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I'd take any of those three players but Zach Randolph would be last in preference.
By HOWARD BECK
Published: June 7, 2009
LOS ANGELES — It takes some boldness and creativity to siphon attention from the Los Angeles Lakers during the finals. The city’s other N.B.A. franchise showed a little of both Saturday afternoon.
The Clippers held a workout for Blake Griffin, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the draft, and invited members of the news media to watch. About 45 reporters, as well as 30 season-ticket holders and corporate sponsors, attended the workout at the team’s training center.
It was a great public-relations move, tarnished only slightly by an erratic shooting performance.
“It’s been better,” Griffin said, chagrined. “Today wasn’t great.”
Griffin was solid from the baseline but missed midrange shots outside the lane and was spotty at the free-throw line. Nerves might have been a problem. Griffin, a 6-foot-10, 251-pound forward who starred at Oklahoma, said he had no idea he would be performing in front of an audience.
“But that’s not an excuse,” he said. “I can shoot better than that and I should have.”
The Clippers, who hold the top pick in the June 25 draft, are not worried. Griffin became the consensus No. 1 choice because of his powerful build and his spectacular athleticism, which was also on full display. He showed off a variety of moves: spinning around the assistant Kim Hughes; finishing with both hands; repeatedly taking off from outside the paint and soaring to the rim for dunks.
“I think Adonis was the body that most people probably equate him with,” said Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers’ coach and general manager. “He’s got major hops. He’s got big hands. He finishes. He’s strong.”
He also has a quick wit. Asked whom he is most often compared to, Griffin said, “Shrek.”
The Clippers have already declared that Griffin will be their pick on draft night, barring an unforeseen trade. Saturday’s workout was designed in part to stoke some excitement among a fan base that has had little reason to cheer.
To make room for Griffin, the Clippers will almost certainly have to trade one of their highly paid big men — Zach Randolph, Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby. But Dunleavy said Griffin had the skills to play anywhere from center to small forward, which could ease the logjam.
For his grand finale, Griffin showed off uncanny ball-handling skills, dribbling two and then three balls simultaneously — “something you probably don’t see too often from a 6-10 guy,” Dunleavy said.
Griffin spoke hopefully about leading a Clippers renaissance. That would be his most impressive trick of all.
I'd take any of those three players but Zach Randolph would be last in preference.
When I look at the Clippers with 4 quality big men and Baron Davis and Eric Gordon, I see a very under-achieving team.
How the did they miss the Playoffs?
I don't think the Clippers need Blake Griffin, they need a shooting guard. They should send off the #1 pick for OJ Mayo.
1) Injuries
2) Dunleavy
They have a very good shooting guard in Eric Gordon. Griffin is a great prospect. And the Clippers are going nowhere with a blackhole like Randolf and dead wood like Kaman (overrated, always hurt, overpaid).
Stack for Camby
it's not difficult at all to see why they suck..
almost every player on their team is a 1-dimensional ballhog, doesn't play defense, or doesn't have any work ethic..doesn't help to have arguably the worst coach in the NBA..
Baron Davis barely gave any effort all year, combined with his usual horrible shot selection..Al Thornton is one of the biggest ballhogs in the NBA, and one of the worst defenders..Randolph is the same..Camby likes to get his offense in a few times a game, and his defensive ability doesn't consist of man defense or IQ..Ricky Davis is Ricky Davis..Chris Kaman is injury prone and is one of the most overrated players in the NBA..
Eric Gordon and Griffin are the only ones on the team that should be Clippers in 2010..they should trade every other player for whatever they can get, and get 1 or 2 more lottery picks..
Dunleavy is by far the wost coach in the NBA I agree that team has playoff talent but aside from the fluke 2006 season when that the team inexplicably had chemistry Dunleavy will never be in the playoffs. And I agree with 21_Blessings about Kaman, I've honestly never seen anything special about the guy and I don't know why everyone thinks he's a quality center.
They even have a good small forward in Al Thorton and both Mike Taylor and DeAndre Jordan have a fair share of potential. Getting Z-Bo was re ed for them and if they want to have a productive season the front office should grow a pair, fire Dunleavy, try to find a team dumb enough to take Z-Bo and if no team does they should tell him to sit at home and get fatter. There will undoubtedly be a team that would trade for Kaman.
Al Thorton still has potential and he's still young. Bring in the right coach who will demand defense and give him a chance. Also, you probably didn't mean trade these two when you said everyone but Gordon and Griffin but Mike Taylor and deAndre Jordan both have potential. Jordan was the guy I hoped Phoenix took last year and if not for a crappy college season he would have been a top 5 pick.
thorton cant shoot for his life. they need to trade kaman. he is trash for the team. randolph can get and always does get 20 and 10 whether his defense is horrible. he is no worse than amare.
Amare has actually been a key contributor on a winning team. The only time Z-Bo was on a winning team was his first two seasons when he barely played. Yeah Amare is a POS but lets not get carried away saying he and Z-Bo are equivalent players. If the Suns traded Amare they wouldn't magically get better the way Portland did.
Thorton isn't THAT young. Wasn't he a 4 year Senior? He's already around 26, I think. Which si pretty old for a 3rd year player.
Dem you're right he turns 26 in November. Well scratch the keep Thorton thing LA needs to dump him at this point as well
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