With the loss of Vlad Rad to the LA Lakers, the Clippers turned their eyes toward a more than suitable replacement, officially signing Tim Thomas to a reported 4 year deal using their mid level exemption.

The Clippers traded Chris Wilcox for Vlad Rad just last season to bring in an outside shooter. Vlad was more than competent from 3 point range, and when he bolted to the Lakers, the Clippers found that they still had the same need, a long range bomber.

Tim Thomas' numbers and shooting percentages are very similar to Vlad's. Unlike Vlad, he didn't seem to mind coming off the bench. During the playoffs, Tim's numbers and shooting percentages actually increased. Off the bench, in limited minutes, he average 15.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and shot 44% from the 3. It seemed like every time the going got tough for the Suns, he would come in and and make the tough shots, including a couple that literally were game savers for them.

Thomas was rated higher than Vlad in free agent rankings mainly because he can also post up and play like a power forward, and he is a better defender than Vlad.

The two players both signed for the same money except the Thomas 4 year deal is reportedly one year shorter than Vlads. It appears the Clippers got a better player for the same money.

So, the Clippers hold court. They lost a good player but replaced him with a slightly better player. It remains to be seen how well he will fit into the Dunleavy system. Coach seems to have no reservations about how well he will fit in.

JamFan

Maybe it is just because they do not have a draft pick until early in the second round. Or just maybe they already know who they are going to pick in the 35th position........hmmmmm. If they are just going through the motions, my guess it is because their target is a player coming out of Europe.

But it is hard to gleam anything out of the workout schedule the Clippers have displayed so far. Other than Jordan Farmar and Aaron Afflalo who were already in their backyard, they have only worked out 3 players.

The three players are all shooting guards who have been playing here in the good ole USA. That is how you know for sure that they are going to draft a center, forward, or point guard out of Europe. It is the old mis-direction play.

Anyway, we have a workout with James "Flight" White, a senior from Cincinnati, Thomas Gardner, a junior from Missouri, and Richard Roby, a sophomore from Colorado. These guys are certainly not household names in college basketball. "Flight" is the highest rated and best known of the group.

They do also have the #52 pick and one mock draft has them drafting a Bosnian player from the Euro leagues, 20 year old PF/SF, 6"11" Darmir Markota. When you read his scouting report his game sounds remarkably like Vlad Radmanovic.

And who is on the upcoming workout schedule for the Clippers with 3 weeks to go......................uh, er, nobody!

If we see any type of report we will let you know. Maybe all of our guys are vacationing over at a destination resort in the Ukraine. Lot of cute babes over there.

JamFan

I can't believe this rumor is true. The reason Griffen at 6'10" doesn't go inside is because he can't. And if you need an outside shooter, Eddie Griffin is not the guy. His career shooting percentage is only 38%, 31% from 3, and 66% from the line. Walter McCarty shoots better than that and we already have him.

I have recently written that Fred Hoiberg, who has now been cleared by his doctors to play, has his agent gaging interest in Fred coming back this year. Fred is the best 3 point shooter in the game. If you need a guy to come off the bench and shoot from the outside, we can get him without trading anybody. Moreover, if Wilcox is gone and Kaman or Brand gets injured, who could adequately fill in. Griffin can't play inside very well, and Rebraca can't be relied on at this point. Singleton would probably be the guy, but why put ourselves in that postion for Griffen who hasn't proven he can shoot in the NBA.

I believe we should keep Wilcox, match any free agent offer next summer and keep him. Wilcox is going to be a star in this league. If you do trade him, I believe you can get a frontline player who is good enough to start. We have talked about trade scenarios involving Wilcox, but it has been for players like Ron Artest and Paul Pierce, not Eddie Griffin. I'm Jamfan, and that's my opinion. What's yours?

JamFan

I tried to piece together their current situation by reading conflicting stories regarding where the Clippers are. Not all sports writers are accurate in their reporting. One report says that the Clips are over the cap which limits their ability to make any moves.

This is true. However, the cap is a soft cap, which means if the team resign their own free agents, those salaries do no count against the cap. Does that mean that the salaries of Brand and Maggette do not count? It appears so.

