Never a star but always the reliable role player, he never wore out his welcome. He last played for the Clippers in 01 and after a long jouney through the NBA returns to where it all started.

His career numbers are 5 PPG and 5 RPG in 18 minutes while shooting 50% from the floor. Unfortunately his free throw shooting percentage is barely above his field goal percentage.

By waiving Josh Powell to make room for Brian, the Clippers gave up a young power forward with potential for a veteran who is a proven commodity. He will mostly back up Marcus Camby, but is capable of doing some duty a center if Jordan isn't ready to back up Kaman. He will add a defensive minded player to the roster. Last season he averaged 1.2 blocks in only 12 MPG. Welcome home, Brian.

JamFan

If there is one thing that your Bigs on the front line like more than anything is the outside shooters spreading the floor making there work so much easier down low. Teams will be unable to sag and will have further to travel to double team our low post threats. Moreover, a spread defense allows Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, and Al Thorton, to drive the lane and either score or kick it out again to shooters waiting on the wings.

Ricky Davis, despite being a head case a times, has been a good team mate according the guys he has played with. The 28 year old Davis has scored in double figures that last 9 seasons in a row while shooting a lofty 45% from the field, mostly from the outside. Last season in 31 minutes he had 14PPG. 4 RPG, and 3 APG while shooting 44% from the field and 40% from the 3. In the 3 seasons he was given 40 minutes per game, he averaged 19-20 PPG.

To be able to get Ricky Davis on our roster basically with our left over money is quite a feat for the Clippers front office. This off season they literally have fixed the two biggest problems the Clippers have always had, a lack of outside shooting and depth in the roster. This year when we go to our bench, Clippers fans will barely notice a drop off in play and effectiveness.

If you want to know more about Ricky Davis, you can go to his website.
http://www.rickydavis31.com/

JamFan

Jamfan

The Clippers first target was New York's Zach Randolph. They made an offer of a second round pick for Randolph but were rebuffed. Randolph's contract was for 3 years at 14 Mil per year, but his numbers were a lofty 18 and 10. They tried again, offering only a second round pick, and picked up 34 year old veteran center Marcus Camby from Denver. The often injured Camby is a career long double double machine. But his specialty is not scoring but rather rebounds, defense, and blocked shots. At 34, Camby reached his career high in rebounds with 13 per game last season. That feat was punctuated by only scoring 3 points per game while still averaging 10 rebounds during the playoffs. Still, his contract only calls for 8 Mil next year and 7.6 Mil in it's final year, so he becomes a short term rental for a year or two.

The confusing thing for Clipper fans is that Camby is a center, or at least that is the postition he has always played. He seems athletic enough to make the transition to power forward, but he may be to one dimensional on offense. Hopefully his strengths on the defensive end and rebounding will make up for it.

The Clippers gave up no assets to get Marcus Camby, and have left themselves with enough cap space to more adequately round out their roster and make sure their bench is deep. They also still have to ability to trade the contracts of Cat Mobles and or Tim Thomas to bring in another player, so they just might not be finished yet.

JamFan

Surprisingly, Josh Smith was already in LA on Tuesday, long before it was officially announced that Elton Brand was heading to Philly. He is scheduled to meet with the Clippers management on Wednesday.

Will they take a chance and give him the same offer that that they gave Brand? Will Atlanta match the offer? Can they somehow front load the offer so that Atlanta would be reluctant to match? Are they willing to lose a week of negotiating time needed to work with other free agents while Atlanta is making up their mind?

At age 22, Josh Smith just might be worth the wait. He is 2nd in the NBA in blocked shots and was 7th in steals during the playoffs. He carried Atlanta to a 7th game against the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. He went for 17PPG and 8RPG last season and his numbers have been climbing every year. He is both an offensive and defensive presence that could rock our world for many years to come.

Honored as Mr. Basketball in the State of Indiana, Eric broke all scoring records for freshman in the Big 10 and at Indiana University. Averaging 21PPG, he was also honored as Big 10 Freshman of the Year. He was also honored as a second team All American and also 2007 Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year.

All of the honors are great, but the Clippers drafted him because with his outside shooting from downtown, he opens up the offense so the Bigs can work down low. He hit 43% from the field and 34% from the 3 as a freshman. His numbers would have been even higher but he struggled with a wrist injury the last 7 games of the season. He can also drive to the bucket and draw the foul, so defenders can not cheat on him.

In one of his last pre draft workouts he hit 10 NBA 3's in a row and commented afterword that he wished he had shot better. Is he the shooter that the Clippers have so sorely missed for several seasons? Will he be Rookie of the Year? His jouney begins in NBA Summers league that is only about a week away. Look for him to be paired at SG with PG Mike Taylor who was drafted in the second round out of the D League. They should make quite a pair.

Ticket sales will be brisk. Baron Davis is coming back to help resurrect a franchise that has been decimated by injuries just after finally reaching the playoffs two seasons ago.

