
KJ new Assistant of the Clippers.

Durantula_MVP wrote:Wright![]()
KJ new GM of the Clippers.
Mike Dunleavy, Sr. to return to Clippers' front office?
There has been speculations that newly appointed Assistant General Manager, KidJustin is taking on the task of dealing with front office personnel before actual NBA players and prospects.
A source close to the Los Angeles Clippers who wished to remain anonymous has admitted that the organization might be willing to re-hire Mike Dunleavy, Sr. and pay him the remainder of his contract over the course of the new contract rather than the lump sum Dunleavy was asking for in the arbitration he filed back in June.
It is unknown what role he will play, but during the press release of the coaching staff, there has been no announcements of any scouting positions being filled.
Despite poor Summer League, Sofoklis Schortsanitis to sign with Clippers?
Sofoklis Schortsanitis, also known as Big Sofo or Greek Shaq, is rumored to be on a return flight back to the United States. Possibly for a contract with the Clippers, who own his draft rights after selecting him in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft.
During this past offseason his contract with Olympiacos expired and he elected to participate in the NBA Summer League with the Clippers, with an eye towards joining the team. However, because the NBA Summer League is very unstructured and guard-centric, Sofo did not have a good showing and failed to impress the then newly appointed Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. Thus no contract was offered. The Clippers were also busying with contract situations of their own; attempting to land the biggest free agent LeBron James or another high caliber talent and then focused attentions to see if a returned from injury Tracy McGrady was capable of being a top tier NBA talent once again, that it is speculated that they were not able to offer a contract before Sofo left to fly back to Europe to train with the Greek national team.
Greek media also speculated a number of European teams interested in the big man, but he is currently still a free agent.
George7 wrote:Not only a Greek player but one who was playing on my favourite team! Nice move!
News from training camp
Today was the last day of training camp at the Clippers training facility in Playa Vista and while the veterans looked like they have brushed off any offseason rust during the week, some of the rookies had some struggles the coaching staff hoped they would get through before the season opener against the Portland Trailblazers.
Coach Vinny Del Negro, brought in because of his success taking a very young Bulls team into the playoffs two season in a row, was caught many times yelling at the rookies for their mistakes. Coach Del Negro was not available for comments after training camp concluded.
GM Niel Olshey had this to say about the new coach:No, I'm not worried at all about how he is acting towards the rookies. I have complete trust in him to motivate this young team properly and get us where we want to be. Back in the playoffs.
Despite the lack of skills that were on display by the Clipper rookies, 2nd Round Draft Pick Willie Warren and Undrafted Marqus Blakely did just enough to survive not being cut during this tough week.
Warren was once projected to be a lottery pick, but after deciding to stay another year at Oklahoma State, he found his stock plummet greatly. The main reason, he shined as then teammate Blake Griffin's side kick and then floundered when Griffin enter the NBA Draft in 2009 and he was left to be the main guy at Oklahoma State.
Warren:Of course it's a relief to know that my job here with the Clippers is still safe! But this game is a business and I understand that. I just have to keep practicing and developing my all-around game. Blake knows the kind of player I can be, I just have to continue to show the coaching staff. At least I got my shooting stroke going for me, I know the team really needs everyone to step up their perimeter game.
Assistant Reggie Miller has been putting each and every player into rigorous shooting drills and had this to say about the rookie shooter Willie Warren:Willie? A shooter? You people must have been watching someone else. The kid has a knack for throwing the ball toward the basket and having it going, I'll give him that. But a shooter? Please.
He continued:Maybe he will be a shooter, if I can get through to him and his form. Right now his release is so low, he's practically shooting the ball from his chest. Dead-eye or not, unless your Shawn Marion, expect your shot to get blocked. A LOT.
Blakely on the other hand, had little to say about himself and that he was just happy to be part of the organization and the new changes they are going through to turn this franchise around.
Blakely, listed at 6' 5" played PF (believe it or not) in college. It is unlikely that will be his position in the league. But based on his skills (can't shoot, can't dribble, but an athletic freak who can score near the rim) it seems like the only possible solution. If he can't turn in around, don't expect him to stick around with this team, let alone the league.
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Overall evaluation of the other Clippers rookies:
Blake Griffin - Technically a rookie, technically not, but was the only one that showed that he deserved to be in this league. All signs point to him starting and making his debut against the Trailblazers. Against former number 1 pick that missed their first season, Greg Oden, none the less. Assistant Danny Manning said he is very exited to work with Griffin this season and already has a plan on how to further develop his offensive game.
