Clips Nation

sounds like someone with ulterior motives...

DeAndre is very hard to dislike….well I guess unless perhaps he dunked on your favorite player and shouted afterwards

Takebb909 - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

Who's likable on the Lakers?

Thretch - January 17, 2012 reply

+1

LL Cool L

Ladies Love Cool Luke

Lawler's Law - January 17, 2012 reply

Currently?

I could think of a lot of former Lakers I really liked. All kidding aside, I do like Metta World Peace for his crazy antics and philanthropy.

And I don't hate any of the Lakers

I dislike Kobe’s off the court personality, but I do admire his drive and determination. The only NBA player I extremely dislike is Andre Miller for obvious reasons.

I hate Kobe...

if for no other reason than his dirty elbows.

uclatroy - January 17, 2012 reply

+1

haha Mike Brown?

bewilder - January 17, 2012 reply

Fisher, hate to say it,

Gasol is okay. Steve Blake, maybe. Jason Kapono. These guys really don’t give me any real reason to dislike them.

Fisher?

Come on, he’s one of the most dirtiest players in the league. Steve Blake is a punk too.

Lol, well

I did say they don’t give me any reasons to dislike them. Fisher shows good poise and maturity. He may not be the cleanest player in the league, but he’s no Bruce Bowen either. Reason I don’t hate Fisher is because he’s a calm cat. When Fisher was being asked about the Clippers and Chris Paul and being the JV team, his response was likeable enough. It was somewhere in between the lines of “I’m not the person to answer this type of question because I don’t know” and “Even though the Clippers have had unknown players before Chris Paul, they always gave us a run for the money.” Fisher shows some respect for one of the most undeserving team.

As for Steve Blake, yeah I hear he is a punk and might have anger issues. Again this is what I heard, not because I know the guy personally or because I read it from a legit source. But Steve Blake hasn’t done anything wrong in the NBA, hasn’t really made much, if any, negative headlines, and has played with us too.

Fisher always says the right things

and off the court he is pretty likable, but on the court he is almost as dirty as Bowen.

bestclipfan - January 17, 2012 reply

Yeah I don't disagree he's not dirty

just not Bruce Bowen dirty. :)

But again, no real track record for me to hate on Fisher.

I have a soft spot for Steve Blake...

if only for being Not Baron Davis during that long, Griffinless year.

I like MWP

shay - January 17, 2012 reply

idk about the lakers, but most likeable person on the web?

LJ Hann… yeahhhh I went there

LJ Hann - January 17, 2012 reply

It is incredible the amount of vitriol coming from Laker fans since the Clippers acquired

Chris Paul and drafted Blake…

Laker fan is getting scared

Love it

Jax - January 17, 2012 reply

+1

for real

bewilder - January 17, 2012 reply

probably didn't know how to spell

Griffin. 90% of the comments is see bashing Blake spell his name Griffen. I swear it’s like one guy in his attic with way too much time and internet on his hands.

osamu - January 17, 2012 reply

About the Griffin shove

“When the whistle blows, you’re supposed to stop playing, but I didn’t think there was anything malicious there. I thought there were some other things in the game that have to be looked at as well.” Funny that VDN says this. I know that in the big tussle that happened, I could have sworn that I saw one of the Lakers, possibly McRoberts, make a fist and try to slug someone while on the ground. Maybe that’s what Del Negro is talking about, or maybe it was just the overall chippiness of the game.

Griffin needs to put his temper in check and keep it cool. I’ve been displeased with some of his behavior, like whining after the call and stuff. He needs to carry himself both on an off the court.

Easy there. Don't badmouth McRoberts. Didn't you hear that according to

some Laker fans he might join the Clippers after Mo Williams gets traded to the Lakers? (couldn’t repeat that with a straight face).

Funny, I like the fact that he didn't let a rook

slam after the whistle in our house. He didn’t do anything to hurt the guy.. He just gave him a little reminder. KG would have thrown the kid across the floor.

Jax - January 17, 2012 reply

Yes

But Griffin’s actions are justifiable. He is constantly hammered. In Griffin’s mentality, I’m sure he’s getting many no calls while taking many cheap shots.

One thing that does get annoying is how dramatic he makes every time he gets foul look.

True

I meant the overdramatization more than anything. I rarely see a player be able to turn over a call after whining about it, so there’s no need to do it. If anything, you run the risk of getting a tech.

