By: Dustin Chapman

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• Selected Eric Gordon 7th overall.

• Selected DeAndre Jordan 35th overall.

• Traded a 2009 second round draft pick to Portland for the rights to Mike Taylor (55th overall).

The Clippers were put in a terrific situation at #7, where they had the option of choosing between Eric Gordon and Jerryd Bayless. The bottom line is that heading into this draft, the Clippers needed to get a high-potential guard. They got just that in Eric Gordon, who is a dynamite perimeter scorer with a strong body and long arms. He’s got ridiculous shooting range, a lightning quick release, and a second gear off the dribble when he wants to explode to the bucket. He’s not going to turn himself into a point guard, but he is a big time scorer with star potential despite his size. Could LA regret passing on Bayless down the line? Possibly, time will tell. But he isn’t quite a prototypical point guard, himself.

Coming into the draft, it seemed as though everybody was low on DeAndre Jordan, and rightfully so. Let’s be honest – he’s a great athlete, but he’s got a long way to go before he can be considered a good basketball player. Teams were not willing to take the risk on him in the first round, which is understandable. However, the Clippers being able to snatch him up in the early second round (35th overall) was fantastic. At that point, he is no longer a risk. At 35th overall, that is a low-risk, high-reward scenario; that’s all you could ask for with a prospect like Jordan.

Grade: B+

Just days after reports suggested that Clippers guard Shaun Livingston had been making steady progress, Marc Spears of the Boston Globe writes that the Clippers are unlikely to send the injury-plagued guard the qualifying offer this summer.

It’s not always best to take need over talent in the NBA draft, but with long-term concerns over injured guard Shaun Livingston, it would be a shock if the Clippers didn’t take a guard with the seventh pick. Livingston destroyed his left knee after landing awkwardly following a missed layup against Charlotte in February 2007, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, and the lateral meniscus. The fourth overall pick in 2004 missed last season and it’s uncertain when he will play again. An NBA source said the Clippers aren’t expected to make Livingston a qualifying offer (the lowest starts at $5.8 million), making him an unrestricted free agent July 1. But with major knee concerns, it’s uncertain the Clippers, or any team, will be rushing to sign him. According to the source, Livingston can’t work out back-to-back days and needs about 90 minutes of therapy before doing noncontact basketball drills. There is speculation he might not be able to play at the NBA level again. What made Livingston special: he is a point guard with Magic Johnson-like height, at 6 feet 7 inches. But if he returns without his spectacular quickness, he could move to the small forward position.

Let’s also note that the Clippers declining Livingston’s option does not necessarily mean that he is done in Los Angeles. It could merely mean that Elgin Baylor and the gang are reluctant to shell out over $5 million to a player who has as much of a chance of becoming a failure than becoming a recovery success story… if not more of a chance.

Anybody with half of a heart wishes Livingston luck. Let’s hope the multi-talented 6′7′’ guard can indeed develop a heart-warming story to get his career back on the right track.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

Art Thompson III reports:

Guard Shaun Livingston has yet to play in any sort of pickup basketball game but Livingston said that day is coming, soon.

“I’m feeling real good,” he said. “We’re getting real close to the time. Hopefully by June, I’ll be playing. That’s the plan, right now.”

Of course, the Clippers’ basketball staff will want to see Livingston in action by next month because a major decision involving him is impending. The Clippers must decide to tender Livingston a one-year contract offer of at least $5.8 million by June 30, otherwise he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Livingston, of course, missed the entire 2007-2008 season, while recovering from a catastrophic injury to his left knee, suffered Feb. 26, 2007. Livingston will conduct his third annual youth basketball camp in his hometown of Peoria, Ill., Aug. 4-9.

The picture above is a little rough to look at, but that doesn’t even come close to comparing with the gruesome image of the injury captured on video. If you have yet to view it, you can take a look here (caution: be prepared for a glorified nails against the chalkboard type of effect).

