Jerry West Interview

pay wall. Can anyone lost article in sections related to Clippers?

I don't like Jerry West coming out at this point in time talking about how he wanted to stay in Bay area. It seems to me that he would've gotten all this off his chest when he accepted the position with the Clippers, why now? Unless, Jerry West was blindsided and didn't know the full predicament the Clippers were actually in, no assets, draft picks, lack of desire to win a championship, development of rookies could be more than he thought was needed. Seems to me he's sending out feelers to GS, in the event they may want him back.

Well, I'm not happy with West's comments either, but he's right. All we can do is hope that we make better decisions.

Everything is pretty public knowledge, it is pretty impossible for West to have been blindsided, it really is impossible, especially someone like him who knows what's going on in the league, so that doesn't even seem like a plausible hypothesis to me. What is true is that he has a soft spot for the Warriors organization, he did help build a lot of what they did there, and it seems like he considered them all good people.

West doesn't take credit for anything. That's the type of leader you want. Gives all the credit to the staff.

He's a consultant... nothing more, nothing less. Same as he was in Oakland.

I'm not gonna lie... his influence has seen the team get younger and more unpredictable, and therefore potentially more exciting. But I just want to remind everybody that the moves we've made - even on paper - haven't yet made us a better team.

Let's not all feel disrespected by a guy pining for his championship team... and let's not all bow down to a guy who has delivered precisely zero championships so far.

Jerry's a good hire... I like Jerry... but FFS, it's beginning to sound like a cult around here.

Well, all things have to pan out for this year's off season to be considered a success. We need to set parameters for that. My criteria for a good season is a second round appearance. Most of the NBA doesn't give us a fair shot now that Paul is on the Rockets, so if we can get to the same place where Paul did...the second round, then it's success. This proves that the front office essentially replaced one of the biggest names in the NBA with smaller, serviceable pieces. If we only get to the first round, then its acceptable given the circumstance, but certainly not the ideal outcome (this is the more realistic outcome I think). However, after this season, the honeymoon is over, we should hold this club to the same standards we held it while Paul was here, which is a championship. Essentially, we will only know if these moves have made us better by the end of this coming years playoffs. I think a fair share of praise is due to West because of the moves made. While no one wants to lose their starting point guard, the pieces acquired in return soften the blow and can turn into bigger moves down the line...e.g., moving the draft pick we got from Houston (plus other pieces) for Danillo Gallinari, whom could be the best small forward we have had in years. I'm not going to repeat my entire post about the changes made this year versus Doc's previous off seasons, but I think we can all agree that this off season has seen one of the biggest departures from what we typically do. Now if this causation or correlation? That's a great debate, but based on Jerry West's track record with the Lakers, Memphis, and Golden State,....

A success is a year when you have a lot of fun, you get passionate. How many would prefer to watch the head bangers fight for a PO berth passionately or watch BG shoot jumpers and Jamal chuck get to the second round and are as exciting as a jello salad? A bit overstated.

Well you definitely want it to be exciting. I think this group may have that potential.

Wtf? So the bar for this season is to be exciting. Sh1t we could have signed 12 guys from the And1 league and head an exciting team. Western conference finals or bust quit lowering the bar. Remember BG is supposed to be a superstar and we're deeper now than we were a year ago

Well to set the record straight, it was toohip that had stated that bar. My set bar is above in a previous post. Usually, teams that trade away or lose a star player end up worse. Cleveland after Lebron comes to mind, Oklahoma after Durant, or the Lakers immediately after Shaq was traded. With an expected decline, an unrealistic bar to set would be WCF, although we would all love that. Because we had to trade away our star player, a realistic goal/bar would be to repeat or exceed the same results we had with Paul. Therefore, in my opinion success this year would be to sustain a second round appearance in the playoffs. This would be success because the front office would have essentially replaced a huge contract with small, manageable contracts yet still achieved the same results. Now after this year, then the expectations would rise, at least from me. We couldn't use the excuse that Paul is no longer here, so we can't be expected to contend. In my opinion you only get so long of a grace period, and after this year the front office and organization better have higher goals than simply maintaining the status quo. So essentially, the Clippers should only be given some slack this year, and this year only...after this season they better achieve greater than a second round exit.

Actually this is Doc Rivers year to prove that he can coach. He has 2 years left on his contract, but if he does not produce or does bad supstitutions, this could be his last year!

So there is no slack this year.. Also DJ is in his last year, and Blake Griffin just signed a big contract.. If Blake does not do well, maybe he will be traded. Everybody is expendable on this team..Coach included! The owner wants a championship! And so do some of us fans!

