Clippers Presser

[aburns211]

Hello and welcome to the Los Angeles Clippers 2009 Pre Season Press Conference. I stand before you full of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming basketball season. However, I would like to start with a recap of the season that just past.

2008-2009 was a good year, we saw the steady improvement in our team that we expected to see. Unfortunately, we didn't make it as far as we thought we could in the playoffs. We had an outstanding 56 win season, yet that only netted us the 5 seed in the Western Conference. Last season injuries to key pieces, although short term, lead to a 7-10 finish to season. The slow finish dropped us to the 5 seed which matched us up with a tough Lakers team and without home court advantage. They made quick work of us and kicked us out of the playoffs.

As we headed into the off season, I knew one thing: I have a superstar that is heading into his prime and therefore I need to put the right pieces around him in order to succeed. We had the 24th pick in the draft, we used it to select Tyler Hansbrough out of the University of North Carolina. We were in talks with the Knicks on draft day about acquiring Elton Brand, when the Knicks indicated that the addition of Hansbrough would put the deal over the top; we jumped on the opportunity. The acquisition of Brand could be the move that moves this team from a good team to a great team. Brand, the 8 time all-star, is getting older but will be a big contributor to the Clippers this season. We were also able to bring in some solid depth in free agency, signing Calvin Booth, Jarvis Hayes, and Allen Iverson, among others.

We have high expectations for this season and our goal is to win the Pacific division for the 1st time in my career. Our starting lineup with look something like this:

C: Dirk Nowitzki
PF: Elton Brand
SF: Kevin Durant
SG: Francisco Garcia
PG: Delonte West

I will now open up the floor for any questions. Thank you for all that attended this morning.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: With so many scorers on the team, is there a worry that there won't be enough shots to go around? How do you plan on getting around that problem?

[TrayWithAnA]

Where do you see yourself finishing at the end of the season?


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[aburns211]

Random Reporter: With so many scorers on the team, is there a worry that there won't be enough shots to go around? How do you plan on getting around that problem?

I'd say having too many scorers is a good problem to have. The ability for our team to move the ball, get in the best matchup possible will be a huge asset. Or if somebody is having an off night, other guys are there to step up. Our guys are unselfish and are here to win; not necessarily worried about individual accolades.

[aburns211]

Where do you see yourself finishing at the end of the season?


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That's a tough question. So much happens during the course of a season: injuries, trades, team chemistry or lack there of. In a perfect world, I could see us in the finals. But our first goal is to win the division.

[NOLa.]

We now have Rashard, Curry, Love and your very own Durant. This is quite a group of talented All Star players in the Pacific. What separates Durant from the others, and do you have a defender that could somehow slow down the others?

Sent via Morse code

[JNR]

GWR: Is this the year Durant takes a leadership role and helps them contend for the division title?

[aburns211]

We now have Rashard, Curry, Love and your very own Durant. This is quite a group of talented All Star players in the Pacific. What separates Durant from the others, and do you have a defender that could somehow slow down the others?

Sent via Morse code

Durant still needs some time to fully develop, but I would say his ability to create for himself is what separates him from that group you listed.

And, umm, I wouldn't say I have a defender that can slow those guys down but if we can defend as a unit; we can hold down those guys fairly well.

[aburns211]

GWR: Is this the year Durant takes a leadership role and helps them contend for the division title?

Yes, this is now his team; we will go as far as he takes us.

[WigNosy]

How do you see Calvin Booth affecting team chemistry when you bring him in off the bench and lose the ability to stretch the floor?

[aburns211]

How do you see Calvin Booth affecting team chemistry when you bring him in off the bench and lose the ability to stretch the floor?

I don't think it will mess with team chemistry; if anything it gives us a different look when he enters the game. I'm excited about bringing in Calvin because he fills a need that has been empty for a few years now. We haven't had a defensive presence that can block shots like Calvin, I can't wait to see how that enhances our team.