Usually, this is a pretty dead time of the year for me, basketball-wise, at least. With my mind focused on the pennant races, golf's majors, and tennis' Grand Slams, the NBA offseason sort of shuffles into the background. Do my ears perk up when a trade or a free agent signing actually happens? Sure. I speculate and dramatize just like other sports dorks (of course, I mean that as a term of endearment).
However, what's been transpiring over the last two weeks in the business of swapping logos is ridiculous by all accounts. And most of the controversy has been centered around one unlikely team: the L.A. Clippers. That's right. Not the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Suns, Spurs, Mavericks, or Pistons. I said the Clippers.
The also-rans of Southern California. The unluck-able losers of, well, my lifetime. The team the produced one flash of brilliance every decade or so. The team of that perennial candidate for worst sports owner, Donald Sterling. Those Clippers.
Throughout this process, it seems that almost every move going through the I-5 corridor has been orchestrated as if the Clippers want to get to some kind of nirvana. However, no team can reach the land of milk and Larry O'Brien trophies without an exhausting struggle (ask those second worst-to-first Celtics of this year and last). This exercise usually takes years to complete. The Clippers, though, seem to have expedited the process into a quick seminar, complete with complementary breakfast bar for those participants on the go.
Baron Davis = Birth
Only a handful of hours after the free agency period began, the Clippers made a huge splash by swiping up Golden State's former point guard Baron Davis. The L.A. native was looking to get from under the specter of head coach Don Nelson and did it thanks to a little (wink-wink) help from his neighbors down the highway.
This trade, by many, signified an opportunity for the Clippers to get back to the playoff form they displayed two years ago (which someone might still have to partially explain to me). This would be the dynamic point guard they would need after Sam Cassell declined and was shipped out east. Teamed with Elton Brand, Chris Kaman, Al Thornton, and others, they were seen as a pretty nice threat to the upper echelon of the West...
Elton Brand = Death
...But, oh, how things can change. Brand, who with Corey Maggette, decided to opt out of the their contracts to make room for the Clips to sign a superstar player, looked as guilty as everyone else in co-conspiring to get Davis to L.A. Golden State knew it, and wouldn't stand for it. So, just as anyone with a grudge would do, they didn't get mad. They tried to get even.
The Warriors announced that they would push an offer Brand's way, and that the contract could be up to $20 million more than the Clippers would be able to offer their power forward. It seemed that the cards were laid out for a showdown. So, why is this death for the Clippers?
Due to the fact that in the 10th hour (not quite late enough for the 11th), Philadelphia decided to join the party and max out all of their efforts to get Brand. The money turned out to be the least overall of the three teams, but the 76ers made their "max effort" play first, with Brand taking the bait.
Now, the 20-10 machine is out East, which means the Warriors job was ultimately done, right? Think again.
Corey Maggette = Karma
Golden State wasn't done tormenting their fellow doormats. While the Clippers were reorganizing after the loss of Brand, the Warriors got in line to talk with the other "conspirator" in the whole mess. The rumor was that L.A. was going to let Maggette go anyway and keep a core team like the one mentioned earlier.
But the Oakland-based franchise was trying to bounce back themselves after losing Davis and swingman Mickael Pietrus (who signed with Orlando). This seemed like the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Maggette led the Clippers in scoring last season and still has the athleticism to run in Nelson's high-octane offense.
For the Warriors, this must have felt like a bit of redemption for past offenses. For the Clippers, just another punch to the gut to go with the low blow they received only a round beforehand.
Marcus Camby and Andre Iguodala = Reincarnation?
By this point, an organization such as the Clippers would likely fold up their tent and try to heal from the inside, only substantiating their lackluster history in these situations. But 2008 is a different story, and Donald Sterling is showing his fortitude, battle scars and all.
The Clippers have already made moves by trading a possible second-round pick in 2010 to Denver for center Marcus Camby. His defensive and rebounding presence could help take some pressure off of Kaman, while partially replacing Brand.
Now comes word that L.A. might make an offer to 76ers small forward Andre Iguodala. The new A.I. can be a penetrating force that could pair up with Davis' jump shooting and driving abilities to make a potent 1-2 combo from the perimeter. Some may say the Clips are blowing smoke and appearing to take tit for tat. Personally, this move could be the start of a possible reinvention not only as a team, but as a culture.
However, this is the Clippers we're talking about. They have had one flash of brilliance this decade. Now they want back into the mix? Does anyone know if reincarnation ever takes the express lane?
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