S54 New Clip City Presser

[MexicanMamba]

The first thing I want to say, to our fans, is that we sure as hell tried.  The last 3-4 seasons, pretty much since we traded for Gary Loredo, we did everything in our power to build a championship team.  Those players went out and gave it their all for you and though we unfortunately came up short in our quest to add our 2nd ring and the franchise’s 3rd, we left no stone unturned in our attempts.  After losing Game 7’s at home the past two playoffs, we knew that we had to go into this season fresh.  It was time for something new. 
 
So, thank you:
 
Terry Sterner
Gary Loredo
Jordan Johnson
Nikolas Lynch
Ron Jarvis
 
You did everything you could, and we wish you nothing but the best this coming season in your quests to grab a title.  Terry was a particularly hard one because he had been with us for so long and been through so much with us.  We had very candid discussions with all of these guys, but in particular Terry, about what was best for us but also what was best for their careers.  Thankfully we were able to accommodate deals (and free agency cooperated) to get all of them on viable contenders. 
 
So, who the hell is left?
 
Well, first, let’s go ahead and welcome back Zeke Nnaji.  Zeke was rewarded handsomely this off-season and for good reason.  He has been a hell of a team player these past few years when he was our anchor defensively but in an offense that was completely removed from his skillset, making it difficult for him to show off his true value to the outside world.  Now, he is coming into the season as the #1 option.  As you all have seen however, our office is currently taking trade offers for him and will continue to do so throughout the season.  Zeke and I have spoken about this, much like with Sterner, and while we both have great respect for each other, Zeke understandable wants to be part of a championship caliber team so, out of respect for him, we will listen and accommodate that request IF a deal that makes sense for us comes along. 
 
Also in trade we brought in a young man that we are very excited to watch blossom here, Dong Bone.  He is the natural replacement for Gary Loredo and we expect huge things from him very soon.  Also from Minnesota, Jaxson Hayes also slides over for much needed depth.  From Portland and Oklahoma City, we obtained Earnest Frechette and Raiquan Gray, both of whom had fantastic training camps and are in-line for big minutes.  In a smaller move, we brought in rookie Eric Huggins, who has a long way to go but we have hopes that he can develop over time. 
 
Free agency was mostly about fringe help, with the likes of Robby Squires, Randolph Brown and Peter Harker, though we did get very interesting pieces in Frank Daily and Mike Weiner.  Daily in particular has really impressed us with his work ethic in his short time here in L.A.  We did swing for the fences in free agency and feel very comfortable in the pitches we made to certain big ticket players, but, there’s only so many seats at the table every year and we JUST missed out. 
 
Still, we are very excited about the future of this team and look forward to doing more moving and shaking as we go along this season. 
 
Currently our starting 5 (+1) is likely looking something like:
 
C: Zeke Nnaji
PF: Raiquan Gray
SF: Frank Daily
SG: Dong Bone
PG: Randolph Brown
6: Earnest Frechette
 
Now, who has questions?




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[false9]

You picked up quite a few young pieces. Have you identified any as a foundational piece for the next Clippers title contender or is it too soon to say?

[MexicanMamba]

You picked up quite a few young pieces. Have you identified any as a foundational piece for the next Clippers title contender or is it too soon to say?

Dong Bone is going to be the guy. At least out of this group. I paid him to be that guy and I'll give him every opportunity to take advantage. Going to work to coach him hard to get the most out of him (Yeah, there's a hard dong joke in here somewhere). Size, speed, athleticism, shooting. He's got most of the tools I'd want. Just need to hone in on a couple things.


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[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: I know it might be a sore spot, but after coming so close with your last group, what have you learned from not getting that 2nd ring that you're going to apply to your next build?

[MexicanMamba]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: I know it might be a sore spot, but after coming so close with your last group, what have you learned from not getting that 2nd ring that you're going to apply to your next build?

I genuinely don't think I did much wrong. In the Finals vs Chicago, I just got beaten in a Game 7 by a Delmar Lopez special. Last season I got bombed by a bonkers lineup that I'd never imagined would've worked like it did. So, what can one do differently besides get one more better player?

But if I had to come up with something I guess it would be to not be so rigid with my lineups when the playoffs roll around. Don't be afraid to be bold and shock the system of the other squad.