The Clippers have the highest salary payroll in their history at 51 Million (adjusted for released players). The soft cap is at 49 Mil which means they are over by only 2 Mil. But Brand's and Maggette's salaries total 18 Mil, which gives them plenty of room under the cap to add salary without being penalized.

Confused, well if you read the few articles available out their where sportswriters have addressed this issue regarding the Clippers, you could get more confused. But from what I can tell, the Clippers could trade for a more expensive player or sign an available free agent like Spree, and they would just be spending money without the penalty.

This analysis means that it is more likely that the Clippers would make a move than they otherwise would if they got penalized for every dollar they spent. Sterling probably has his checkbook handy! JamFan

Reports out there include Coach Dunleavy having talks with Indiana to set the stage and Owner Donald Sterling chiming in that he has no problem with the trade. What trade?

So, far it is all talk. The Clippers also reportedly have told Indiana that Maggette is off the table. But that is actually OK with Indiana because they are so high on Danny Granger at small forward, and actually need a center. They don't like Jermain ONeal at center and want him to stay at power forward. Which brings us to Wilcox. Is he the best young center available? If so, this deal might go down if the Clippers include a first round draft choice. And it might go down soon.

If so, the top 7 players in the Clippers rotation will be Brand, Kaman, Maggette, Livingston, Mobley, Cassell, and Artest. Who starts and who gets minutes may depend on match ups and who is playing/shooting well. It also depends on Livingston staying healthy and Maggette getting healthy. The Clippers may start to realize that Maggette is injury prone. He has repeated injured himself the last couple of years. Recently the Clippers lost 5 of 6 with Maggette out. That....will not get it done

However, if healthy, that is a powerful 7 man rotation. But it only works if Artest comes in with his dead screwed on straight. Don't count on it. Oh yeah, it will be OK for awhile. But Artest's problems are not isolated incidences. He has been constantly disruptive to his teams even going back to his college days. There is a long term pattern with Artest.

He has recently said three things that make him a bad risk. 1- He is only going to play for another year or two. 2- He needs the ball (wants to be the first option) 3- He needs a new contract. I don't know about you, but these comments are a deal killer for me.

Cassell is not concerned and says he understands Artest. Coach doesn't seem concerned. Even tighwad owner Sterling is cool. Maybe Artest, after seeing his current teamates, as of today, literally turning their backs on him, not even wanting to even meet with him, make him realize that there is a price to pay for you actions. Even your friends can and will turn their back on you. Maybe Artest will see the light and become a good citizen. NOT! More likely, if the Clippers trade for him they will have play and live with his eccentricities and try to keep them off the court. Wilcox, is in his last year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent after the season and doesn't hide the fact he is not excited about his backup role with the Clippers. The Clips could end up getting nothing for him if they don't match offers next summer.

New poll, Should the Clippers trade for Ron Artest? Go and vote. JamFan

The good news is the Spurs weren't lighting it up either and Duncan was 1 for 11 from the free throw line. But in the end with 17 seconds to go, a timeout is called, the Clippers were on defense, and they are up by 2 points poised to win from the Champs on their floor.

So you are now the Coach. In that time out what do you tell the team to do?

1- Play tough straight up defense and force them to take a difficult shot, even foul them while shooting because the refs eat their whistles in the waning moments. Let the clock run out.

2- If Tim Duncan touches the ball, intentionally foul him (refs call those), stop the clock, and send the MVP to the line with a chance to tie the game.

I don't know what decision you would make (comments are requested), but Coach Dunleavy reportedly told his team to take option 2. He must have been in a coma and forgot he was ahead by 2 not behind by 2. You only go for option 2 if you are behind. Moreover, EB fouled a BIG, 35 ft from the basket with 12 seconds remaining. With the clock now stopped, the MVP goes to the line, hits 2 free throws, ties the game, and the Clippers lose in overtime.

On a bad night, the team still won the game in regulation. The Coach lost the game soon after temporariily losing his mind. JamFan

Since neither team made it to 100, Lawlers Law didn't come into play. That's a pretty good line to end up with a loss. Chris Kaman even had one of his best efforts of the season with 18 Pts. 12 rebs and 3 blocked shots.

