Re: The PG position.
McInnis sucks. I couldn't be happier that he's not coming back. He can't distribute the rock, and can't play defense. He can't run a break, and gets to caught up in going one on one with his man. He'd be a decent backup PG cuz of his ability to hit the mid range jumper, but his ego won't allow that. Let him go and say good riddance.
I say let the current players, with the addition of Marko Jaric, get their crack at the spot. We have a lottery pick from 2 years ago, who hasn't gotten on the floor much cuz of injuries and his rookie experience, but he's had 2 years of watching NBA basketball. Give him the chance to show his stuff. Then of course, Jaric. Some experts are saying he'd be a high lotto pick in this years draft if he were in it. That means he could be right up there with Jason Williams, AND, his style is more of what this team needs(pass first). Why just toss him aside to take Williams? And of course there's Odom.
IMO, let the current guys get their shot at winning the job. The Clippers are not winning a title this year. I watch every game and and going to watch every game wanting a win, but I know in reality the team is not a title contender. So, I think we should just let the young guys play and develop and see just what we have on the team already.
If, after this year, the PG spot is still unsettled, take a crack at the FA's - Davis or Miller might not get dealt this year, but are FA's next year. Work a Sign and Trade with one of them. Or, look at the draft. Chris Duhon and TJ Ford are pass first PG's, which is a better fit than any PG in this years draft. If it comes down to that, look at one of them.
The Bottom Line IMO is just let the current players at PG battle it out this year and see what they can do.
Re: Which young talent is expendable.
IMO, the players the Clippers absolutely HAVE To keep are Lamar Odom Elton Brand. As long as these two are on the team, this team will be a playoff contender.
LO is the ONLY player on this team that is potentially the franchise caliber player that can carry a team to the title. Nobody else has that type of talent. Elton Brand just isn't physicall gifted enough. Darius Miles probably won't ever develop that tremendous feel for the game and naturalness that Odom has. Q and Maggette and Olowokandi aren't good enough. This is the reason I say we need to keep LO this year and not move him. If he has more problems or doesn't play like he did before this past year, then look to move him. But I think we have to give him the chance to prove himself again cuz if this team wants to win a title, he has the ability to lead them there.
And while Elton isn't a franchise player, he's a fantastic secondary/complementary player, especially to Odom. He's that consistent, hard working low post player that is going to give you a double double every night. His low post ability complements Odom's perimeter/slashing style.
Now, some might ask about DMiles. I fully expect him to be in the same class with LO and Brand in terms of being a key player. I think Brand, LO, and Miles are the 3 players that can lead this team to a title. But, right now, he isn't at that level. Thats just my own expectations of him, so I don't want to throw him in that group just yet.
And some may ask about Olowokandi. He is a guy that I do think is expendable. Kandi did improve this past season, and I couldnt be happier. But, he isn't worth anywhere near the MAX, and that is the type of contract he is going to command. He isn't good enough to get that type of money, and with guys like LO, Brand, and Miles, I would preferably not pay this guy that money. I don't want the team to get in a Vin Baker type situation where they pay a solid big man huge money and get tied down cuz of it, but they can't take the team to the next level. If Kandi could be had at a reasonable price, it'd be great to keep him around. But, he won't. He's a C, in a C starved league, and he's going to get paid. Thats why I say let him walk after next year(re-sign him for this year to allow for time to develop someone else).
Of the other guys: Q, Maggette, and Dooling, I think Maggette is the most expendable.
For starters, he's a FA at the same time LO and Brand are. We have excellent depth on the wing, so there's no need to re-sign him and make it 3 huge paydays at the same time. He's going to get money somewhere cuz he's a hard worker and athletic. Somebody will pay him. But, with LO and Miles and Q, and then Doolings ability to play the 2guard spot, and Jaric's ability to play the 3 spot(he's 6'7/8), we don't need Maggette.
Q is already better than Maggette, AND, is on his rookie contract for a couple more years. And, he's good friends with Q so he has that advantage as well. I think Maggette is the odd man out on this team, cuz of the position he plays, when he's up for FA, and to a lesser extent, his relationship with others(moreso when compared with Q, and Q has that closeness with DMiles - And Miles will probably be one of those key players).
If Im picking who to build around, Im building around LO, DMiles, and Brand. Maggette and Kandi are expendable IMO.
Re: the Draft.
At 8, I want Nene Hilario. He 's 6'10 in barefeet and 260lbs as a 19 year old. He's big enough now, and is only going to get bigger. IMO, he could be that replacement for Kandi when Kandi leaves AFTER next year(in my scenario). He has 2 years of experience overseas. He has a fantastic work ehtic and drive, and by that time, he'll have 2 summers to workout, and 1 year of playing experience. I think he'd be ready to play by then.
At 12, I'd like to see Tskitishvilli taken. Talent wise, there is no way in hell he'll be here. But, he hasn't played much overseas, so there's no way he's ready to play in the NBA. He's going to need another year or two overseas. Because of that, some teams will shy away, and that wll make him fall. If he's here, take him. We don't need him right now, but his potential down the road is huge, and we are one of the copule teams that can wait on him. If he's gone, I'd look at Marcus Haislip, Amare Stoudemire, or even Bostjan Nachbar cuz of his shooting ability.
Don't trade the picks. Keep them. Don't trade Odom. Keep him. The only player I'd be fine with moving right now is Maggette, so that'd be alright, but keep everyone else and let the team develop.
Geez, that was long. Thank you and goodnight
