LA Clippers: Key observations from L.A.’s open practice

The LA Clippers hosted on open practice and scrimmage on Saturday, so we were there to check out the team and see how they’re coming together as the 2016-17 season approaches.

On Saturday, the LA Clippers opened their doors for the last day of training camp. They invited the fans to come and watch the team scrimmage, and get a sneak peek at what the team will look like this upcoming season. Fans started arriving at the beautiful UC Irvine campus more than two hours before the event started, lining up in the sun, hoping to be the first through the doors. The Bren Center opened up, and fans ran to snag the best seats in the intimate arena.

My wife and I took a more casual approach to finding seats, and had to “settle” for a pair in the third row behind the backboard. As we sat down, we looked up to realize that the entire Clipper team was already on the floor, putting up shots and joking with each other.

It felt incredibly personal. The players were looking into the stands, waving, and smiling back at awestruck young fans that have never seen these giants up close.

The Drills

First up were the drills. Once everyone had found a seat, the voice of the Clippers, the one and only Ralph Lawler, came out to get the crowd hyped. He talked about the excitement and optimism he felt around the organization during training camp. He then introduced Doc Rivers. Doc addressed the crowd with a noticeably hoarse voice, and told us what we were all in for.

A few drills, a team scrimmage, and a little playful rookie teasing.

At the end of the practice, rookies Brice Johnson and Diamond Stone would have to introduce everyone on the team by name, including the coaches, and any mistakes would result in the crowd getting to decide their punishment. Our fingers were crossed.

More from Clippers News

• Grade the trade: Clippers shockingly land Trae Young in wild proposal
• 3 of the most overpaid players on the LA Clippers’ roster
• How will the LA Clippers fare in the in-season tournament?
• Why the LA Clippers should steer clear of recent gold medalist waiver
• LA Clippers 2023-24 full 82-game schedule

The team launched into action. They started with a 5-on-0 drill, running a few basic offensive sets against an invisible defense. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute seems to have the starting small forward job almost locked up. He was running with the rest of the starters during the opening drills and the team scrimmage. The team then ran a few fast break 3-3, and 2-1 drills.

It was great to see our guys playing again, and a few things jumped out at me during the drills.

Blake Griffin looks healthy. During a 2-1 fast break drill, rookie Brice Johnson tried to dunk on Griffin. Griffin was having none of it, and emphatically blocked his shot.

Wesley Johnson was being very aggressive on offense. He was looking for his shot, and was hitting most of them.

Diamond Stone surprised me with his soft touch around the rim. He also had a few impressive rebounds with DeAndre Jordan all over his back.

Raymond Felton seems to be in good shape and moving well.

Next up, what we learned from the full team scrimmage.