? #LACmailbag

Redick: “I definitely miss playing with Blake. I feel like me and him had a really good connection and two-man game out on the court, as he does with Chris, too. He’s definitely missed by me.”

Paul Albitar What are some of the toughest matchups for you? #LACmailbag

Redick: “San Antonio stands out, just because they’re the No. 1 defense in the league and have two of the better perimeter defenders in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. They’re always tough.”