A 2k7 Dynasty story. 1 game preseason, 29 games regular season. 12 minutes. This is my first
attempt at a dynasty story, so any and all suggestions are welcome.
The Los Angeles Clippers start another season of NBA basketball with hopes of making history.
The Clippers have a stable lineup of talent with the flexibility of playing multiple positions. A lack
of talent, depth and injuries have stalled their chances at making history in the past. Will this be
the year that "Clipper Nation" becomes more than a tag-line?
Elgin Baylor takes a risk by signing the 24/7 street tournament MVP, Patrick Willis to play a
rotating guard spot off the bench. They already have Sam Cassell and Shaun Livingston, so the
signing another point guard brings up the question of possible trade scenario's, not to mention
the future of the starting point guard position of the Clippers. Sam Cassell is closing in on the
last year(s) of his career, Shaun Livingston is young, and has alot more room to grow, but Willis
is almost 30 and has very limited experience with NBA players. With 4 point guards - Livingston,
Cassell, Willis, and Ewing - and only one shooting guard - Cuttino Mobley - it's hard to understand
what the front office is thinking.
We sat down with the Clipper's coach Mike Dunleavy to get a sense of what is going on.
Coach, with the recent signing of the street tourney's mvp, aren't you stacking the pg position?
You already have 3 point guards - Livingston, Cassell, and Daniel Ewing.
Well, we just thought he was a talent that we couldn't pass up, and him being a Clipper fan is
an added bonus.
How will the playing time be allocated?
Sam is still our starting pg, Shaun is his backup and Willis after that, but we will be having two
pg's on the floor when Cat is on the bench, and we will also give Corey Maggette some playing
time at the 2. Ewing will be on the inactive list for the time being.
Who is your go-to man this year?
We really don't have one. We're looking to perform as a unit with any individual performances
supporting that. We will be exploiting every players' talents on offense. If I had to choose one,
it would be a toss up between Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.
Speaking of Maggette, he will be starting this year instead of Quentin Ross?
Yes. He has improved on both sides of the floor and having him on the bench for 20-30 minutes
a game is counter-productive.
One final question, what is the goal for the Clips this year? Is it a playoff berth?
A division championship?
An NBA Championship?
We're not trying to define what we want to do as far as team goals. We are just going to play one
game at a time, one possession at a time. Our ultimate goal is to win.
Thank you for taking the time to talk, coach Dunleavy.
Your welcome.
ROSTER
C - Chris Kaman
PF - Elton Brand
SF - Corey Maggette
SG - Cuttino Mobley
PG - Sam Cassell
6 - Shaun Livingston
7 - Tim Thomas
8 - Patrick Willis
9 - Quentin Ross
10 - Zeljko Rebraca
11 - Yaroslav Korolev
12 - James Singleton
I - Daniel Ewing
PRESEASON
The Clips played a one game preseason against the Golden State Warriors. Willis was started
at point guard to get him some quick experience on and NBA court. He looked like a rookie picking up
two quick fouls within the games first 3 minutes. The Warriors went on a 14-2 run midway through
the first giving them a 21-10 lead, but some great defense and shooting by the Clippers cut the gap
to four with a 11-4 run to end the 1st quarter. Willis picked up another quick foul, in the 2nd quarter,
and Sam Cassell replaced him again, finishing the half with 13 points on 6/8 shooting. Meanwhile,
Baron Davis and Jason Richardson reigned down a storm on the Clippers with 33 points combined.
The Warriors were ahead by 6 at the half, 57-51.
Los Angeles increased the intensity by clamping down on defense and getting out on the fast
break in the 3rd quarter. Many turnover's resulted as the Clippers forced fast breaks, but their
strong defense continued to cause the Warriors to turn the ball over, which they did 7 times in
the quarter. Willis and Maggette combined for 18 of the 22 points in the 3rd, while Baron Davis and
Jason Richardson combined to shoot 4-18 from the field with 6 turnovers. The Warriors did a
complete 180 starting the 4th with a 15-6 run to go up 87-79 capped by a Baron Davis jam. The
Clippers muscled their way back to within 3 and tied it at 94 with a 3 pointer by rookie Patrick
Willis at the 2:30 mark. Two possessions later, the Clippers got a steal by Livingston that ignited
a fast break ending in an alley oop to Maggette that put them up 100-94. That turned out to be the
dagger as the Clippers ate the clock and the Warriors had to send them to the line.
FINAL SCORE
GAME PHOTOS
Click on a photo to view it in fullsize
HIGHLIGHTS
Click to view an animated gif
Livingston to Maggette on the Fast Break
P-Dub ties it at 94 with a 3 pointer
Baron Davis Drive and Smash
i hope to see this continue good sir 
