The Clipperholics group gets together to discuss a number of LA Clippers-related questions, including whether or not the team has surpassed expectations.
The LA Clippers have gone through some ups and downs in a stacked Western Conference, and with summer offseason signees like Avery Bradley becoming available for trade on December 15, we decided to gather some of the Clipperholics crew in Slack to discuss what the Clippers need to do this season to stay on track.
We also discuss who may be the odd man out as the Clippers search for a versatile big, as well as what we think about Steve Ballmer and Jerry West’s company’s dogged pursuit of Kawhi Leonard. Clipperholics contributor Logan Rapp moderates and occasionally trolls the discussion.
RAPP: Alright, who’s here for this one?
BRIAN CULLEN: Here.
GARRETT CHORPENNING: Yep!
RICK DEVINE: Here.
RAPP: Since this is the first chat we’re doing, we’ll ease in with a general prompt: It’s December 14, we’re 28 games into the season, and we’re 17-11. How has this season fared with your pre-season predictions?
DEVINE: Exceeding them. I honestly thought we would be above .500 and in playoff contention, but not this high up in the standings. Sure, we’ve had a slip recently, but I think that’s more due to fatigue rather than not having the ability to continue at this high level of play.
JOSEPH RAYA-WARD: I was pretty much convinced the team was going to stumble out of the gate and maybe tank. So I’d say they have gone far and away above my expectations.
CULLEN: I feel like it’s gone above expectations. We’ve seen what a ceiling could look like for this team. Playoffs seem like the biggest goal we can set and we’re still in position for it. But overall, I feel like this season is an audition more than anything else. They have big aspirations in the offseason. Showing glimpses of great execution is all they really need to do.
CHORPENNING: Personally, I’d say above as well. I figured this would be a good unit, especially if it could remain healthy, after what we saw from it last season. 17-11 is still an excellent place to be this far into the season, even with the recent performances.
CULLEN: Free agents just need to see something that makes them say to themselves, “If I were on that team we could be great, and they’re deep enough that I would feel ready for a long playoff run.” I think the team is doing just that.
RAPP: To follow up, Brian: We got completely blown up by a Kawhi-less Raptors team (so did the Warriors, and the Raptors were on a SEGABABA for that one), does that damage the “audition” part of things, particularly with acquiring Kawhi?
CULLEN: Not necessarily. The Raptors are an amazing team. Getting kicked in the teeth by them isn’t the worst thing that can happen. I think a lot of Kawhi’s decision, in particular, will be somewhat of a personal move. He’s from SoCal. He’s got rings, a Finals MVP award, a DPOY award… it’s time to come home.
RAYA-WARD: If I can step on that, Logan: I don’t think that type of stuff will be a big deal when it comes down to a decision. I think we, as fans and commentators, like to hype up stuff like that. But, I highly doubt that would influence Kawhi’s decision.
DEVINE: I don’t think so either. We are one of, if not the, deepest teams in the NBA. The Raptors are just the best team in the NBA right now and like I said, we’re tired. All-Stars will want to come play here because they know this squad can put them over the edge and win.
CHORPENNING: I’m in the same boat as Joseph. Those things are all well and good, but it’s going to come down to far more than wins and losses when you’re trying to influence a star to join your team.
DEVINE: Like the weather.
CHORPENNING: Is chilly in Toronto.
RAYA-WARD: Right. I think if the Clippers get a meeting, their plan for utilizing Kawhi, and the culture we’ve built will be what it comes down to. He’s from LA… people forget that.
CULLEN: Some of these losses are due to fatigue sure, but some of it is the lack of a true superstar. Tobias Harris is great, and will hopefully get better, but he’s not a superstar. I think talents like Kawhi or Kevin Durant see some of these losses and think, “Wouldn’t happen if I was there.” You combine that with some of the impressive wins this team has already pulled out and that makes LA a nice looking destination. The ownership and front office have a lot to offer.
RAPP: Okay, let’s talk about acquisitions. It’s getting picked up by Cavaliers sites that Cedi Osman is a player of interest to the Clippers right now. What do we need to do in terms of trades/acquisitions this season?
RAYA-WARD: We desperately need someone to play the five who can defend. We are getting shredded inside every night.
CHORPENNING: That’s the first I’ve heard about Cedi, but I’m happy to hear it. I’m a big fan of his and I think he’d be a solid addition to the team. But besides that, the Clippers need to focus on bigs, specifically ones that can rebound. We have plenty of depth elsewhere. Trading off Avery Bradley, I think, would be an excellent start. If you can get a decent backup big for him, say someone like Taj Gibson for example, that’d be a good start. I don’t know enough about his situation to know if that’s even possible or if it would be a good fit, but you get my point. Start with Bradley.