I think you've set a pretty reasonable goal, PageC4... a second round appearance would definitely be adequate, given the circumstances. And Toohip is correct, too. We should, as fans, expect to be entertained.

But I'm tempering my expectations. My hopes aren't nearly as high as some CNS fans, and that's OK... I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong. I don't like how injury-prone the squad is as a whole, and I think that we'll struggle to defend the better guards in the league, while having an offensively sub-par backcourt. Lou Williams as your most reliable scoring guard isn't going to cut it in crunch-time in W/C games, IMO.

Still... if Teodosic's game translates, it could be a difference-maker. I've always advocated the Clips looking overseas more, and if this works, it's the difference between making the second round and maybe missing the show altogether. For me, he's the key to the whole season... as well as Blake finally maturing - or maybe 'regressing' to his rookie year - to finally be able to carry a team.

Last season, after how fantastically it started, left a really bad taste in my mouth. Clippers need to earn my trust and faith again.

There are a lot of questions with this squad of course. You're certainly right in that regard, and you are correct that we are just as likely to miss the playoffs as we are to get to the second round due to the injury prone nature of some of these players and the unknown skills of others like Teodosic. I never saw these moves as moves to put us into contention, or to magically get us past a place Paul couldn't get us. I think that our situation is similar to the Denver Nuggets after they traded Carmelo Anthony. Yes, they lost a superstar, but the moves they got in return gave them depth and kept them in the playoffs for a few years. I have a feeling we may be in similar territory. What we have to look at this team as what it really is-a very solid team that was built after losing their star player. Despite the fact that we lost the best player on the team, we rebounded well and put together a potential 6th through 8th seed team. As for the really hot start a few seasons ago (I assume you were referring to the 14-2 start year?), we just need to always exercise caution when interpreting streaks like that. I think what many people fell trap to was the excitement and hope of something different. However streaks come and go, but what is more indicative of where you will be is the cast of players you have had and their previous records. We also saw a similar streak a few years before that when we had the NBA's longest win streak that year at like 15 or 16 games in December I believe. Unless, your core is young and there is a reasonable expected rate of....

I'm 100% with you guys PageC4 and Cleepers. 2nd round best case scenario, no playoffs if injuries mount and Teodosic's game doesn't translate. What I will say (probably already been said) is this team is going to be a lot more fun. It has more hustle/scrap guys, more versatility, more uncertainty, lower expectations.

I haven't truly loved this team for maybe 3 seasons. I think since that Rockets series I've been partially checked out. This is the first time since that year that I'm literally counting down the days till the season. Checking news+this forum constantly.

I don't even expect many wins. I just want to enjoy watching them again and love the players we have. I predict I'm gonna love Beverley, Teodosic, Gallo. All 3 seem to have a fire and an edge to them. I've been pretty consistent in beating a dead horse about the lack of heart and toughness on the team. This team will likely return to being much closer off the court.

This is why I am also excited about this coming season, as well as why I was excited about this team despite my prediction on the final standing and playoff outcome. During the Chris Paul, Deandre Jordan, and Blake Griffin core, we never really had a true, gritty defender. I know people will say it was DJ, but DJ had a talent for highlight blocked shots, but often DJ let many players past him for easy buckets. Beverley is unlike anyone we have had, and I think the guy plays with enough heart that win or lose we will be entertained and satisfied that everything was left on the court. That is certainly something we couldn't say before because when we lost, we got blown out, and there were many wins where you can tell that we barely hung on. Redick was right, there was no joy in that core, and we took solace in meaningless individual accolades. I don't think that will be the case this year, and I view the potential for greater unity.

Simply put for me, we are a better overall balanced team on PAPER then last year. Weather that translates to more wins or where we end up in the playoffs seating ALL depends on the health of the team.

Odds may not be in our favor in that category, but who knows stranger things have happened and that's why I've bet big on the over in Vegas. Go Clips.

At what position are we worse? PG. That's it. We lost Jamal which we've been truing to do for years. JJ should not have started.. I can guarantee that Austin will be better. If he is significantly better he will be a leader.He may be a deadly 3 pt shooter. DJ will be the same but as leader, he kicks ace and takes names but is not as malignant as CP. We don't have great shooters but JC was spotty and JJ could not shoot spot up and was an awful ball handler for a small guard. There will be trades. Please trade Blake.

Getting to the second round is a Ricky Davis pipe dream. Give us first and out.in the POs' I will be happy. Give us no drama or stupid screw ups and I will be happy.