We lost a 9 point lead twice, but were still in a postion to win very late in the 4th quarter. The Clippers went on a 10 - 2 run capped by a Mobley jumper with 1 minute to play, but it wasn't enough. Sometimes, a seasoned playoff team, just beats you. They hold you off at crunch time. You have to do everything right to beat them. That one stat, tunrovers, led the Pacers to getting 84 shots to the Clippers 70. Great shooting percentages don't help you if you are not shooting enough

So, the Clippers have lost 2 consecutive games for the first time this season. But, we knew by looking at the schedule, that this would be the stretch where we find out if they are real or not.

We'll have to see if they can pick themselves up and bounce back Tuesday night against the Timberwolves on the road. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net 2 at 5 PM Pacific. Keep the Faith! JamFan

Vans with satellite dishes have become common at Clipper practices, and TV cameramen jockey for position daily around players and Coach Mike Dunleavy.

Such is life for the Southland's hottest NBA team, adjusting to an unfamiliar spotlight. "With winning comes all the accolades and all the attention, and that's what we're experiencing now," forward Elton Brand said Tuesday after practice.

"It's good because it's based on our success as a team. It's based on everything we're doing together on the court, but it's definitely different than what we've been used to.

"It was kind of cool when we were in the shadows; you only had to worry about trying to win games and then go home. Now, everybody's on the bandwagon, but we'd still rather have it this way."

The experience of veteran guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley has helped the Clippers handle their newfound celebrity.

"Sam and Cuttino have played in the playoffs and been through a lot of the things we're just getting a taste of now," Corey Maggette said. "The last time me and E.B. had a great season was when we were at Duke, so bringing in that veteran leadership has been a key.

"They're telling us, 'Hey, let's keep ourselves humble and continue doing what we do.' We're just going to keep working hard and keep this going."

What a diffence 11 games makes. They have continued to rise in everyone's power rankings and they are not making fun of us anymore. Mark Heisler's new power rankings were published in the LA Times, and he now has the Clippers at #3 overall behind San Antonio and Detroit, and ahead of Cleveland, Dallas, Miami, and Indiana. Welcome to the big time. The Lakers are at a generous #17.

I'm shocked personally. I'm afraid someone will pinch me and I will wake up from this dream. Already, when the Clippers win we are all starting to go....ho hum....another win.

The Clippers have already been crowned the Kings of LA. With the win last Friday over the Lakers there is no doubt. The Clippers have to many weapons that are effective every night. The Lakers weaknesses are now exposed for all to see. If Kupcake doesn't do something soon, the fans will slip slowly away, to Clippers games.

There is only one more thing that needs to happen for the Clippers to truely own LA. That is for Jack Nicholson to show up at courtside for the Clipper's next home game. Welcome to the Big Show...Jack! JamFan

So, here are my picks for the final seeds at the end of the season. It is actually hard to do this year with so many teams in transition and injuries to key players. Here goes!

#1 San Antonio - Tough choice. They added key free agents to a championship roster.

#2 Houston - TMac is out but when he comes back they will come together and finish strong.

#3 LA Clippers - Yeah, I believe. They will win close games against top teams and blow out the weak sisters. Maggette and Livingston haven't even played yet.

#4 Dallas - If chemistry doesn't develope they could drop. Might be inconsistant.

#5 Phoenix - Amare might be gone for the season. If he comes back late, it could be to late.

#6 Seattle - Did not improve roster, others got stronger. Coaching change could be a problem.

#7 Sacramento - Changes at key positions, but if chemistry developes they have enough.

#8 LA Lakers - Roster is actually weaker on paper, but Phil Jackson has them actually playing better and some players are stepping up. Bench is question mark. So far, Kobe is a better player this season than last.

After San Antonio there is alot of parity from #2 to #8. There will be alot of teams winning between 40 & 50 games. Moreover, the bubble teams, Denver, Memphis, Minnesota, and Golden State are all very capable of making into the top 8. Only Utah, New Orleans and Portland seem to be teams who would have to improve greatly before being considered for the playoffs. JamFan

2005-06 LAC OPENING NIGHT ROSTER

Elton Brand,
Sam Cassell,
Daniel Ewing,
Anthony Goldwire,
Chris Kaman,
Yaroslav Korolev,
Shaun Livingston,
Corey Maggette,
Walter McCarty,
Cuttino Mobley,
Boniface N'Dong,
Zeljko Rebraca,
Quinton Ross,
James Singleton,
Chris Wilcox

You, the fans voted 37% Yes, 40% No, and 22% Maybe. I voted Maybe. It's probably to early to tell. I think he needs to be around a little longer and prove himself. He can only do that with minutes on the floor.