Al-Farouq Aminu - While he did show strides of improving his defense, especially in steals. He failed to show much else. His shot is still very weak for a SF. He also still has a very shy personality, which does not bode well for him as he regularly becomes timid on the court. And that is against teammates, imagine what will happen when he goes up against Brandon Roy. Ryan Gomes is expected to start over Aminu, but the Clippers are crossing their fingers this guy can develop and be their starting SF in the future.
Eric Bledsoe - Erratic, Erratic, Erratic....but very spectacular. After playing a season off his natural position because he chose to play along side John Wall in Kentucky, he is showing signs of being a capable backup point guard in this league. His sometimes unnecessary passes and shot selection are made up by his sheer intensity when playing the game. He still has a lot of refining to do, so still expect Randy Foye to take the majority of the minutes.
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In other news, the Clippers have announced that Mike Dunleavy, Sr. has been hired as a scout for the team and has already been given an assignment to scout some of the upcoming draft prospects in the southwestern region of the US. Alfonso Duran was also hired as a scout for the team and will primarily head the scouting for prospects overseas, especially in Europe. Which will be very vital as the projected number 1 overall pick, Lance Weber, is currently playing in Europe.
We caught up with Assist. GM KidJustin, who had this to say:We thought enough was enough with the whole Dunleavy situation. The organization just got through a lawsuit between former GM Elgin Baylor and our owner Mr. Sterling; we did not need any more side show attractions that will hurt our young team from winning. As I worked here, I always appreciated Dunleavey's mind and the way he can properly evaluate talent as well as get the gameplan ready for the next team the Clippers are going to face. I hope that this will finally put things to rest.
Recap of Opening Night
In the first match-up between the 2 super trios of the league. It appears that the Heat have got the Celtics number in this one, blowing them out by 30 points. With the King scoring 40 points, also this could have been worse as Wade had a quite 13 point night. Bosh also had 25 points in 25 minutes despite being in foul trouble.
The Portland Trailblazers just torched the hottest offensive team in the league, 120-97. It looks like Amar'e Stoudemire is really going to be missed in Arizona. If the Trailblazers are for real, expect them to steam roll against their next opponent if they aren't ready.
Brandon Roy:The travel to Staples Center against the Clippers shouldn't be too bad, they better be ready because we are coming!
Speaking of Stoudemire, look what he did in his debut. It looks like the Knicks have figured things out...on defense? The Raptors were held to only 69 points in the game. Then again, this is the team that lost both Hedo and Bosh in the same offseason.
The Wizards and the Magic in the first nail biter of the season. And it was the return of Gilbert Arenas (33 points 10 assits) that overshadowed the rookie debut of John Wall (7 points 1 assist). Is Arenas back? Is Wall a bust?
Recently acquired, Quentin Richardson suffered an injury (sprained foot) that will cause him to miss up to 3 weeks.
BREAKING NEWS! Reports have shown that Aaron Mintz has released a statement stating that his client, Nick Young is very displeased with the Wizards organization. That he demands to be traded away from a team that is not set on winning as a team and not set on utilizing his talents to take this franchise to the next level. Mintz also states that his client would like to return to the west coast to play.
This one is for George7,![]()
Kevin Durant's 25 points was shadowed only by Derrick Rose's 25 points himself. Off the bench, shooters Daequan Cook (OKC) and Kyle Korver (CHI) came through and each scored double digits. Cook only made 1 3-pointer while Korver had 0, oddly enough. Rumor has it that the Bulls might be considering signing undrafted shooter Dionte Christmas, how this will effect Korver's role on the team is unknown. The story of the night was Boozer's 22 points which was the real difference maker.
The Lakers received their rings and, despite barely playing their bench, also defeated the Houston Rockets 105-91 behind Kobe Bryants 33 Points.
Martti. wrote:Yeah, don't do the mistake of recapping all 1230 games. Just ask Thierry.
Matcups | ||
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See, what did I tell you...blocked.
![]() Baron Davis splits 3 defenders in route to an open layup. | ![]() Eric Gordon with a wide open 3 as Roy is out of position. |
This was a very tough game, we showed we had the heart and the talent to pull it out in the end. But we still have a lot of work together. As individuals and as a team. It feels good to get the debut out of the way. I think I did pretty good, what do you think? Any disappointment?
What was your first shot of the NBA like again? haha...
Ha..ha..shush...
Durantula_MVP wrote:Awesome recap![]()
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Like the Griffin and Jordan dunk. How you create these pictures?
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