Yeah

Getting a tech is a no bueno. Staring the refs down after you’ve already received a tech is a no bueno. Still arguing with the refs after getting a tech and getting a foul is a no bueno. Homecourt refs might be a bit more understanding (call me a homer in this area), but the old white guy ref in the Nets game was talking to Griffin and going “I know.. I know..” after one of those fouls. Can’t imagine another ref being as understanding. Might even give Griffin a tech himself.

DJ > D12

I hope we don’t trade for Dwight. We don’t need him. DJ is leading the league in blocks and has a lot of more room to grow. Nothing against Dwight, I think he’s a great player, but our scoring options are CP3 and Blake. Too many people demanding the ball will not be good for any team.

Homerism at its finest...

DariusN - January 17, 2012 reply

I agree...a little

I have the same concerns but at the same time Miami (trio) made it to the finals.

(wishful thinking)

Tawcoma26 - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

And they got beat.

All I’m saying, our team is built around our two main stars. We’re doing well so far, why should we bring another star player who will demand the ball? Blake and CP3 are great 1st and 2nd scoring options. Now, Butler and Billups can share the 3rd option. DJ knows his role and his becoming a great defender, doesn’t demand the ball.

They got beat by a team who peaked at the right time

otherwise, MIA is easily still the best team and the team to beat.

I agree...

Heat are a great team. All I’m saying I don’t think we need Dwight. DJ has lots of room for growth. He’s 23 years old and I remember Dwight at 23 had similar playing style to DJ. Now at 26 (turning 27 this year), Dwight might have reached his peak and DJ has the potential to be a similar player to Dwight at 27. All he needs is to have good veterans around him and he can be a force down the road. But as of now, DJ is doing what he needs to do and he’s doing it well and the Clippers are winning.

Well..

I disagree and agree. We’ve always said “Man.. DJ has the potential to be like Dwight” but I think it’s important to remember he COULD be like Dwight, but realistically he won’t be anywhere near Dwight Howard’s level. Deandre has WAY too much catching up to do, such as improving his post game, improving his mentality to rebound and not always go for the weaker side defense, improve his court vision, and bulk up ALOT more. Howard can muscle his way into the paint, Deandre can only catch and lob.

Needs more shoulders

Howard must have the biggest shoulders I’ve ever seen on a person. DJ has a long way to go.

Chris McD - January 18, 2012 reply

The good news for me is

right now it’s just people speculating and the team has not made an official move into attempting to acquire Howard. As of now, all this trade speculation might not be good for the team chemistry. If the Clippers are smart and know they can’t/wont make a good move, they don’t. Otherwise, you run the risk of letting DJ know that he is still going to stay a Clippers and later find out he is in the middle of all trade speculations. As much as I like winning, I don’t like shady franchises that do a 180 on their players.

apparently DJ can't be traded before 1 July without his permission

so a trade seems unlikely

Ah right..

I remember hearing about that too from the Don Perrin. I’m guessing the S&T has to be right at the moment if they do want to trade him then?

aren't S&T a lot less interesting in the new CBA?

I have no ida

I am completely ignorant with the whole new CBA. Up until yesterday, thanks to Lawler 4ever, I found out there actually was a Mid- level still.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7303114/everything-ever-want-know-new-nba-labor-deal

found something

Starting in Year 3 of the new CBA, sign-and-trades6 will be prohibited for any team that is more than $4 million over the luxury tax. For all the back and forth over this particular restriction, it is actually rare for a team over the tax to participate in a sign-and-trade. This was done only a handful of times in the previous CBA, and the only one to directly impact the championship was the Mavericks’ acquisition of Shawn Marion.

The more interesting change here is that new provisions allow for an S&T to have annual salary raises of 4.5 percent. This is lower than the max Bird Exception raises of 7.5 percent. The maximum contract length is also limited to four years, one fewer than the Bird Exception contract.

Starting year 3 of the CBA..

this is year one right? Like I said, I am ignorant in this so forgive me! Hahaha. But aside from that, are the Clips even 4 Mils over the cap? Are we even over the cap period?

the first paragraph isn't that interesting

the second one is. I would guess DH would prefer a trade to take his birth rights with him. I did read that DH would prefer a play off run instead of a trade to a team that won’t make the play offs (I’m looking a you Nets).

Did I really just see the phrase "DJ > D12"?

C’MON MAN! Dwight is the best center in the NBA and one of the best centers in history.