Let’s hope Livingston can overcome this agonizing misfortune, and continue to pursue his dreams as a successful pro. He’s got a boat load of talent; it’d be a real shame to see that all thrown away due to an uncontrollable situation like this.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

On the NBA’s 2008 NBA Draft Lottery night, the Los Angeles Clippers came away with the seventh overall pick in this year’s deep draft, filled with a cast of extremely talented young ballplayers.

Clippers President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor provided Clippers.com with some brief sentiments:

Do you have a list of players you want to look at?
“Absolutely. We always have a list of players that we like and want to bring in.”

How much does roster uncertainty affect the draft process?
“It’s not going to affect who we draft.”

What are the specific needs right now?
“We just have to look at our point guard situation. Last year we had a lot of injuries. We just have to look at that position very closely. We’ll get it done.”

Could you consider a trade?
“If it would be beneficial to our team, absolutely.”

Head coach Mike Dunleavy, who represented the Clippers at the lottery, offered his insights as well.

Can you tell me about your experience, representing your team?
“Obviously, I’m a little disappointed. We were hoping to move up and we actually moved back one slot, but we should still be able to get a pretty good player.”

Your thoughts on the outcome of the lottery overall?
“It worked out pretty well for the Chicago Bulls, getting the number one pick. Miami got number two and Minnesota moved up one spot, so I’m sure all three of those teams are pretty happy.”

At this time are you going after a specific player or a specific position?
“We’re picking seventh. The idea is to go with who is the best player available at that time, but you also look at the draft in terms of what your needs are. Overall, best player is going to override need, but if you have a situation where it’s close, you go with your need. Until we get players in and start working them out, there may be specific needs that we’re targeting, but until we get to that point in the draft and evaluate the players in the draft we won’t be able to make that decision.”

Can you speak specifically on the depth of the point guard class this year?“Overall there are a lot of guys in the draft that play point guard, but not necessarily on a full-time basis. They may be combo guards that have the ability to play one and two. Therefore you would evaluate based on that and depending on your need for a pure point guard or a combo guard, or if you say you’re going to go for the best player available, you turn it into an asset for a need you might have.”

Do you have a list of players you want to look at?

“We’re at seven. We have a draft order probably of the top 15 players that will be in that range. There’s a new format in the NBA this year where teams are allowed to bring in six players for a workout as opposed to four players last year. With that format of looking at six players at a time, you can play three-on-three, and it lends the opportunity to evaluate the players in a different way, a better way, I think. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

“We’re allowed to start bringing in players as of June 1st. The trick to it all is getting the guys in that you want to get in and see them play against guys you want to see them play against. It’s an interesting dynamic to say the least. For us, bottom line is we have to get through all of that to get players in that we think can help us and help us evaluate our situation the best.”

“We can’t say certain names because there are certain guys in the draft that have the ability to go back to college and have not totally committed. As we bring guys in, it will be apparent what our objective is.”

What are the specific needs right now?
“You have to evaluate all scenarios that are available to you. One is via trade, one is via free agency and the draft. When it comes time to pick, you’re going to make that decision based on those evaluations. For us, we have a lot of moving parts right now. We have guys that are free agents, we have guys that have been injured and there’s a lot more information that we need to have.”

What went through your head when you knew the Bulls had a top three pick?
“Obviously I was disappointed. You’re hoping that when Adam Silver says, ‘And with the ninth pick…’ you’ll see Chicago come up. When they don’t and you see the Charlotte Bobcats come up instead, you think, ‘Damn.’ The more teams you get through the better the opportunity is available for you to move up. Chicago’s probability was one and a half percent, so it was a big move and a very positive thing for them.”

The Clippers own the rights to two picks in this year’s NBA Draft, one in the first round (7th overall) and one in the second round (35th overall). The draft will take place on June 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

For the past couple of season’s, the Clippers had been knocking at the door of having success. Especially after the year two season’s ago, when they made the second round of the playoffs and took the Suns to 6 games. It was thought that with Elton Brand as the centerpiece, this was a team that could easily make the conference, or NBA finals in just a couple of years. Unfortunately that never quite came to pass, and now everyone is left wondering why. They didn’t even make the playoffs this year, and was one of the worst teams in the NBA. Now this next upcoming season, after missing the playoffs and being terrible, is it possible they could make the playoffs? I think it is, even in a loaded Western Conference, and I’m ready to explain why if you keep with me.

