| Clippers Season On The Brink Authored by Graham Flashner - February 17, 2005 - 2:35 am
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With Kerry Kittles acquired in a trade, with promising draft picks Shaun Livingston and Lionel Chalmers expected to bolster a bright young nucleus led by Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the Clippers were ready to surprise in ’05.
And surprise they did. Despite extensive injuries that taxed their bench, their depth, and their offense, the Clippers played hard, played well at home, and hung with the lower echelon of the Western Conference playoff contenders. On February 3, they regained the .500 mark (23-23) with one of their most dramatic comeback wins of the season – at Memphis, kicking off a marathon nine-game road trip that, they hoped, would make, not break, their season. Last year’s team, and its 28-54 record, seemed like a bad memory, wiped clean from the slate.
Two weeks later, everything has unraveled. Seven straight losses—the first six by a total of twenty points—have sent the Clippers limping into the All-Star Break. Incredibly, thanks to the ineptitude of the teams in front of them, the Clippers are still clinging to post-season dreams.
But an uneasy feeling of deja-vu looms. The Clippers are no better than they were after 53 games last year: they have the same 23-30 record. One year ago, they went off on an important five-game February road trip – and lost all five, effectively imploding their season. The real collapse came with a 2-16 record in March, and 18 losses in their final 21 games.
Surely, this year’s group is too good to suffer a repeat performance. Right? Hello? Anybody?
This writer believes the current-model Clippers will rebound somewhat, but will be unable to overcome a crippling series of injuries that will keep them short-handed well into March. It should be noted that the Clips have made tremendous strides since last year’s dismal finish. Thanks in large part to an A-list coach and a nucleus of hustling, hungry, team-oriented players, thousands of new fans decided it was ‘Hip to be Clip’. While no Clipper will be spending the All-Star Break in Denver (unless they’ve got a ski vacation planned) they’re a young, aggressive team that is rarely blown out, and has battled superior opponents into the final minutes.
While it might appear that the Clippers could use some help, no major trades appear to be in the works before the Feb. 24 deadline. That’s because the Clippers are trying to solve their problems from within, rather than looking outside. Not unlike last year, when Brand, Jaric, and Simmons missed a total of 62 games, the Clippers have been killed by injuries. With Chris Kaman, Chris Wilcox, Livingston, Chalmers, Corey Maggette, Kerry Kittles, and Marco Jaric all sidelined for some or most of the season, the Clippers have yet to play at full-strength, and the forecast isn’t good. Kittles is out indefinitely with a degenerative disk of the lower back. Jaric, whose return to the lineup provided a much needed spark and defensive lift, sustained a stress fracture to his foot and is out another month. Livingston, who’s played only 13 games, is out until mid-March with torn ligaments in his shoulder. Maggette, also recently returned from a shoulder injury, has yet to regain his shot.
Unable to develop the cohesiveness achievable only by months of playing together, the Clippers have played well in spurts. The constant lineup juggling has disrupted their offensive rhythm, a shortcoming never more apparent than on this road swing, when the Clippers were unable to hold fourth quarter leads, missed big shots on crucial possessions, and never established a go-to guy when the game was on the line. Back-to-back losses in Milwaukee and Philadelphia ended on last-second misses by Rick Brunson, a gutsy player who will never be confused with Reggie Miller in the clutch department.
The good news is, things could be a lot worse. The Clips are only 4.5 games behind the Lakers for the No. 8 playoff seed, with one game left against their rivals. There’s still time for a turnaround, but with the roster depleted as it is, a strong second half appears unlikely. The schedule – which includes a seven-game road trip in late March – is also not favorable. The playoffs will have to wait another year.
Now, it’s time for the Clippers Report Card, a highly arbitrary individual summation of the first half.
Elton Brand, F: ( 20.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg) The Rock. Dependable power forward and post presence, he’s stayed healthy this year, and has been a force on the offensive glass. A calming force in the locker room as well. A
Bobby Simmons, F: (16.6/6.2) The surprise of the year. A reserve last year, Simmons stepped effortlessly into the starting lineup and hasn’t looked back. An improved mid-range jumper, relentless work on the boards, and a low turnover ratio make Simmons a valued frontcourt mate. A
Chris Kaman, C: (8.2, 6.2) Steady, hard-nosed player who improves daily. Needs to become more of a dominant player defensively, considering his 7’0 size. B
Corey Maggette, G: (20.7/5.8) The man the Clips look to at crunch time, his slashing drives to the basket open up the floor and create opportunities. A top-drawer scoring threat when healthy… which he was up till a January 29 shoulder injury. Unfortunately, hasn’t been the same since. A-
Marko Jaric, G (10.5/6.8 assists) It’s been a frustrating season for the Clippers’ starting point guard. Injuries forced him out of the lineup until early January, and now he’s out again until March. A defensive sparkplug when he’s played, as well as a good floor general. B
Quinton Ross, G: (4.7/1.2 assists) Rookie has shown some flash and speed. Had his best game on Super Bowl Sunday in Philadelphia, ringing up 15 points in 30 minutes. A welcome addition off the bench. B-
Shaun Livingston, G: (5.5, 3.3 apg) After missing 39 games with a dislocated kneecap, the Clippers hailed Livingston’s return in Toronto, and the No. 1 draft pick delivered: a nifty 10 points and 9 rebounds in just 25 minutes, a sneak peek at what could be the team’s point guard of the future. He’s played far too little to be evaluated, but could be the special player that puts L.A. over the top next year. (INCOMPLETE)
Rick Brunson, G: (5.8, 5.2 apg) A career reserve player, he stepped in for the injured Kittles and impressed Mike Dunleavy with his hustle and point-guard abilities. Not a natural shooter, but a gifted passer and tenacious defender. A
Chris Wilcox, F: (9.3, 4.8rpg) Clips had high hopes for him when they drafted him in 2003. The sophomore from Maryland has been mentioned in trade rumors (the most popular involving Milwaukee’s Michael Redd) but has barely seen enough action to interest anyone. Injuries have limited him to 32 games.
Kerry Kittles, G: (6.2, 1.8 apg) Acquired from New Jersey to be the Clips’ top shooting guard, but never got into the groove, and injuries have virtually ruined his season. A major disappointment. D
Mike Dunleavy, Coach: No one prepares his team better for games, but Dunleavy’s habits of leaving starters on the bench for long periods has frustrated many. Substitutions may be the weakest part of his game. Otherwise, a capable leader who’s getting the most out of unproven talent, and has had to juggle lineups almost nightly. B
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