He joins a pair of stars in Elton Brand and Chris Kaman. He comes to tutor another young budding star in Al Thorton, the scoring machine. He comes to mentor one of greatest young shooters to ever come out of college, Eric Gordon. He is there to help put it all together into one smooth engine firing on all cylinders. He will push the offense like no other point guard in the history of the LA Clippers. He will score.

Do we have the makings of one of the most talented back courts in all of basketball, Baron Davis and Eric Gordon? Can they combine for 40 points a night? Will they shoot the lights out? With their outside shooting will they free up our big guys down low, so that they can have their way with any defense that tries to stop them? Will there be another great player that will sign a long term mid level deal with Clippers just so he can be a part of what is about to happen? The Red Baron flies again, this time in a Clippers uniform.

JamFan

Many NBA commentators were surprised that DeAndre did not decide to back to school for one more year. Even so, he was projected as a lottery pick in many mock drafts and was supposed to be gone by the middle of the first round. Had he stayed in school one more year, mock drafts for 2009 had his as a top 5 pick. Fox Sports, in their winners and loser article, stated that the Clippers were one of the biggest winners in last weeks draft. Not because of Eric Gordon, but because they were able to get DeAndre in the second round. He is a young project. But he is a 19 year old 7 footer, with a huge wingspan, off the charts athleticism, he is quick, and he can run the wing on the fast break. He has been compared to Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. Will he turn into one of those players? His jouney begins in the NBA summer league as a member of the Clipper squad. This is one show we will not want to miss.

I can't find one reliable rumor regarding the Clippers making a trade. I really can't see them giving up an asset to trade up because they are going to get such a great player at 7. I can see some players, like Brandon Rush and a couple others, who might be worth trading down for if they can pick up a pick or player in the process.

As usual, the Clippers are not talking. The GM's who are floating rumors are usually doing their fake left and go right manuever to keep teams from putting a value on the player they are really going to take.

I have changed my mind about who is the best player in the draft. After the Final 4, I was quite sure that Derrick Rose was #1. But the more I looked at tape, and studied the stats, I have come to the conclusion that Michael Beasley is the guy. But at the 1 and the 2, you would be very satisfied taking either player based on your team's need.

Usually, there are far fewer trades on draft day than rumors. So let's assume there are no trades going down before the Clippers pick. I am going to go out on a limb and give you my first 7 picks and whom the Clippers might take in the second round, depending on whose available.
1- Chicago - Derrick Rose
2- Miami - Michael Beasley
3- Minnesota - Brook Lopez or Kevin Love
4- Seattle - OJ Mayo ( told the 3-5 teams not to draft him, he could drop)
5- Memphis- Kevin Love or Brook Lopez
6- New York - Danilo Gallinari
7- LA Clippers - Jerryd Bayless
* Bayless doesn't fall - Then it's Russell Westbrook - then Eric Gordon
2nd round - LA Clippers - Courtney Lee - Billy Walker - George Hill
In that order depending on whose available at the time.

Players we might trade down for - Brandon Rush, DJ Augustin

OK, I can hear the Hee Haws out there already. This is actually one of the hardest draft in some time to get a handle on. There are a lot of really good players among the top 16. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is also very hard to predict if any Euro players are going to make an impact early on.

So you don't like my picks. Feel free to hit the discuss buttom and let me have it.

JamFan

There are rumors about the 3rd pick that many assumed would go to Brook Lopez. Many feel that he will drop and the 3rd pick could cause a disruption that could cascade right down through draft affecting who could be available when we get to the Clippers 7th pick. Most feel that pick would have been targeted at a guard. It is now possible that the best player available might be a "Big".

Oh, yes, the second round. All of the discussion about the 7th pick means we have to analyze players, both big and small for the Clippers. If they go big in the first round they are likely to go small in the second and visa versa. And there are plenty of interesting options.

First let's look at some "Bigs" who are likley to be available early in the second round.

Joey Dorsey - PF Memphis - some felt he might move up into late in the first round, but he had an inconsistant Pre-Draft Camp. He could be a good NBA role player who can rebound and play defense, but may never be a great scorer.

Omer Asik - PF/C Turkey - the Clippers have reportedly scouted and had contact with Asik overseas. Considered one of the top 7' players in Europe who could be brought in to back up Kaman.

DJ White - PF Indiana - a short but powerful PF with a 7' wingspan. Good low post game. Likes to dunk and block shots. Explosive, athletic, and a good rebounder.

Nicola Perovic - PF/C Serbia - another good Serbian big man who some think is better than Omer Asik. Good low post game with a baby hook shot. Averaged 22 and 7 with 63% from the floor.

If for some reason the Clippers go big with their first pick, they will still have a glaring need for another shooter and a point guard.

Ty Lawson - PG UNC- lightning quick and very athletic. He is my candidate to be one of the most likely players to drop out of the first round because he is short at 5'11" for the NBA and will have trouble with defensive matchups. But if you are looking for a PG guard to come off the bench who can run the break and dish the rock, Ty would be a great catch in the 2nd round.