Remember, Cleveland and OKC didn't trade a star, they lost a star for nothing, and with Cleveland about 6 other players left with LeBron. We got back assets for our star, so it's quite a different situation than those two. Far closer to Cleveland trading Kyrie while still having Lebron, Love and Thompson (Griffin, DJ, Austin ) than losing LeBron or Durant for no return. The Shaq trade is more comparable though they lost basically their whole roster too since it was the old ring chasers roster.

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Odds wise, if no teams star goes down in the playoffs, you usually need be top 3 in the conference to get to the WCF with some few exceptions. For the finals, usually top 2, that's just the reality. If not, the chances are very low.

So I don't expect this team to be top 3 with so much change and a lot of unknown, therefore without someone else having significant injury I'm not expecting WCF. Second round is possible. Last year an injured team went to 7 games in first round, so a competitive first round would be the expectation for me, at the least 6 or 7 games, and hopefully a win, anything less is not good enough. That's season one, the next season then, to at least match the previous teams the two years they were healthy, they need to at least go to 6 or 7 games in the 2nd round. Going to the 2nd round and losing in 4 or 5 unless it is against GS is not acceptable. Third season, were looking at WCF and championship expectations as long as Blake is in his prime.

The weakest link on the 1st/2nd teams, now the we finally got rid of Jamal, is Austin. He'll have to improve by a ton just to be considered an average player at his respective positions. Good luck with that.

My bad. Double-post.

I can't agree with that, Tense...

Even on paper, our team is weak compared to the W/C powerhouses... especially in the backcourt.

Patrick Beverly can't stop Russ and PG, or the combination of CP3 and Harden.. or Curry and Klay.

Seems like everybody is overrating Gallo as a difference-maker.

I bet you fifty bucks he won't be... (I guess we'd have to come to terms about what a "difference" he'd be... he'll be better than what we've had)

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Page... I take issue with this...

DJ is widely known as being an excellent defender. Pretty much the only time he looks stupid is because he's only covering for a teammate's f*ck-up.

He used to be fiend for getting his block numbers... but he has grown up in that respect.

Just doesn't sound like a fair comment to me, man.

Peace, brother!

Wasn't trying to compare our team on paper to the W/C powerhouses. I was comparing this years team to last years. And on paper only, we are a better OVERALL balanced 10 (1st/2nd units) then last year.

And yes Gallo is a bit overrated and wasn't my first choice, but he's more productive at the SF spot then what we had in Luc. The guy I like is the backup....Decker.

As much as I liked Chris, he couldn't consistently stop those combinations either.

Anyway mate, we'll soon see how things end up. Being Captain Obvious.....heath IS the key.

I agree about Decker... he's one of those "bang for buck" guys we love.

Still... I'm curious... what was the over you bet? ...45?

Our roster is so balanced though. We look like a San Antonio squad on paper, and I think we'll have a San Antonio type of year -- highly productive, not sexy, no egos, low drama, surprisingly good in regular season and playoffs.

Players like CP, LeBron, Harden, Westbrook -- these guys basically own their franchises. Even the coaches are afraid of them, cuz if they want you gone, you're gone. This team has no egos and plenty of talent. The ball is going to be swinging, and we'll see what it's like when teammates actually like each other again.

Small aside -- Westbrook and PG, both one year left, both want to be in LA, both want to be the guy and throw hissie fits when they're not, can't foresee that working. CP and Harden, short, stubby, not athletic, incredibly whiney, getting older, absolutely must succeed or CP will leave, neither very effective off the ball, they're gonna struggle hard. I literally can't think of a worse pairing for Harden. SAS is done, it's finally gonna happen. Their talent is depleted, Tony Parker's injury might be career ending, their 2nd best player is a has-been and publicly asked for a trade, moreover no one wants to trade for him. It's Kawhi and a group of mediocre, once pretty good old guys, I really think it's over. I like our chances, personally.

no worries cleepers. Nothing wrong with disagreement. We definitely are not on the same page on DJ, but its only smug responses that result in heated response. Known you a long time and when you don't like a comment, you've always responded tactfully.

Got it in early at +43.

Yes there's Decker and then there's Harrell and Reed (both steals and above average players) at great value for the $. Plus Williams for the $ is a big step up in overall production then what got out of the hugely overpaid/overrated/over the hill Jamal Crawford, lol.

BTW, it's great to see you posting a bit more on the site lately. Your insight, cheeky remarks and humor have been missed....at least by me, lol.

Cheers, Tense.

Been really busy, but I hope to be around a bit more once the season starts. Should be an interesting one, but I can't help but be reminded of the old MAD TV dating service skit, "Lowered Expectations".

Double-post.

Deleted.

Yea cuz the guy who breaks his hand during season punching an equipment manager and dating a kardashian is definitely low drama/ego type of guy.

Lol...

