The Daily Clipper – The Mourn-ing After Edition

by Lawler's Law on Feb 8, 2012 11:08 AM PST in News

Sam Greenwood - Getty Images

3 months ago: ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 06: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Glen Davis #11 and Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic during the game at Amway Center on February 6, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Although I didn't watch the injury live, I felt so disappointed when Billups went down. My mouth went dry, a lump in my throat...I felt a 1,000+ word post from John Raffo debunking "it's the clippers" or "clippers curse" coming on and a loss to the Magic. I went about my business of putting the little ones in their bath right after Jameer and JJ's back to back 3s in OT. After a few minutes of sulking in the "curse" thoughts, while adding bubble soap to the tub, my oldest daughter comes in smiling saying "the Clippers are winning!" I hesitate, thinking she's pranking me! I say "Really!?" "uh-huh" and I know she is not joking! I run out the bathroom to see that they are up by 3 with someone (don't remember who) at the line!...That's when I knew this team will be alright without Chauncey!

Another late add to the already late DC...Good stuff from the Clippers Podcast over at espn LA.

Clippers Podcast: 2/7 - ESPN Los Angeles
Kevin Arnovitz and Jordan Heimer are joined by Eric Neel of ESPNLA to discuss the impact of Chauncey Billups' injury, the addition of Kenyon Martin and the organization's changing culture fueled by Chris Paul.

CLIPPERS: BLAKE GRIFFIN LEADS LIST OF PLAYERS FOR 2012 BBVA RISING STARS CHALLENGE ROSTER POOL
Hat tip to citizen ClipperTheorist...

For Caron Butler, playing for the Clippers is no hard time - Page 2 - latimes.com
From Orlando, Fla. -- Day 1 of getting to better know the Clippers and I'm telling Caron Butler he better not stink against the Magic because I will be writing about him.

T.J. Simers: Clippers' Vinny Del Negro takes this loss personally - latimes.com
Coach Vinny Del Negro drops his guard, and the cliches, when discussing how much Chauncey Billups means to the Clippers, and how deeply the veteran guard's season-ending injury has affected the team.

Torn Achilles' tendon sidelines Chauncey Billups for the season - latimes.com
The five-time All-Star wants to return to the Clippers next season, but it will depend on his recovery.

NBA MVP Power Rankings: Chris Paul, Andre Iguodala Ascend Without Scoring In Droves - SBNation.com
Chris Paul and Andre Iguodala don't score 30 too often, but they add incredible value in their roles. As such, you'll find them on this week's edition of the SBNation.com NBA MVP Power Rankings.

How losing Billups affects the Clippers - Los Angeles Clippers Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images When Chauncey Billups fell to the floor with a left Achilles injury late in the Clippers' 107-102 win over the

NBA -- Jeremy Lin and other names in news - ESPN
3. Fact or Fiction: The Clippers cannot contend without Chauncey Billups. Arnovitz: Fiction,

It's no joke if Jamison is hurt: Mary Schmitt Boyer's post-game blog | cleveland.com
Antawn Jamison is a lightning rod for Cavaliers fans, who think the team should trade him for younger players or draft choices. But what he brings to the Cavs _ in addition to his uncanny ability to score _ is leadership and professionalism.

Timberwolves back in the black - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN
That unprotected pick is looking better and better!

Chauncey Billups vows to return from injury - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Chauncey Billups won't play again this season because of a torn Achilles, but says his career isn't over. - National Basketball Association news

Loss of Chauncey Billups means Clippers teammates have to step up - latimes.com
Chris Paul must provide more of the steadying influence Billups brought. Several players will need to raise their on-court production.

Clippers win but also suffer a big loss: Chauncey Billups - latimes.com
Chris Paul leads L.A. past the Magic in an overtime thriller at Orlando, 107-102, but starting guard Chauncey Billups suffers an Achilles' tendon injury and it's feared he could be lost for season.

0 recs | 19 comments

Comments

I'm just wondering how much our free throw attempts are going to decline

billups got calls, plain and simple. He scored 4-5 points a game just on his credentials alone we are gonna miss that. I am interested to see if we push the tempo more with guys like foye, mo, and bledsoe getting more minutes. Need an athletic 2/3 to stop the bigger scorers for the playoffs gomes needs to go or leslie has gotta step up.

flightofthegriffin - February 8, 2012 reply

Good thought

with Billups being hurt, we could also see our free throw percentage taking a hit- not that it was ever good to begin with.

JackduhSun - February 8, 2012 reply

True - maybe he can concentrate on BG's FTs now

Jax - February 8, 2012 reply

I think it's a mental thing

like Shaq, Shaq could hit free throws during practice, but when it came down to game time, that was where he had problems.

Same with Griffin, seems like Griffin has a decent stroke- or atleast better looking than Shaqs. Why he’s not hitting it is a different story, and to me, I think it’s a mental thing.

Maybe he should join one of those help-clubs and everything he shoots free throws, he should think in his head “fuzzywuzzybunnies with daisy berries.” :P

JackduhSun - February 8, 2012 reply

his 3 dribbles seemed to have helped

KidJustin - February 8, 2012 reply

Saw it live...

And the only thing i said to myself was @#$%$!!! we are going to lose Chauncey. My heart sank…. it was a great win but the entire time i was thinking about Chauncey.

CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CHAUNCEY!!!

My dukie twinkles - February 8, 2012 reply

Rising Stars Challenge Roster

Due to the fan posts not being very visible right now, I thought I would post this link to the roster of the Rising Stars Challenge (the new Rookie Sophomore all-star game) here:

ClipperTheorist - February 8, 2012 reply

Please disregard this

Fan posts aren’t visible, but fan shots are (which is where I should have put this).

ClipperTheorist - February 8, 2012 reply

thanks CT...

i just saw it on my twitter timeline…i’ll add it to this DC…

Lawler's Law - February 8, 2012 reply

Quick Question

Should I trade Joakim Noah, Tim Duncan, and Marc Gasol for Blake Griffin, Hawes, and barandon bass for my fantasy team

chargerclipperfan - February 8, 2012 reply

Hmmm

No. Marc Gasol is awesome this year. So is Hawes, but Hawes is shooting 15% better from the field for some reason. There’s no way he keeps that up. Stick with the solid guys in Noah, Duncan, and Gasol. Those guys will always be starters.

Erik O - February 8, 2012 reply

No

FT% would take a hit on fantasy. And as Erik O said, 3 of your guys are starters and 2 of his guys are uncertain.

Not to mention Duncan, Noah, and Gasol are giving solid numbers. They’re not spectacular and aren’t 2x points a game like Griffin, but I’d take consistancy.

JackduhSun - February 8, 2012 reply

If you are playing head to head I say yes. But this is because I hate having Duncan on my team.

Popovich always sits his starters late in the season (during fantasy playoff times). I have lost one too many fantasy leagues because of Duncan and Tony Parker. Hawes just came back from an injury, but prior to that he’s been playing out of his mind. It seems like Blake may have learned how to shoot FTs (which make his value skyrocket). Brandon Bass I don’t know too much about. Joakim Noah is having a bad year. Marc Gasol is solid, but I think big picture you’d be better of after the trade.

shay - February 8, 2012 reply