First off, without Elton Brand, a few of the players turned out to get much better. Most notable in the improvement was Chris Kaman, the power house for the Clippers in Brand’s absence. His scoring got better, his rebounding got better, and his defense was much improved. He became the type of center that can help to be part of a solid team, and showed he is ready to step up as a big time player.

Along with him, came super rookie Al Thornton who showed a scoring touch reminescent of a poor man’s Carmelo Anthony. He had the ability to hit the mid-range shot, work on the post up, and all around just put the ball in the basket. A nice small forward, with the athleticism to go boot. All together, he was a great addition, and a pleasant surprise.

Finally, next season they will have the addition of Elton Brand. He is the defensive leader, and the scoring leader of this team. His ablity to draw double team’s and pass, as well as ability to score from the mid-range and on the post up make Elton Brand SO important. With him this Clippers team is a lowly, bottom feeder. With him, this is a Clippers team that can challenge for playoff spots, and chance’s to make it far in the playoffs. It was great when he was able to get back to the team this season. With him, this is already a team that can challenge for a playoff spot.

However, in the offseason they hope to get better than just challenging for a playoff spot, and I believe they can get better than that. With them having four spots set, they have the ability to really upgrade. Corey Maggette is a free agent, and trading him for quality depth behind Al Thornton is definately able to be done. It is needed for them to be good, and they don’t need him, so solidfying the bench they should do. Along with that, the draft will be important. I see them getting a solid draft pick in the 2 to 6 range. There they should be able to get the point guard they need, whether it be Rose or Mayo, and that will keep them in a great position to stay competitive and make the second round of the playoffs. Having a starting five of Rose/Mobley/Thornton/Brand/Kaman with a solid bench consisting of Knight and guys like Ross/whoever they get in the offseason will only make them better.

 Should they upgrade their bench, this is a second round team waiting to happen. They have the defense, they have the scoring balance and they have the skill level to make. With a decent summer’s draft picks and free agent signing’s, this is a team that I expect to make it to the next round of the final’s. For the upcoming season hopes, this should be the hopes for it.

With Brand down, who should we be looking at to start?  here are the options.

TIm Thomas?

Al Thornton?

Paul Davis?

Obviously idealy Tim Thomas and Thornton should be playing the SF position.  But with Brand’s injury, and the signing of Ruben Patterson, you gotta think it’s one of them that starts.  My guess is Tim Thomas starts the season as the starter and Thornton takes the job from him after a couple of weeks.

One thing is for sure…this is a horrible situation to be in.

As a Ben Wallace less Chicago Bulls squad came to the Staples Center
Wednesday night, the Clippers were ready for them. Led by Brand’s 26 points on 9-17 shooting along with his 9 rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals and 5 block’s, they were able to close out a last second surge by the Bulls to defeat them at a final tally of 110-98. All the Clipper players seemed to be playing well during the 4th quarter, something which hasn’t happened much, but seems to be back. This recent surge has thrusted the Clippers to be tied with the Denver Nuggets for the 7th seed in the Western Conference, and a 7 game east-coast road trip coming up, the Clippers season could either be made, or broken. Coincedintly, this recent surge has also happened with the return of Sam Cassell.

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The Los Angeles Clippers have now dropped down to last place in the Pacific division after a 5 game losing streak, with head-scratching losses to the Toronto Raptors and Portland TrailBlazers.

Yet through it all the Clippers passes on AI claiming they had what it took to win without him.  Putting AI and Brand together could have been something special.  We have seen what Shaq an Wade, Shaq and Kobe could do.  It was more than possible it could have been the same kind of thing with the Clippers with Brand and AI.  There is also no doubt Iverson could have cleared a ton of room for Brand to work with inside.

But they passed on him, so it’s pointless to speak of now.

The Schedule doesn’t get any easier in the next couple days either as the Clippers take on the Mavericks, Rockets and Jazz.  One thing is for sure, this team needs to stop the bleeding..fast.