CULLEN: Look for a cheap rebounder. We have plenty of guards. Turnovers have been a problem, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will develop into a point guard that can take better care of the ball. He’s already a defensive-minded player, so that helps him know what to guard the ball from. But the rebounding and rim protection is a problem. I love Trezz off the bench, but he’s what, 6’8″?
DEVINE: I’d like to see us give Johnathan Motley some minutes who’s down playing for the Agua Caliente Clippers right now. Just a few minutes for Christmas, Doc?
RAPP: Our sister Cavs site, King James Gospel, is not pleased with the rumor about Cedi, by the way.
CHORPENNING: From what they’re saying, I completely understand why they’d want to hang onto him. But also, give me please. Also, I’m with Rick on bringing up Johnathan Motley. Dude can really play, and he’s been tearing it up with Agua Caliente. He’s 6’10” with a 7’4″ wingspan, and he’s posting roughly 26 points and 11 rebounds per game this season.
RAPP: Well, we’ve mentioned Avery Bradley twice, and I think we all knew we were going to be talking about him here sooner or later, so let’s do it as a split question: What value does Bradley have for this Clippers team, and what value could he have in a trade at this point in the season?
DEVINE: He’s frustrating. Because I know he wants to be good for us. But he’s so “old school” basketball. His full court defense is great. But sometimes it leaves him getting beat. Plus we all know how his offense has been going… I wonder if he honestly has any value? What team needs a full court defender who’s shot won’t drop anymore?
CHORPENNING: Bradley’s value is almost strictly defense, and we’re lucky that he is so good at it. But at the same time, because he’s such a streaky asset offensively, you almost wonder if he does more harm than good at times. I think at this point in the season, he’d be very helpful for a team that scores just fine, but is looking to bolster their backcourt D. I remember reading something last season that Oklahoma City was interested in him around the trade deadline, so I’d have to wonder if they’re still a potential partner.
CULLEN: He has flashes of the being the defender he’s known to be, and his reputation makes perimeter shooters think twice at times. Trade value-wise is a little unclear for me. I think only a team looking to really add just one more defending option in the playoffs want him. I’m not sure if it helps or hurts that his contract is only partially guaranteed next year.
RAYA-WARD: I would like to punt Avery Bradley to the moon. His shot selection is horrific. Those two games where he was ok offensively was probably the worst thing to happen.
DEVINE: I’d rather him be taking the shot late in the clock or must score possessions rather than when Patrick Beverley launches one from three. I love him, but that’s not the shot I want.
RAPP: To circle back on what Joseph said about needing a defensive five, let’s say we get one. Which, if any, of our big men goes?
CHORPENNING: I’d hate to see Marcin Gortat go, just because he does so much for the offense, but I feel like he’d be the one. He’s proven to be a solid guy, and his expiring contract has to be a positive for a lot of teams looking to make a splash in free agency next summer.
CULLEN: Honestly, I think Gortat is the odd man out. Montrezl Harrell brings too much energy and is a MIP candidate. Boban Marjanovic is great for business and is a great culture guy. I don’t see Gortat sticking around past this season either way.
CHORPENNING: I second that, Brian. I like him, but I don’t see the Clippers bringing him back after this year either.
DEVINE: I’m picking Gortat as well. I don’t think he meshes with what we are trying to do. Or rather, the team we are trying to become. Also, I third that. He was always a rental.
RAPP: Gortat seems like the professional you bring in to keep it together until the real guy comes along.
CULLEN: Gortat has value. He’s a great screen-setter. Hits his free throws at a decent clip. He’s the 5 in the teams most effective lineup. But a defensive center is an upgrade no doubt.
DEVINE: As I said, I’d like to see Motley get some minutes.
THOMAS FENN: As much as I want to see Motley too, it took four injuries to our starters to get Doc to give minutes to Sindarius Thornwell last year.
RAYA-WARD: Do we honestly want to give Boban more minutes? I think Motley is probably the smartest move.
CHORPENNING: That’s a very legit question Joseph, and I’m with you. He’s great, don’t get me wrong, and I think it’s best that he starts in certain situations. But he gets gassed quickly and has a hard time keeping up with a lot of modern 5’s. I’ve always seen him as a situational big, and that isn’t a slant.
CULLEN: Only in certain match-ups, Joseph. He got the Clippers back into the last Grizzlies game, but was then pulled. He should’ve been given more of a chance in that one.
