S56 Clippers
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 9:52 am
Hello and good morning … or whenever it is that you will actually read this!
We’re here for another season of pre-season presser goodness all about the Clippers of Los Angeles. Before we get to all of the things that happened in this recent off-season period, I’ll take a moment to do a quick rundown of the previous season. The roster which was constructed last season was a strange one. Incredibly young almost all around and some parts were ill-fitting. We were searching all season for someone to rely on to play Point Guard and Center, and really were looking for someone to step up and take on the #1 scoring role, but it never really materialized as I had hoped. Still, though young and inexperienced, the team managed to fight its way to a playoff spot. Sure, we were immediately swept out, but I think it was valuable experience for such a youthful group.
Now onto this off-season. I came in with a very open mind as to where I should try to go. Should we go even younger? Maybe try to beef up the roster and go all-in? We received called concerning Karlo Pearson and Dong Bone and at least listened. I inquired about Zaire Wade and took a shot in the dark about the viability of Dorian Whitley being available in a sign and trade scenario. Ultimately, Karlo and Bone were our guys and patience with them is the goal. However, that did not mean we wanted to simply sit back and do nothing and have another roster of broken pieces.
Daishen Nix and Lyman Bradley were two young, promising players that we had faith and confidence in, but we needed an infusion of veteran leadership to assist with the growth of our youth. So, they were sent to places where they hopefully can get better opportunities. In return we worked to fill some of our primary roster issues in Point Guard and Center. Enter: Chadwick Dangerfield and Kenneth Heard. These are two players that I have personally coveted for quite some time, and I am very excited to see what they bring to the table this season. Outside of trades, I remained relatively quiet. Harland Cain is back after a few year absence and brings more veteran leadership and David McCafferty is back yet again to handle backup Point Guard duties. The one shot we took was bidding on 23-year-old Corey Kispert, and its very exciting that he chose to come here. Last season in Toronto, he came off the bench and scored 15 points per game and he will be asked to do more of the same here in our 6th man role.
Also new to the team are rookies Tony Parris and Safi Fino-A-Laself. We obviously do not have much to go on yet with these two, but they have been wildly impressive in training camp. Safi in particular has been a joy to watch compete and is doing everything the right way. We feel like we have ourselves a genuine steal with the 8th pick in the draft. Camp in general was incredibly positive for us, perhaps the best camp I’ve seen us have here, in the 18 camps I’ve been around for.
I feel re-invigorated with this team. The present and the future look bright and exciting. The division shake-up means that we are in one hellacious division and conference, so we are going to have to work for every single thing that we get. Believe that we are ready to fight for it.
Projected line-up:
C: Kenneth Heard
PF: Raiquan Gray
SF: Karlo Pearson
SG: Dong Bone
PG: Chadwick Dangerfield
6th: Corey Kispert
And now, what questions do you all have for me?
We’re here for another season of pre-season presser goodness all about the Clippers of Los Angeles. Before we get to all of the things that happened in this recent off-season period, I’ll take a moment to do a quick rundown of the previous season. The roster which was constructed last season was a strange one. Incredibly young almost all around and some parts were ill-fitting. We were searching all season for someone to rely on to play Point Guard and Center, and really were looking for someone to step up and take on the #1 scoring role, but it never really materialized as I had hoped. Still, though young and inexperienced, the team managed to fight its way to a playoff spot. Sure, we were immediately swept out, but I think it was valuable experience for such a youthful group.
Now onto this off-season. I came in with a very open mind as to where I should try to go. Should we go even younger? Maybe try to beef up the roster and go all-in? We received called concerning Karlo Pearson and Dong Bone and at least listened. I inquired about Zaire Wade and took a shot in the dark about the viability of Dorian Whitley being available in a sign and trade scenario. Ultimately, Karlo and Bone were our guys and patience with them is the goal. However, that did not mean we wanted to simply sit back and do nothing and have another roster of broken pieces.
Daishen Nix and Lyman Bradley were two young, promising players that we had faith and confidence in, but we needed an infusion of veteran leadership to assist with the growth of our youth. So, they were sent to places where they hopefully can get better opportunities. In return we worked to fill some of our primary roster issues in Point Guard and Center. Enter: Chadwick Dangerfield and Kenneth Heard. These are two players that I have personally coveted for quite some time, and I am very excited to see what they bring to the table this season. Outside of trades, I remained relatively quiet. Harland Cain is back after a few year absence and brings more veteran leadership and David McCafferty is back yet again to handle backup Point Guard duties. The one shot we took was bidding on 23-year-old Corey Kispert, and its very exciting that he chose to come here. Last season in Toronto, he came off the bench and scored 15 points per game and he will be asked to do more of the same here in our 6th man role.
Also new to the team are rookies Tony Parris and Safi Fino-A-Laself. We obviously do not have much to go on yet with these two, but they have been wildly impressive in training camp. Safi in particular has been a joy to watch compete and is doing everything the right way. We feel like we have ourselves a genuine steal with the 8th pick in the draft. Camp in general was incredibly positive for us, perhaps the best camp I’ve seen us have here, in the 18 camps I’ve been around for.
I feel re-invigorated with this team. The present and the future look bright and exciting. The division shake-up means that we are in one hellacious division and conference, so we are going to have to work for every single thing that we get. Believe that we are ready to fight for it.
Projected line-up:
C: Kenneth Heard
PF: Raiquan Gray
SF: Karlo Pearson
SG: Dong Bone
PG: Chadwick Dangerfield
6th: Corey Kispert
And now, what questions do you all have for me?