+1

As big a fan I am of DJ, I’m a Clippers fan first and foremost. You get the chance to get the 3 time Defensive Player of the Year by giving up a guy with potential. Who doesn’t pull the trigger? You have Dwight anchoring the middle with CP3 running point and Blake on top of that, you might as well hang the multiple banners now.

That said, this is all just rampant speculation. Don’t see how we get D12 without giving up Blake.

"Don’t see how we get D12 without giving up Blake."

Firstly, the Magic need to come to the hard realization that they aren’t going to get equal market value from anyone in return for Dwight. That means Griffin is off the table.

Secondly, Otis Smith needs to understand that getting a guy like Bynum and being the Heat’s bitch come playoff time won’t help the franchise more than picking up young players with potential. They NEED to tank for picks. (Furthermore, the Magic don’t like Bynum, so that hurts any potential Lakers offer.)

With that in mind, a DJ/EBled/MoWill/Foye/picks for Dwight/bad contract offer MIGHT be a good starting point in negotiations. DJ and Bledsoe have very high ceilings, and I firmly believe that the Magic will be a solid team in a couple years with those two as the cornerstones, if all goes according to plan. MoWill can be a good veteran mentor to Bledsoe. (Foye is just filler.)

like said before: DJ has to give his permission

so it is a fine line for the FO.

DJ can be The Guy in Orlando...

as opposed to being a complimentary piece in LA. So he could very well give his permission.

DJ can be the guy?

Where? In Downtown Disney? Cuz I doubt he ever will be the guy anywhere but fantasyland.

wilriv21 - January 17, 2012 reply

no he doesn't

the guy know his limitations. Orlando is going to suck a few years.

plus they might prefer to keep Howard and make on last run

plus Bynum makes a ton more sense then DJ. DJ is role player on a tricky contract. Bledsoe showed promise but way too early to say anything definitive.

Let’s be honest, we don’t beat Lakers with Bynum with this deal.

Or even the Nets'

Serviceable center + a boatload of picks trumps our best offer.

DJ isn't at least "serviceable"?

Of course if not >

but Bledsoe < boatload of picks

jersey picks suck if i recall correctly

i would take bledsoe over them.

XXDC2XX - January 17, 2012 reply

Best center today, yes

one of the best centers in history? Nah..

+1

all

Tawcoma26 - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

2013 West Allstar starting squad...

CP3, C.Billups, LeBron James, Blaketastic, D12.

our bench includes; DWade, Omarion, Kenyon Dooling, and other supporting cast.

Tawcoma26 - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

What?

2013 West All Star starting squad?

How is Lebron, Wade, and Dooling on the West all star team? And why is Omarion in there? Is there a icebox where your heart used to be?

Justin Bieber as back up point guard

LOL no really...

I mean how did he get Omarion? Did he mean SMarion? But that couldn’t be right because the S and the O is too far apart. Maybe Amare.. but he’s in the East as well..Keyon Dooling is a backup with Celtics…I don’t know.

hahaha

I really meant Omarion. I was thinking about adding Prince (Artist formerly known as Prince.)

Tawcoma26 - January 17, 2012 reply

Oh Baby Baby Baby

puh- leeze get Bieber, Olshey

wilriv21 - January 17, 2012 reply

I got this..

Icebox where my heart used to be.

Tawcoma26 - January 17, 2012 reply

Orlando would do a Griffin/Howard deal straight up

obviously the Clippers can’t make that deal (and let’s be honest it’s for non-basketball reasons because with D-12 and Paul they would the favorite to win the championship this year) and the Magic are not gonna take a DJ and parts deal especially since they can take the Bynum deal today.

So all this trade talk will amount to nothing.

Archon - January 17, 2012 reply

Well, there is one basketball reason why that trade can't occur...

The salaries don’t match.

I think that's the "non-basketball" reason he's referring to

Actually no

I forgot about salaries. I was referring to the fact the Clippers have built their entire marketing franchise around Blake Griffin. Also Blake is probably the most exciting player in the league to watch right now.

I love BG he probably the the best combination of skill/athleticism ever for a power forward but in terms of winning a championship D-12 would help the clippers more than BG

Archon - January 17, 2012 reply

Lol, sorry, I gave you too much credit

I would do that deal fro the Clips in a heartbeat.

wilriv21 - January 17, 2012 reply

Forget Howard..we need a big off the bench and a perimeter defender at the SG.

We just to fill out the bench. We are fine otherwise.

tenkaistar - January 17, 2012 reply

I think he might be a slight upgrade over Cookie as first big off the bench

Can you imagine – D12 for 6th man of the year! Just kidding.