DeMarcus Nelson - SG Duke - was supposed to be late 2nd rounder but has had an excellent Pre-Draft Camp so he may be moving up. Scored 22 points the last day and has been the leading scorer almost every day. He is a shooter with 3 point range and the Clippers like players coming out of the Duke program.

Sonny Weems - SG Arkansas - quick, athletic, likes to run the floor. Has an Al Thorton style motor that runs and runs. Can score in a variety of ways but is considered a raw talent who would need some seasoning. It is hard to predict how good he could be eventually.

Lester Hudson - SG/PG Tennesee Martin - if you are looking for a scorer, Lester might be you man. He has 3 point range and averaged over 25 PPG in college while playing the point. He has had a sucessful Pre-Draft camp, and has tremendous skill for a player who could be taken late. He was 3rd in the nation in scoring and 4th in steals.

Kyle Weaver - PG/SG Washington St. - another combo guard who is quick, a good defender, but not necessarily a great shooter. A tall guard with a big wingspan who can play both positions.

I know there are certainly other players we could consider early in the 2nd round. We do not as yet know those who could drop or who the sleepers are over in Europe. Certainly, the Clippers have shown in the past that they will take a chance in the 2nd round on unknown quantities. They haven't been very successful in the 2nd round. Most of their picks have left the team within a year or two or never made the team at all. This year could be different. This is a deep draft with some really good talent that will be available to them late.

My favorite is Lester Hudson. We need a PG, and getting one who is already a big time scorer as well and with 3 point range seems to be the best of all scenarios for the Clippers because they need a PG and a shooter. He has a killer cross over dribble and is a very creative passer helping his team mates score while scoring a lot himself. He was also 4th in the nation in steals and third in the nation in scoring. One scouting report compares him to Rodney Stuckey. We should be that lucky.

The Clippers have surprised me just about every year in the 2nd round so I am not hopefull they will take anybody on the above list. Usually I end up saying "suprise, surprise, surprise".

Jamfan

With the draft now only one month away, speculation is starting to heat up about what all of the top teams in the draft are going to do. The Clippers have the 7th pick and two of their top players, Maggette and Brand, are in a position to opt out of their contracts. They could also seek extensions, seek trades, or wait until the following summer to figure out what they are going to do.

The consensus is that Brand will not opt out and will probably seek and extension. Maggette will probably opt out or seek a sign and trade. Trading Maggette at this point seems more likely but to which team and for whom? So far the rumors have been distant and more of media speculation than hard negotiations.

Meanwhile, what New York does might affect the Clippers more than you might would think. Danilo Gallinari is not coming to the NBA workouts starting next week because his team is still playing in the playoffs over in Europe. His first stop when he gets here, New York. His father played for new coach D'Antoni for 8 years in Italy and there are deep connections there, not to mention D'Antoni speaks fluent Italian. Danilo's people say he will work out for very few teams. Do they already have a committment from the Knicks?

If so, this really helps the Clippers if they really have there eyes set on OJ Mayo. Currently, NBADraft.net and some other mock drafts have OJ going 6th to the Knicks. But if they pick Gallinari, OJ drops right into the Clippers lap for the taking.

Morever, there is some speculation that Miami might trade down to get OJ, trying to pick an additional asset while getting the player they want anyway. If OJ is what Miami wants, and the Clippers want the #2 pick allowing them to get either Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose, they would have to package their pick to move up.

It is unclear what the Clippers would offer to create such a deal or what Miami would be willing to accept. We are now only 30 days away from the draft. The rumor mill on draft picks and trades is just getting started.

JamFan

They reported it like is common knowledge. If so, the Clippers must be aware of it. So why didn't they go ahead and trade a player who is having a career season and at least get something for him? He makes so little he certainly doesn't clear a lot of cap space next summer.

So where will he sign? Will it be the Clippers? I think the Clippers can either offer him a bigger deal or a longer deal than other teams.

But will they? That same article said that EB is not going to opt out. Why not? He is paid a lot better than Corey. But will the Clippers be willing to have over 40 Mil devoted to just 3 players? That is what it is going to take to keep EB, Maggette, and Kaman on the same roster for the next few years. Q ross is also an unrestricted free agent. He certainly will sign somewhere for more than the paltry $800,000 that he is making now. So if the Clippers want tot keep him, they will have to pony up some more bucks for him as well.

Meanwhile they are taking this "injury" opportunity to give Thorton as many minutes as possible to get him up to speed as quickly as they can. Is he the heir apparent for our small forward position? He certainly will not need a raise for a couple of years. If he ends up starting at small forward next season, the 13+ Mil they would have to give Corey could be spent on a top flight shooting guard or point guard. They may feel that Livinston's knee is just to risky to depend on next season to allow him to once again play at they same level he was at last year. Or they could use the 6 Mil exception to get a top veteran PG, and spend Corey's money on an all star level shooting guard.

The possibilites are endless. The reality for the Clippers is never all that certain. If Corey opts out and is gone, just because you now have the money to spend, doesn't mean top players will want to come to a team that seems to be in such a disfunctional state of disarray.

JamFan