It’s not always easy to keep perspective. Like when the 410 lb. orca whale purchasing $30-worth of Burger King for himself double-checks with the cashier that the soda he was served is Diet. But we here at Razzball know how difficult maintaining perspective can be, especially when you’re drunk and trying to sketch moving objects. So from now until the start of the season, we’re bringing you the 2010 Fantasy Team Previews, which will focus on each NBA team in hopes of painting a clearer fantasy picture. Who’s starting over whom? Who might surprise you and who might make you want to hurl yourself off a bridge in a few months. Enjoy! Next up – The Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers will always have a spot in my heart because they will never be good. They used to play in one of my favorite NBA arenas, nick-named the Clip-Joint, and the NBA will need to make some changes if they ever become a contender. They might make a heartfelt run in the playoffs like they did with Sam Cassell and Elton Brand a few years ago (c’mon, how do you not like that duo?), but they will never be a contender.
LAC will continue trying to trade Baron Davis and his three years and nearly $40 million left on his contract, but that wont be easy since Davis is and always will be insubordinate. Only the Clippers would sign Baron Davis to that contract and it will be another season of battling for the 8th spot, even with Blake Griffin’s emergence.
Gained – Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, Al-Farouq Aminu, Blake Griffin (fo’real this time)
Lost – Drew Gooden, Steve Blake, Ricky Davis, Travis Outlaw, Mardy Collins
Probable Depth Chart –
PG – Baron Davis, Randy Foye, Eric Bledsoe
SG – Eric Gordon
SF – Rasual Butler, Ryan Gomes, Al-Farouq Aminu
PF – Blake Griffin, Craig Smith, Brian Cook
C – Chris Kaman, DeAndre Jordan, Jarron Collins
3 concerns with the Clippers:
1. Wait, the Clippers aren’t going to make the playoffs, right?
Well, they’re the Clippers and they will always figure out a way to screw something up. Last year it was Blake Griffin, and this year we can only hope and pray it isn’t him again. Griffin should be the next great athletic big man in the NBA, but he plays for the most futile team in sports history.
2. How will Baron Davis’ fat get in the way of his performance in 2011?
That question is asked by everyone in the NBA and it won’t end until the Baron of Inglewood finally retires in three years. Even Baron wakes up everyday with a different mindset from the day before. Sometimes it is good, other times it is the opposite. Davis is kinda like the aging Randy Moss of the NBA. Moss is not very good anymore, and neither is Davis, yet they both continue to show up to work with poor attitudes and expect to produce while not trying or making an effort to get better at their ages. Davis has other interests in life, for instance food and movies (Hey! Me too!), and seems bored with the basketball lifestyle. He’s never been considered for Team USA and has only made two All Star teams, the last seven years ago. Lucky for Davis he is not playing for a contract like Moss but he is more than likely in his last contract with three years remaining and nearly $40 million left on it. Boom Dizzle is one of my favorite personalities in any sport, but be very cautious of him for the rest of his fantasy basketball career.
3. So, who is good on this team?
Chris Kaman played in 76 games last season and averaged a robust 18.5 PPG and 9.3 RPG. Some people say his numbers are inflated because he was the only player who tried on the Clips last season, but that’s not true (Mike Gundy voice). Kaman might not be the greatest player in the world, and I always get queasy when I get told he should be on the All-Star team, but he is a very good fantasy player and an even better NBA player. Kaman’s numbers will see a slight decrease with Blake Griffin playing, but Kaman should still have a very good season at a thin position.
Eric Gordon played for Team USA this off-season and is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. With Gordon and Blake Griffin, the Clippers have two players that will likely play for Team USA 2016, but neither will likely be a Clipper by 2016. Gordon can shoot and score, but that is about it at this point in his career, and we hope he continues to get better and is not only known as a shooter.
Blake Griffin is gonna be a stud. In fact, he already is. BG is a big time highlight reel and will have a chip on his shoulder throughout the season after missing last year with knee surgery. He and John Wall will be atop the ROY list all season long and look for Griffin to average close to what Chris Kaman did last year.
Fantasy Disappointment in ’10 – Baron Davis. His best years are way behind him and because he always disappoints.
Biggest Fantasy Contributor in ’10 – Blake Griffin. He’s one of the best young players in the NBA.
Deep Sleeper – DeAndre Jordan. Chris Kaman and Blake Griffin are not known for being healthy and DeAndre Jordan could have a big season if he gets close to 25 MPG. If he saw 32 MPG he would be a double-double force, and he does not get into much foul trouble, and he is still only 22 years old. Once a big time NBA prospect, Jordan slipped to the Clips in the draft, but there has never been a doubt how talented Jordan is. One of these years Jordan will become an NBA regular, and hopefully this is the year.