Our next poll relates to the current situation on who will actually make the final roster. Coach Dunleavy originally said that he was only going to carry 14 players.

But now, with injuries to Livingston and others who are hobbled, it looks like he will carry 15. There appears to be 13 players who have a lock on a roster spot, leaving 2 spots open. The players who are on the bubble include 7" Center Boniface Ndong, PG Yuta Tabuse, 34 year old veteran PG Anthony Goldwire, and SF Rodney White.

With Livingston hurt and with Rebraca's hobbled knees, the team seems to need another backup Center or Point Guard. That would seem to favor Ndong who can play Center, and Tabuse and Goldwire at PG. Tabuse is a fan favorite, while Goldwire is an experienced veteran. The roster has less need for another player who plays Small Forward which hurts Rodney White's chances.

Do you pick a veteran who is only going to decline with age, and give up on youthful players whose future impact is as yet unknown? Do you go with a Center or PG and give up on the instant offence that Rodney White provides and a player who could be great one day?

Alert! It was just announced that Rodney White has just been waived.

You are the now the coach. You must make the final painful cuts. Go vote. JamFan

Injuries have prompted the Clippers to reevaluate their season-opening roster.

Starting small forward Corey Maggette (strained left hamstring), backup point guard Shaun Livingston (back injury), starting center Chris Kaman (sore left hand) and backup center Zeljko Rebraca (tendinitis in his left knee) have been slowed in the exhibition season, with Livingston sidelined indefinitely.

The Clippers had planned to carry 14 players to start the season, but it appeared Monday they would instead have a maximum 15-man roster.

"We're probably going to go that way," Coach Mike Dunleavy said after practice at the Spectrum health club in El Segundo.

"With the injuries, we're just not sure who's going to be healthy to start the season. We just don't know, so we're going to have to look at some different guys in different situations."

Free-agent point guard Anthony Goldwire, recently signed because of Livingston's status, has secured a roster spot by default.

The Clippers need three active point guards, and Goldwire would join starter Sam Cassell and rookie Daniel Ewing at the position. Dunleavy was pleased with Goldwire's performance in Sunday's 112-82 exhibition victory against the Golden State Warriors.

"He was great," Dunleavy said. "He does some good things, and we do need three point guards."

In addition to Goldwire and Ewing, rookie forwards James Singleton and Yaroslav Korolev and veteran forward Walter McCarty are also expected to make the team. That would leave one spot for either forward Rodney White or forward/center Boniface Ndong.

The 6-foot-9 White, signed during training camp, was selected in the first round (ninth overall) by the Detroit Pistons in the 2001 draft. He played in 58 games with the Denver Nuggets last season, averaging 5.1 points.

In seven exhibitions, White has averaged 7.6 points and shot 43.6% from the field. He could provide depth at small forward if Maggette's hamstring doesn't cooperate, but Ndong, a native of Senegal, might be needed if Kaman's hand remained sore much longer.

The 7-foot Ndong, who has averaged six points a game in exhibition play, had his best performance against Golden State, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Ndong has a contractual issue that would have to be addressed, but it probably wouldn't deter the Clippers from keeping him if Dunleavy decided that's what was best for the team.

"I've got to make some cuts soon and the guys have made it harder for me," Dunleavy said. "We have a lot of guys who have played well."

The next poll relates to an article I wrote (read below) titled "Could Rodney White Be The Next Bobby Simmons?" It speaks about how Bobby and Rodney arrived here under similar circumstances. So far Rodney White is 11th in minutes played but 6th in scoring with 9 PPG 3 RPG on 46% shooting. If you project those numbers over 40 minutes, he would produce 21 PPG and 7 RPG. Is he the next Bobby Simmons? Go vote! JamFan

The two things that the Clippers need to do most is one, become a team that can finish games, and secondly, start a winning tradition that encourages players to want to come to this team in the coming years. It begins now. Not after the preseason. How do they do it?

