Los Angeles Clippers 2009-10 Facts:
- Western Conference: 12th Place
- Pacific Division: 3rd Place
- Record: 29 Wins 53 Loses
- Playoffs: No Playoffs
Key Moves:
Incoming
- F Blake Griffin
- F Ryan Gomes
- G Randy Foye
- F Al-Farouq Aminu
- G Eric Bledsoe
- F Brian Cook
Outgoing
- G Steve Blake
- F Travis Outlaw
- F Drew Gooden
- G Mardy Collins
- F Steve Novak
For the first time in a long time the Los Angeles Clippers fans can be excited. Blake Griffin is finally healthy and the world will get to see him play. Griffin is a high energy player and will try and dunk it on everyone who gets in his way. The problem with the Clippers is that Baron Davis has not played up to his ability since signing his contract. The Clippers have a solid young core with players like Griffin, Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe and Chris Kaman. If they get off to a bad start look for Davis or Kaman to get traded to bring in some more young players. Eric Gordon needs the ball ladies and gentleman he’s very close to being an all-star player. Gordon has shown he can shoot and attack the basket, now it’s time he becomes the leader of the Clippers. Looking at the Clippers there’s a lot to be excited about, but whether all the players show up is the question now.
Baron Davis will be starting at point guard and the Clippers are hoping he is ready to play. Davis has to show the world his all-star talent this season, instead of coasting through games. Davis can shoot, pass, defend, rebound, and can attack smaller players in the low post. Fresh off playing with team USA Eric Gordon will be starting at the shoot guard spot. Gordon is more of a spot up shooter on the Clippers, but has shown he can attack the basket. If Davis starts slow this season the Clippers need to work the offense through Gordon. Behind Davis and Gordo is Randy Foye. Foye can score in certain situations, but he’s not going to much else. Rookie Eric Bledsoe will probably get limited minutes unless Davis goes down with an injury. Bledsoe has a lot of upside, but needs to prove that he’s an NBA point guard.
Chris Kaman is coming off an all-star season last year and is looking to improve upon that. Kaman can easily get 18 and 10 a night, but with Blake Griffin in the mix he might lose touches. Griffin will be a high energy player who goes for blocks and tries to tear down the rim every trip down the court. Rasual Butler can knock down three pointers, which means he’ll probably start leaving Aminu Al-Farouq coming off the bench. Al-Farouq is good at everything, but great at nothing. Aminu won’t need the ball to score, therefore he’ll get more playing time. DeAndre Jordan has shown flashes, but his minutes will be limited this season. Ryan Gomes will get some minutes in the rotation, however he is only serviceable.
- 2010-11 Predictions:
- Center: Chris Kaman
- Power Forward: Blake Griffin
- Small Forward: Rasual Butler
- Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon
- Point Guard: Baron Davis
- Sixth Man: Aminu Al-Farouq
Bench: Eric Bledsoe, Marqus Blakely, Jarron Collins, Brian Cook, Stephen Dennis, Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, DeAndre Jordan, Jon Scheyer, Craig Smith, and Jake Voskuhl.
- All Star Player: Eric Gordon
- Best Veteran: Chris Kaman
- Best Asset: Eric Gordon
- Best New Addition: Blake Griffin
- Key Player: Baron Davis
- Western Conference: 10 Place
- Pacific Division: 3rd Place
If Baron Davis and Blake Griffin can find a little bit of chemistry together, the Clippers could slide into the 7th or 8th seed out West. The question is can Kaman and Griffin play together in the low post? I think Kama will be traded before the deadline and that will free Griffin and Davis to play pick and roll. I would like to see Gordon become a bigger part of the offense, he’s got a lot of confident coming off his stint with team USA this summer.
