| Don’t Count Out The Clippers Authored by Drew Decker - October 15, 2008 - 12:09 am
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A Melo Behind The SuperstarsCarmelo Anthony has never been one of the league's most efficient offensive players.
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Players cast adrift, dealt or departing for greener pastures include: Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Shaun Livingston, Brevin Knight and Quinton Ross. Of the 18 players currently in training camp there are only five holdovers from last year’s squad. This means that the 2008-2009 fifteen man active roster will be comprised of ten new players. The remainder of this article will take a look at the new additions, each player’s likely impact on the upcoming season, and the salary cap ramifications for the future.
Baron Davis – The crown jewel of the incoming crop was supposed to have been part of a one-two punch with Brand that would propel the Clippers into the upper echelon of the Western Conference. However, Brand had other ideas and left Baron standing at the altar. The oft-injured Davis played all 82 games for the Warriors last season and the chance of that happening again is about as likely as Tim Donaghy returning to the league as a referee. All the stars happened to be aligned and it didn’t hurt that Baron was playing for a contract. Now that he has his 5-year $65 million deal, Davis likely won’t be an iron man. However, I also don’t expect him to miss forty or fifty games either. Although still playing the game at times with reckless abandon, Davis knows he is the centerpiece of the team and needs to stay on the court if the Clippers have any chance of contending for a playoff berth.
Marcus Camby – Camby’s acquisition from the Denver Nuggets for what amounts to the right to exchange a future 2nd round draft choice could turn out to be one of the biggest heists in NBA history. The move was obviously a salary dump for the Nuggets, and the Clippers conveniently had the cap space due to Brand bolting for Philadelphia. Camby is a former Defensive Player of the Year and still one of the best defenders in the league. Although Brand is certainly a much better scorer, the rest of the numbers are pretty much a wash. It should also be noted that Brand and Chris Kaman are essentially the same player and Kaman really excelled with Brand out of the lineup much of last season. Since Camby isn’t really a post-up center and prefers to roam the perimeter on offense, these two big men figure to compliment each other very well. With two years and $20 million left on his deal, Camby should be motivated to stay on the court and play for one last big contract before calling it a career.
Ricky Davis – Talent has never been the issue with Ricky Davis. It has always just been a matter of harnessing that talent within the framework of the team concept. Davis will likely be the sixth man and contribute major minutes at both shooting guard and small forward. Ricky was signed to a one-year deal for $2.3 million, so the risk is minimal with the reward potentially being substantial. In a contract year, Davis could easily average fifteen points on this team and be the 2nd or 3rd option when he’s on the floor. Beyond this year it is anybody’s guess whether Davis will remain a Clipper. However, if he stays out of trouble and puts up solid numbers then Ricky could make himself a great deal of money on the open market.
Jason Hart – This is Hart’s second tour of duty with the Clippers and he will be making $2.5 million in the last year of his contract. The motivation should be there for Hart to prove himself as a capable back-up and spot starter. If he doesn’t distinguish himself, the Clippers won’t bring him back and will likely acquire another point guard in the draft or via free agency. However, if Hart does produce then he will also have an opportunity to be amply rewarded on the open market once the season ends.
Steve Novak – If head coach Mike Dunleavy gives him minutes, Novak should be able to stretch the court and provide a Jason Kapono-like presence. It remains to be seen if Novak will be a major factor, but with one year and about $800,000 left on his deal it’s not much of a gamble. Kapono parlayed his one true skill, shooting the long ball, into a $25 million jackpot. Novak likely won’t ever get that kind of a contract, but every team needs shooters and he could easily carve out a nice ten year career in the league with solid production from behind the arc.
Brian Skinner – This guy is the consummate banger and was brought in to pound the glass when either Kaman or Camby aren’t on the floor. Like Hart, Skinner is making his second tour of duty with the team. This should prove to be a solid acquisition as Skinner is only on the books for one year and just over $1.25 million. At that low price, Skinner should pay a significant dividend and provide at least seven rebounds a game coming off the bench.
Eric Gordon – A lot of people “in the know” are comparing Eric Gordon to Ben Gordon. However, after watching a few of EG’s college games I think he’ll turn out to be more like Lancaster Gordon. Best case scenario is that Gordon blossoms into a Vinnie Johnson clone with better range. Worst case is that battles weight and injury problems his whole career and is out of the league in six years. With veterans like Cuttino Mobley and Ricky Davis getting most of the minutes at shooting guard, Gordon may not contribute much in his rookie season.
DeAndre Jordan – Expected to be a lottery pick at one time, Jordan slid down the draft board and the Clippers gladly scooped him up in the 2nd round (not to mention his bargain basement contract of three years and $2 million). The kid has the size and skills that could make him a solid pivot man in the league for the next decade. With Camby serving as a mentor for the next two years, Jordan should soon be ready for prime time.
Mike Taylor – When free agent Jason Williams suddenly retired earlier this month, Taylor’s chances of seeing some action this season sharply increased. Taylor’s salary is only $500,000 and he will likely never be more than a career backup. Stranger things have happened though and a Baron Davis injury may result in Taylor being a major factor.
Jelani McCoy – Although Curtis Sumpter, Dontell Jefferson, and David Noel have a shot to make the roster, my guess is that McCoy will get the nod. With both Camby and Kaman almost assured of missing multiple games, another experienced center is needed. McCoy isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he brings above average defensive skills to the table.
Although it may take a while for the team to gel, the Clippers have enough talent and firepower to finish with a 45-37 record in a highly competitive division. If Baron, Camby and Kaman can all play seventy or more games (admittedly a tall order), then the Clips could go 52-30 and contend for a 7th seed. The flip side is that the big three play fifty or fewer games and the team returns to their usual and customary position in the lottery. Either way, it should be entertaining to watch Baron and Co. navigate through the rugged waters of the Western Conference for the next seven months. |