They have the beginning of something every great team needs. They have something the Lakers do not as yet have in their rebuilding efforts. You see, every coach can prepare their teams to beat the Lakers by basically instructing their players to not let Kobe beat them. It is what they did last year and the Lake show had more shooters then than they do now. If Kobe doesn't beat you, then who will?

So, what is it that the Clippers have this year? The answer....... more than just one weapon. Who are you going to stop? You will no longer be able to key on 1 or 2 players. To beat them you will have to stop everybody. Good luck!

In last nights game, Sam went for 18, Corey had 15, CW scored 13 hitting 6 of 7 shots, Elton had 12, Killer Kaman 8 points & 12 rebounds, and our new hero, Rodney closed out with 12 points hitting 5 of 7 shots. As a team the Clips shot 53% form the floor, 50% from the 3, and 94% of their throws. Hek, Cuttino was given the night off just to cheer. Portland didn't know which of our starters to stop. And when we go to our bench this year........we are not going to be pushed around anymore.

Enthusiam is contagious. Shooting is contagious. Finishing is contagious. Winning is fun. We are all going to see a lot more of it this year. Prey we stay healthy. Get ready for the fun. JamFan

White, the 9th overall pick by Detroit in the 2001 draft, was highly touted coming out of college where he attended North Carolina-Charlotte. But he recently couldn't find a job as a free agent and was going begging, much like Bobby did when he was a free agent after his stint with the Wizards. In his short career, he has already bounced around to 4 different clubs. Only 25 years old, he is listed as a SF at 6' 9" and 230 lbs.

Could Rodney White be the Clippers next Bobby Simmons? Given the opportunity to get some PT last night, all Rodney did was score 13 points, hitting 6 of 15 shots, dished off 3 assists, handcuffed 3 steals, elevated for 9 rebounds, 4 offensive, all in only 27 minutes.

Is Rodney White is for real? The Clippers can only hope! JamFan

It's early in the season yet, but one thing is obvious already. Corey Maggette is the Man. He is putting up numbers every night, including 21 last night, hitting 3 of 5 three pointers, 6 for 6 from the line and 5 rebounds. He seems to want to continue to be the team leader by getting the job done every night.

With so many players out, others had to step up. Daniel Ewing started at point guard and made good on his opportunity scoring 12 points with 5 assists in only 29 minutes. Chris Wilcox started to finally make some noise with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 offensive, in 28 minutes. Quinton Ross went for 10 on 5 for 11 shooting in 20 minutes. Rodney White added 13 points.

From a Team concept, the most important development in last nights game was that the Clippers did not fade down the stretch in a close game. A reversal of the old trend of winning through 3 quarters and losing in the final minutes is the most important change our team has to make this season in order to make a run to the playoffs and beyond. JamFan

Last nights game gave us a glimpse of things to come. It's obvious that Sam Cassell is running the show when he is one the floor and is more than capable of doing so. Mobley turned into a human highlight film hitting 7 of 8 shots for 17 points in only 21 minutes. Our two off season aquisitions are the two stars who seem to want to carry the team so far early in the preseason.

So where are our stars form last year. Maggette picked up where he left off last year hitting 6 of 15 for 17 points in 30 minutes with 5 rebounds. But Brand, out with a bruised thigh, Livingston, bad back, and Kaman, gone to a funeral, opened the door for other players to get some PT.

So who took advantage. We saw the emergence of a player that TopBuzz fans know about, but the rest of the sportsworld is still probably saying "Who's that guy." Yes, James Singleton! In only 23 minutes all he did was score 11 points on 2 for 2 shooting, collect 12 rebounds including 2 offensive, and more importantly hit 7 of 8 free throws. To me that means he is going to the hoop and whoever was guarding him was helpless, sending him to the line several times.

So who is not taking advantage of the extra PT. Well, with 15 players playing in the game and the PT spread around among so many, there isn't any obvious disappointments except maybe Chris Wilcox, who only scored 7 points with 5 rebounds playing a team high 30 minutes. He benifitted from Kaman's absence and Rebraca's early departure from the game with tendinitis in his knees, a re-occurring injury that worries me because we need the depth he provides at center.

Tonight we get to see how the team responds out on the road as they face the Suns on what is the first of 5 straight road games before returning to Staples to face Seattle October 27. JamFan

The real rumor is an ever more ridiculous trade that would include Maggette and another player, Brand, Wilcox, or Livingston. The Celtics must think that Elgin is suffering from severe brain loss.

