2013-2014
Finish: 43-39
Season Highlight
Another playoff showing for the LA Clippers, making it 2 straight. If they can get to the playoffs this upcoming
season, I think they call that a streak!
But seriously, the highlight of the season was when they attached
themselves to the trade for Gasol, finally ridding themselves of that albatross
of a contract attached to a Mr. Amare Stoudamire.
Season Lowlight
The painfully quick playoff exit. Losing
to the eventual Western Conference Champion Kings is a consolation, but they
were beat 4-1, so I’m sure that GM Andrew will look to light a fire in his
players this year!
Best Trade
The Detroit
Pistons send Pau Gasol to the LA Clippers. The Detroit Pistons send Rudy Gay, Chase
Budinger and Jimmer Fredette to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The LA Clippers send
Amare Stoudemire to the Detroit
Pistons. The Minnesota
Timberwolves send Danny Granger, Derrick Williams and John
Jenkins to the Detroit
Pistons.
The Detroit
Pistons send a 2nd-Rounder (Det) to the LA Clippers. The LA Clippers
send a 1st-Rounder (LAC) to the Detroit
Pistons. The Detroit
Pistons receive 7 GM points. The LA Clippers trade -10 GM points.The Minnesota Timberwolves
receive 3 GM points.
Moving
that horrible contract that was Amare was, by far, the best move Andrew made
this year. Amare did play in his most
games since the 2010/11 season, but he also exercised his option for $23.5
million….. Can you say cap space, boys
and girls?
Worst Trade
The LA Clippers send Shane Battier
to the Philadelphia
76ers. The Philadelphia
76ers send Luke Ridnour to the LA Clippers. The LA Clippers receive 2 GM
points. The Philadelphia
76ers trade -2 GM points.
I’m
willing to bet that the Clippers thought Ridnour would chip in more than just
the measly 2.8 per game he scored last year after the trade. In exchange, LA
gave up the defensive presence that was Shane Battier, who helped Philly pull
out a tough 7 game series vs Boston.
Other Notable
Trades
The Indiana Pacers send Ersan Ilyasova to
the LA Clippers. The LA Clippers send Kyle Korver to the Indiana Pacers. The LA
Clippers send a 2nd-Rounder (Det) to the Indiana Pacers. The Indiana Pacers trade -15 GM points.The LA
Clippers receive 15 GM points.
Another
trade to get a stretch 4, but Ersan is a little costly for a player that isn’t
starting, no?
The LA Clippers send Corey Brewer to
the Washington
Wizards. The Washington
Wizards send Vince Carter to the LA Clippers.
Brewer
is nice, but Vin-Sanity is still an NLL glitch!
He ended up scoring almost 20 a game for the Clips!!!
Best FA Signing
Corey Brewer – Flipped the FA for Carter before the trade deadline.
Worst FA Signing
Dewayne Dedmon - He lasted about a month
before the Clips looked for a replacement.
Star
Monta Ellis – the undersized SG continues to tear up opposing teams, scoring
over 27 PPG.
Surprise
Vince Carter – Even though the guy is practically retired, he continues to
score at will in the NLL. It seems like
teams decide to move him, and then he shows them he’s still got it and they
shouldn’t have traded him.
Goat
Alexey Shved – His scoring production was dropped by 66% as he went from almost
10 PPG to a disappointing 3. Also, his 3 point shooting dropped from 37%
to 28%
Draft Report Card
Ask us in about 2-3 years, as GM Andrew decided it was the year of the euro
stash. Dario Saric and Christon Semaj
are both intriguing players, but neither will cross the pond to play in the U.S. this year.
Draft
grade: ???
Looking to the
Future
With 8 players future in the air, LA looks to try to improve on a 7th
place finish and a 1st round exit.
Monte Ellis is the star, but the rest of the team is searching for an
identity. Not having more than 7 guys
under contract can do that to a team. If
the Clippers can make a splash in FA, they could continue to be a middle of the
pack playoff team, but that starts by re-signing Ellis!
Upcoming Free
Agents
Pau Gasol – It’s really going to be hard to keep Pau, as he’s hinted he wants to test the
market. His overall skill set will be
extremely hard to replace.
Monte
Ellis – Rumor has it that LA will do whatever they can to keep Monte. If these players bolt, it would be a major
boom for the FA market and there will be major bidding wars on Monte and Pau.
Luke
Ridnour – Underachieving PG that didn’t seem to play to his abilities. But, is there any FA that are better that LA
could get? That old saying, “A bird in
the hand is worth 2 in the bush�
Mike
Scott – Player that Andrew would like to see blossom, but hasn’t. Could it be time to let him go?
Vince
Carter – He can still contribute at a high level, if he decides he will play
another year.
Ishmael
Smith – Another bench filler.
Chris
Andersen – Birdman is rumored to be flying with the Clippers another season.
Darius
Miller – There are rumors he may go overseas?
