| Clippers Need The Answer Authored by Graham Flashner - December 14, 2006 - 11:37 pm
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The Clippers should do whatever they must to obtain Allan Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers.
For whatever his other flaws, Iverson would supply at least one important body part the Clippers seem to be missing these days: heart.
The team that seven months ago was the toast of Clipper Nation, is now getting roasted by impatient fans who see a team that’s lost its fight.
We haven’t been giving a good effort,” said Elton Brand. “We got blown out at home, which should never happen.”
It was the second double-digit home loss in a row for the Clippers – an unthinkable occurrence last season.
Wednesday night, the Clippers got out-hustled and outplayed by a physical Jazz team that dove for loose balls and crashed the offensive boards like it was Game 7.
The Clippers played defense like pre-season had just started, and the only thing they crashed into all night was each other.
In their defense, they were missing two important players, Corey Maggette and Sam Cassell. Tim Thomas, thrust into the starting lineup to combat Utah’s frontcourt size, needed a cortisone shot in his hand. Elton Brand (20 points) got into early foul trouble, allowing Carlos Boozer (28 points) to have a monster second quarter that put the Jazz back into the game.
“We’re not clicking like we should.” added Cuttino Mobley. “But it is early.”
Sure it’s early, and the schedule’s been merciless, and hey, if the Clippers played in the Atlantic Division, they’d be in first place.
But something’s missing. Call it spark. A sense of urgency.
Iverson would bring all that, and more. Imagine the problems he would pose for defenses, who’d have to worry about A.I.’s dribble-penetration, Brand’s post-up jumper, and Kaman rolling to the basket. Imagine Iverson, the league’s premiere fast-breaking guard, running the floor with Brand, Cassell and Quinton Ross filling the wings.
Earlier in the week, reports surfaced that a deal was imminent. The Clippers were willing to deal their discontented forward, Corey Maggette. They weren’t, however, willing to part with point guard Shaun Livingston, unwilling to mortgage the future for a battered 31 year-old guard whose contract will cost a good $14-15 million more than the 21 year-old Livingston’s.
But just what future are we talking about here?
The Clippers will never be in a better position to contend for a championship than now, if they add Iverson to the current group.
Livingston, in his third NBA season, has shown flashes of being the take-charge player that Mike Dunleavy envisioned since Livingston made the jump to the NBA from high school in 2004.
Then there are the other nights, when Livingston looks uncertain and hesitant, and disappears for quarters at a time. Either way, his metamorphosis will not come overnight.
By the time Livingston comes of age, he may be dealing with a whole new supporting cast of Clippers.
And there’s no guarantee that Livingston, good player that he is, will ever become an impact player.
Adding Iverson would be the kind of blockbuster move that could transform a season, galvanize a team, and win over legions of fans for whom L.A. still means Lakers. A.I, would instantly become the most exciting, the most transcendent player in team history. And its most passionate.
Yes, the Clippers would be weaker defensively without Livingston. And they’d lose some spark if they had to give up Mobley, also a rumored name in the deal. And they’d have to contend with Iverson’s mood swings and emotional outbursts and, no doubt, a few missed practices and miscommunications with his coaches.
Doesn’t matter. This is one time where the Clippers would be best advised to think outside the box, and outside the scouting reports.
The future is now. The Answer is out there. Only the question remains. |