A straight up trade is at least a little more realisitic in that the two players have very similar numbers. It seems that more voters agreed with my last article that Maggette is 2 years younger, improving every year, his numbers have gone up every year, and Pierce's numbers have gone down the last 3 years in a row. Advantage Maggette!

The next poll deals with one of the next important issues facing the Clippers this season. Sam, I am, so far is being a good citizen and giving great hope to Clippers fans. I think he actually enjoys being here and playing for this team.

Sam has already asked for a contract extension. And you can understand with the injury he had last year why the Clippers would have a wait and see attitude. Waiting to long to address the extension is also a gamble. Good Citizen Sam could become more disgruntled if the situation drags on to long and it could become a distraction from such a promising season.

If Sam is healthy and returns to the all star level form of 2 years ago.............you have a chance to sign a 4th quarter clutch shooter, something the Clippers have always desperately needed, for a bargain price. Sam is in the twilight of his career. If he was 28, It would cost the Clippers a bundle. But at age 35 he gets less, because an older player is more of a gamble. A two year extension would make him a Clipper for 3 years, including this year, and he would be 38 at the end of the contract. By that time Livingston would be more than ready to take over the reigns, maybe even sooner. Go vote! JamFan

After his injuries of last year healed and allowed him to play up to his potential, he actaully started to blossom and finished the season strong with 9.1 PPG, 6.7 RPB, 1.08 BPG shooting 50% in only 26 minutes. Projected over 40 minutes his numbers would have been 15 PPG, 11 RPG, & 1.73 BPG.

Then comes the Vegas Summer leagues. Summer leagues by nature are more run and gun, there's alot of outside shooting by guys trying to impress somebody, and it's just not a conducive sitution for big guys to show off their skills. So all Chris did was go for 20.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.8 BPG on 53% shooting, and was named a 1st team All Star. But that isn't the end of story. Many scouts reported that he dominated. Would have been the MVP if they had such an award.

If he is about to explode this would be a good time to do it. The new Clipper roster is conducive for a Big to show off his skills. The last couple of years the Clips were not blessed with outside shooting allowing teams to collaspe on defense and more or less dare them to shoot outside. This makes life rough for Chris and Elton. It won't be that way this year. Defenses will have to stretch themselves out creating opportunities for the Bigs to do their thing inside. So, the time is now. Chris needs to go to SuperCuts for his new doo, to go along with his new image. Yeah, black steaks on blond, spiked straight up in the air. Then we will christen him......The Killer Kaman. JamFan

The other rumor out there has Maggette and Wilcox going for Pierce. But, let's put each one of you in the GM's chair and see if you would make that trade. Paul Pierce's numbers and production per minute played is essentially the same as Maggette's. However, his numbers have actually dropped off every year the last 3 years. He seems to have peaked 4 years ago. Maggette is two years younger and could actually get better. His numbers have gone up every year. He made big strides last year.

Paul is as good as he is going to get. Now, with Coach Dunleavy telling the world that Wilcox's body and game is starting to remind him of Amare Stoudemire, how would you justify to the fans trading two for one. I think the reason these rumors have never turned into a trade is that it is debateable that you would trade the two players straight up much less throw Wilcox into the deal. Elgin didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday and Coach would never endorse that deal.

In our new poll I am asking only about a straight up trade, only because I couldn't see any fan voting for a 2 for 1 trade. Go vote. JamFan

I'm Shocked. You die hard Clipper fans really are paying attention and do your homework. Little has been written about Singleton except for what I posted here on TopBuzz. He has been in Italy the last two years. So I'm surprized that he was the leading vote getter.

Early reports from camp says that indeed Singleton and Wilcox are raising eyebrows. Wilcox's phsyical body and skills is being touted as starting to resemble Amare Stoudemire's. Are you kidding me? If he brings Amare's game then watch out.

According to Coach Dunleavy, the biggest surprise so far is actually Korolev. At age 18, and boyish looking by nature, he seems to be able to perform in all aspects of the game better than you would expect from such a young raw rookie. He apparently isn't backing down from anybody or anything. Things are starting to sound interesting.
Stay tuned. Jam Fan