FENN: Doc needs to roll with momentum guys when they’re on I agree. Tyrone Wallace and Boban get pulled early and don’t get to see the floor past their 5-6 good minutes some games. As much as Doc wants to see some more Bradley midrange jumpers, he’s got to give in.
CULLEN: If Avery is traded I really hope we see Ty pick up more minutes. Dude was so good last year, but with his limited, inconsistent time this year I don’t think he’s had a chance to find his rhythm.
DEVINE: Ty needs to work on his 3 ball, but as Ralph always says, “He could be a real special player.”
FENN: What team would willingly take Bradley at this point? Unless we give up a second rounder.
RAPP: One team I would consider on that front is the Suns.
CHORPENNING: Let’s say we send Milos Teodosic and Bradley to Phoenix, Logan. What kind of return do you see there?
RAPP: The obvious play would be for Trevor Ariza, but I don’t think we get out of there without a pick.
DEVINE: I honestly thought we might do a Bradley deal for Ariza, until it was reported that it was pretty much a done deal for the guys across the hall. I heard that on the Ringer’s NBA show.
CULLEN: Phoenix wants youth. Our guards we want to trade aren’t great shooters and way off their timeline.
CHORPENNING: I was really interested in T.J. Warren last season, but with the way he’s shooting the three-ball this year, there’s no way we’d be able to nab him without a first-rounder involved.
CULLEN: Giving up picks would be a disaster. Clips aren’t guaranteed any of these free agents, throwing away future assets before we get at least one star could come back to bite us so hard. Look at how long Brooklyn felt the effects of doing that..
RAYA-WARD: To be honest, I don’t think the team does anything that doesn’t shed money. The goal is keeping everything open for next year.
RAPP: Okay, as we start wrapping up, let’s do a fun one: With the way the Clippers are following Kawhi around, are we a) a stalker, b) a drug dealer, or c) the mob?
RAYA-WARD: I’m gonna have to go with a) because we technically aren’t allowed to talk to him yet. This feels like an “Every Breath You Take” kinda situation.
CULLEN: We’re the Jim Halpert to Toronto’s Pam Beesly. Nice-guy friend that’s eyeing that opening.
DEVINE: Oh, easy. We’re the stalker. We’re the kid in class who thinks that by hanging out with this certain kid will improve our popularity. So we followed him on everything and learned what he liked and doesn’t like (Bruce Bowen) and if we get him to like us, we get the whole class. We even think his laugh is cool!
RAPP: I’m of the mob thinking: “That’s a nice Kawhi you’ve got there, Toronto. Be a shame if something were to happen to him.”
DEVINE: Drake wakes up with the mascot’s head in his bed. Don’t mess with The Logo.
CULLEN: In about a month Jerry West will be DM’ing Kawhi photos of him shoveling sunshine out of his driveway in LA.
RAYA-WARD: Anyone else think that Drake would be a reason Kawhi wouldn’t stay in Toronto? Also, how hard is Drake trying to get Kawhi to be his friend? Drake is gonna be this year’s Mark Cuban driving around the Clippers’ meeting with Kawhi.
CULLEN: Drake is too punishing and flashy for Kawhi. Dude drove his high school suburban for YEARS, even after getting paid, because “it still runs”.
RAPP: Jimmy Brooks does not appreciate your slander, Joseph.
CHORPENNING: I wish the the whole world knew that Drake used to just be Jimmy from Degrassi. And before that, he was Aubrey.
RAPP: All right, last one: with our 17-11 record, we’re currently on track for a 51-win season. Are you taking the over, the under, or dead on?
RAYA-WARD: Under! I think we more or less go .500 the rest of the way.
CULLEN: Under. Slumps, growing pains, injuries. All too much to account for. If we’re 46 I’d be happy.
DEVINE: Under, but only by a few. Call me an optimist, but I like this team. I think we end up right in the middle of the playoff pack. 4 or 5 seed.
CHORPENNING: I’m going to be bold and take the over. I think the Clippers team that we saw for the first 20-ish games was more the real team than the one we’ve seen for the last 6 or 7, and I’m hopeful that we make a trade at some point that solidifies them as a top-four seed.
DEVINE: There’s the Garrett that praises Wes Johnson that I admire. Let’s go Clippers!
CHORPENNING: I’ll never forget him.
RAPP: (insert obligatory Harden/Johnson murder GIF here)
DEVINE: He’s icing his ankles somewhere thinking of you.
That’s all for this week’s edition of Slack Chat. Be sure to check back every other Friday for more from our writers!