Mecca

The Clippers held their press conference announcing the signing of Cuttino Mobley on Wednesday afternoon. It was a love fest all around, but some interesting tidbits emerged yesterday. Here are the five most important things Clipper fans should know (with contributions from Eric Pincus):

1) The Clippers have had their eye on Cuttino for quite some time, though Coach Mike Dunleavy made it clear that there was no recruiting of the sharp shooting guard until he officially became a free agent. Apparently, it all started for Mobley, after a game the Clippers played against the Sacramento Kings when he mentioned to Coach Dunleavy how much he liked center, Chris Kaman. Dunleavy responded that the Clippers really liked Cuttino Mobley, as well. According to Mobley, once the free agency period started, it was a no-brainer to join the Clippers. This is great news, because Mobley appears to be a guy who’s really excited about joining the team and should be a great locker room presence.

2) There’s a good chance that the Clippers will resign Marko Jaric. Jaric’s agent, Bill Duffy, has been feverishly trying to work out a sign and trade, so Jaric can get the full midlevel, but what other teams have been offering the Clippers hasn’t been to their liking. Though, Duffy is still protesting the resigning, according to Clipper GM, Elgin Baylor, there’s a strong likelihood that Jaric will be signed to back-up both guard spots, anyway.


3) Zeljko Rebraca signed a three-year, $9-million dollar deal with the first two years guaranteed. This is an important signing for the Clippers because as any Clipper fan knows, Rebraca provided quality minutes for the team, with his high shooting percentage on offense, and his hustling defense. Plus, Rebraca can play back-up at both the center and power forward positions so he gives the Clippers the ability to mix and match line-ups with greater easy.

4) Yaroslav Korolev might be joining the team sooner than expected. The Clippers expected to stash Korolev overseas for a year, but after losing Bobby Simmons to free agency, they’re strongly considering bringing him into the fold this year. Korolev had a so-so showing at the European Junior Championships, but he has a ton of potential. Apparently, Dunleavy said they will make a decision before the end of the month.

5) Dunleavy cryptically mentioned that the Clippers would be signing a small forward by the end of the summer. He was also very specific about the fact that it was small forward (not a 2/3). He did not give any more details than that, but it definitely narrows down the Clippers’ options. Who could this small forward be? Here are some names to think about: Lee Nailon (formerly of New Orleans), Jason Kapono (formerly of the Charlotte Bobcats), Scott Padgett (formerly of the Houston Rockets), Toni Kukoc (formerly of the Milwaukee Bucks), and Gerald Wallace (formerly of the Charlotte Bobcats). Both Jason Kapono and Scott Padgett are excellent outside shooters, which would fill a need for the Clippers. It will be interesting to see who they eventually sign.

__________________
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

Ice-T*Nate Dogg*MC Eiht*Too Short*Warren G. Xzibit*The Pharcyde*Producer: Ant Banks

The West Coast Rappers Who Was Available to Me