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[greepleairport]

You haven't missed the playoffs since you joined the league pretty much. Are you expecting you'll miss them this year? Is this the deepest rebuild you've undertaken so far? How does it all feel?

[MexicanMamba]

You haven't missed the playoffs since you joined the league pretty much. Are you expecting you'll miss them this year? Is this the deepest rebuild you've undertaken so far? How does it all feel?

It is an absolute certainty that I'll miss the playoffs this season and I'm okay with that. Since I initially built my team I've never gone this far in the rebuild direction so, I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with to pull myself out of it. Gives me a little extra juice, honestly.

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[digiskunk]

Daphne Deepthroat, PBS: First and foremost, I want to reach out and say that I can relate with your disappoint, as I am one myself. But right now, your team is overloaded with big-men. How many of them are on the trade block? Do you foresee yourself making a major trade to acquire somebody, you know, who's not a center in the near future?

[MexicanMamba]

Daphne Deepthroat, PBS: First and foremost, I want to reach out and say that I can relate with your disappoint, as I am one myself. But right now, your team is overloaded with big-men. How many of them are on the trade block? Do you foresee yourself making a major trade to acquire somebody, you know, who's not a center in the near future?

Pretty much the entire roster besides Mr. Bone is available to be tinkered with if teams come calling. It's a full-blown rebuild, so I'd definitely love to be active on the trade market. Lets just see who decides they want to play ball.

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[K-100]

As you embark on your first rebuild is there a new style of play you want to implement this time around or is still too early to tell with the assets you have right now?

[MexicanMamba]

As you embark on your first rebuild is there a new style of play you want to implement this time around or is still too early to tell with the assets you have right now?

Well, I know what I'd like to do, but the execution of it will obviously be key. I had a ton of fun running a small lineup with shooters everywhere. It led to great results too! But I would definitely like to get back to an attacking offensive philosophy if I can get the youth/vets to make that happen. Bone currently fits my most recent teams cause of his ability to hit the 3, but we'll see about coaching him up to attack more.

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[ballsohard]

Any bold trades you see happening this season? Who do you think is the next young team to run the league, your Clippers perhaps?

[MexicanMamba]

Any bold trades you see happening this season? Who do you think is the next young team to run the league, your Clippers perhaps?

If I had to do a power poll of teams built around youth right now, I can say with great confidence that I would not put my Clippers at the top. Though I do like a number of these young guys, it needs to be more varied talent. Plus, some teams have just gotten their hands on higher potential talent, such as Chicago, Detroit, Orlando. I'd imagine Chcago and Orlando specifically making pushes to deal a good chunk of that youth away when they see a championship opening too.

As for bold trades? Do you mean for ME or league-wide? For me I'd imagine the biggest it'll get is moving Nnaji if I get an offer worth exploring.

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[drkavarga]

Do you think losing the Game 7's at home created psychological issues that messed with the overall team chemistry in the postseason that kept you from getting another ring?

[MexicanMamba]

Do you think losing the Game 7's at home created psychological issues that messed with the overall team chemistry in the postseason that kept you from getting another ring?

Team chemistry is never a problem here. Even this season, with hopes of being good being incredibly bleak, we start off with "good" cohesion. Losing Game 7s is tough, but the guys stayed united.

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[Eazy P]

This is your 1st rebuild since joining the league, what are looking out of your team aside from a high lotto pick? Is there an itch to flip the young guys for players to help you compete for a ring this?

[MexicanMamba]

This is your 1st rebuild since joining the league, what are looking out of your team aside from a high lotto pick? Is there an itch to flip the young guys for players to help you compete for a ring this?

Just going to give some of these young guys minutes and see what they got. Showcase Nnaji. In general though, the goal will be getting in position for a high pick. My philosophy on this is if I'm going to be good, try being great. If I'm going to be bad, be damn TERRIBLE.

I'd listen to trades for more ready-made players, for sure, but I cannot imagine one shaking loose that would completely change my fortunes into contender status. If anything I'm more likely to get even younger, if Nnaji finds a suitable home.



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[jlmarines]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: Let's face it, Clipper fans are not used to losing. You went winless during preseason. There's a generation of fans that never experienced a losing record.

What do you consider a successful year? Who will have worse record, Cavs or Clippers?

Lastly, don't forget to checkout Bieber latest album. Thank you.

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