| What Hope For The Clippers? Authored by Drew Decker - March 31, 2009 - 1:18 pm
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The Clippers currently have an abysmal 18-56 record. Bringing in Thomas to right the ship isn’t the answer, but something must be done. As another deplorable season draws to an ignominious close, this is one columnist/blogger’s assessment of the team’s performance over the past season and their prospects for the future:
Highlights:
• Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan and Mike Taylor all performed exceptionally well at various times throughout the season. Gordon, in particular, emerged as a reliable scorer and appears to be a fixture at shooting guard for the next decade (unless he bolts for greener pastures when his rookie deal expires).
• After being acquired from the Knicks, the much maligned Zach Randolph has continued to produce (21.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg). There are really only a handful of other big men in the league putting up similar numbers and their names are Howard, Ming, Gasol, Nowitzki, Bosh and Duncan.
Lowlights:
• The lackluster season of Baron Davis certainly stands out. Davis is much more effective in an up tempo system, but Dunleavy had him corralled in the halfcourt for most of the season. Aside from a few flashes of brilliance, Davis was never really able to flourish.
• Injuries to Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, Davis and Randolph. The Big Four were almost never healthy enough to be in the lineup at the same time.
• Other than a ten-day stretch midway through the year in which he was semi-decent, Ricky Davis has been a dog with fleas. Ricky Martin has as much of a chance to be on the roster next season as Ricky Davis.
Turn Out The Lights:
Since Mike Dunleavy has been head coach, the team has compiled a 193-291 record. This is a winning percentage of .398. Simply put, the man is inadequate, inept and incompetent. As long as he is on the bench there is no chance of returning to the playoffs. None.
I realize that he is being paid a hefty sum to be the only head coach/general manager in the league. However, it is time to relieve Dunleavy of his head coaching duties.
The players on the roster appear to openly despise him and it is clear to even the most casual of fans that a change would be beneficial.
There are several successful coaches currently out of work (Flip Saunders and Avery Johnson are two that immediately come to mind) as well as a number of ex-players like former Clipper Mark Jackson itching for an opportunity.
Rather than going with a retread, I would take a chance on Jackson. Statistically, he is one of the best point guards ever (2nd all-time in career assists ahead of Magic, Kidd and the aforementioned Mr. Thomas) and I’m almost certain that Baron would excel in an up-tempo offense under Jackson’s direction.
Let’s face it. The Clippers are always going to be second class citizens in Los Angeles. However, I firmly believe that despite their horrific record this season, the team isn’t that far away from contending for a playoff berth.
Yes, I am the same person who was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility by Chris Reina for ninety days back in December after writing that the Clippers had the talent to win 45-50 games and challenge for the 8th seed in the playoffs. That is beside the point though.
The Clippers still possess the talent to compete with nearly every other team in the league. A ship needs a competent captain though, and the current captain clearly doesn’t have the right stuff.
At this point, anyone would be an improvement over the dumbfounded Dunleavy and Malignant Mike should be given the chance to spend more time with his family (if you know what I mean).
When not residing in a psychiatric facility, Drew blogs about basketball and a wide variety of other topics at shawnkempskids.com. |