I know, I can't wait for the season to start either. It's going to be great.

Personally, I see being egotistical and dramatic as personality traits. Someone that thinks they are innately better than others, demands recognition, chastises failure--that's not Blake. What you're describing is a young millionaire going through the maturation process.

Ego or not Blake is DYSFUCTIONAL. Ego is bad only if your mouth is greater than your skills. "I am the greatest of all time" Muhammad Ali. He wasn't but he earned the right to say it. A 25 year old Sonny Liston would have knocked him back to Louisville he was at minimum 36 when he took a flop with Ali. Some say he was older than that. AUstin is egotistical.

Well, I am all about the team. I was critical of Paul for some behaviors and tendencies, and I will be so with Blake as well. He has this year, and this year only. One player does not make a team, Paul is replaceable, Griffin is replaceable, Jordan is replaceable...its about the city and team, not players

Speaking of depth, I love it in the current situation. Depth is a building block. Yes, you don't win championships on depth without star power or without top strength, but it's a pathway. The Pau Gasol Grizzlies were 10 man deep and well coached, but come playoff time couldn't win games. Why? Well the other teams stars and starters are now playing close to 40 mpg or more, so if your top 5 is weaker and your depth is now playing against starters, well that advantage is mostly gone.

Clippers need to develop their depth, but like all teams trying to take it to the next level, the depth will likely need to be traded for greater talent.

Ideally a team only needs 3 good depth pieces, a ball handler/playmaker, a wing and big. After that you just need serviceable guys which you can usually always find (young players, etc). Life isn't ideal though, so what you need in depth depends on the versatility of your starters and team as a whole. If you have a team that basically needs to be 10 deep because everyone can only play one position well (both ends), then that's not good (previous Clippers because small wings and no capable two position SG/SF or PF/C).

There are exceptions to the rule.....03/04 Detroit Pistons say hello.

http://www.boxscoregeeks.com/teams/det/2003

And now we have those capable guys at the SG/SF and PF/C positions.

I actually think we are more like the 10-11 Dallas Mavericks. A scrappy defensive team with some very good and balanced pieces and a clear star but the rest are role players. And our star is not exactly a very good defensive player, but there is a defensive anchor in Deandre (just like Tyson). We have a good mix of veterans and youngsters, we just need to see how our shooters can perform. That mavericks team shot very well from 3

If only we had a Jason Kidd type player that might be a close match. Could that end up being Milos??...one can only hope, lol.

There's a reason you called them an exception . 4 All-Star level starters. Chauncey, Rip and Ben all played 38-40 mpg in the post-season and Sheed and Tay played 35 mpg. The highest mpg off the bench was Corliss at 15 mpg. Mike James and Lindsey were bulls on defense with pressure and such, but that team won based on being very top heavy and with an elite defense.

This Clippers team doesn't have the personnel for elite defense like that, in fact, I'm skeptical that they can even play average to above average defense next season. We still don't have any SG/SF's on the team. SG's are all small can't move up to SF and the SF's are SF/PF's and can't move up to SG. Those 6'6 - 6'7 versatile two-way wing type players continue to elude us.

I'd agree with clipperboy24 that Dallas is a better comparison, but Blake would need to go to a different level to match Dirk's offensive dominance that playoffs. In the WC matchups he averaged 28 ppg on 52/52/93, and he's a go to guy in the clutch, differing from the majority of bigs in that aspect, and Blake is nowhere close to that level of late game scoring. There's also no Kidd or Marion on this team, and it's certainly not "no defense" Milos that's going to emulate Kidd and his rebounding and leadership and versatility on defense. Of course, the path is also quite different as there was no GS like juggernaut that season and their WCF matchup was lead by 21 and 22 year olds.

Hmmmm...as I said IF only Milos could turn into Kidd, lol. Maybe??

http://www.boxscoregeeks.com/teams/dal/2010

Good to see you post CB24. I like the comparison to the 10-11 Mavericks team. This would be a complete dream if it were to result in a similar outcome. One benefit we have is that like that Mavericks team, the NBA world was focused on two other powerhouses (Miami and the Lakers). This could relieve some pressure, and hopefully we can see this team accomplish more than the "experts" predict.

Haha, definitely not a bet I would make. He could give a Steve Nash type production though.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/euro/players/milos-teodosic-1.html

That wouldn't be a bad consolation prize, especially if he could shoot like Nash, lol.

Well, at least he'll have the fans (including myself) behind him from day one.

By far the most interesting/exciting addition to the team.

I wouldn't be complaining. If he gives Nash type production, then we can be shooting for a 60 win season with decent health. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting that, but it would be quite fun wouldn't it?