Clippers assemble the best
August 10th 2008 03:25
If anyone had told you the Clippers had lost their two best players, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, following their disappointing 07-08 campaign which notched only 23 wins, you could be forgiven for cringing at the thought of their upcoming season.
That is one thing coach Mike Dunleavy won't be doing though. Ever so quietly he has been assembling a team of veterans through free agency and trades that hasn't looked so good since Boston did the same thing and went on to win a championship last season.
First it was Baron, the fearsome guard who dishes like a one and scores like a 2, who also has proven leadership abilities which were seen in his bringing together an out of sorts Golden State roster to bring down first seeded Dallas in the playoffs in 06-07.
Then came Marcus Camby the defensive stalwart, the apparent last and only line of defence in Denver's squad.
And now Miami's roster has been raided for two key veterans, Ricky Davis and Jason Williams, two reliable ball players, who will only look better with good players surrounding them.
And this is all without mentioning the future of the franchise, Eric Gordon. Gordon is a very similar build and player to Baron Davis, and one wonders if Dunleavy brought Baron in to help mould this lights-out three shooting, big-bodied athletic finisher.
A quick look at the line up for next season reveals more than an alright roster. A very good offensive team that will score alot and defend very well, with some of the quickest hands in the business stealing the ball along with two of the best shot blockers going around in Camby and Kaman. This is also a team of exceptional passers, along with being very athletic.
Baron Davis and Jason Williams would no doubt share duties at the one while Eric Gordon and Cuttino Mobley would fill it up at the two. This is a backcourt that can really shoot the three. Ricky Davis and second year player Al Thornton would share the Small Forward position, while the Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman would compose a very scary frontcourt. Last season, Camby and Kaman combined for an imposing 26 rebounds per game and 5.8 blocks a game. This will be a combination to watch.
What should be worrying the other teams in the NBA though, is that this is a team with depth. Players on the bench in this team would be starting at other teams.
That is one thing coach Mike Dunleavy won't be doing though. Ever so quietly he has been assembling a team of veterans through free agency and trades that hasn't looked so good since Boston did the same thing and went on to win a championship last season.
First it was Baron, the fearsome guard who dishes like a one and scores like a 2, who also has proven leadership abilities which were seen in his bringing together an out of sorts Golden State roster to bring down first seeded Dallas in the playoffs in 06-07.
And now Miami's roster has been raided for two key veterans, Ricky Davis and Jason Williams, two reliable ball players, who will only look better with good players surrounding them.
And this is all without mentioning the future of the franchise, Eric Gordon. Gordon is a very similar build and player to Baron Davis, and one wonders if Dunleavy brought Baron in to help mould this lights-out three shooting, big-bodied athletic finisher.
A quick look at the line up for next season reveals more than an alright roster. A very good offensive team that will score alot and defend very well, with some of the quickest hands in the business stealing the ball along with two of the best shot blockers going around in Camby and Kaman. This is also a team of exceptional passers, along with being very athletic.
Baron Davis and Jason Williams would no doubt share duties at the one while Eric Gordon and Cuttino Mobley would fill it up at the two. This is a backcourt that can really shoot the three. Ricky Davis and second year player Al Thornton would share the Small Forward position, while the Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman would compose a very scary frontcourt. Last season, Camby and Kaman combined for an imposing 26 rebounds per game and 5.8 blocks a game. This will be a combination to watch.
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