Phoenix to acquire Stephon Marbury . . .

[SuperCyrix]

I'm not a Clippers fan, but from what the did after the All-Star break last year, even without Elton Brand they are a team to contend with this year. They stood toe to toe with the Lakers in all 4 games they played last year, and they're far better this year.
They absolutely dominated at home after the all-star break. Losing on the road is alright, it just mean the young players lost their nerve during crunch time. That is less likely to happen this year especially when they start winning and the refs start respecting them more.
Along with Pheonix, the Clippers might have the best 4 combinations of point guard, shooting guard, small foward, and Power Foward. Their two centers are not that bad either.

And back to Pheonix, I think it's way to early to write them off. They'll be a big surprise next year if they're all healthy. With a starting 4 of Marbury, Penny, Gugliotta, and Marion. They might have the most lethal combinations along with the Clippers at those positions. Their lone weakness is of course Center. Even if Gugliotta don't get along with Marbury, I doubt they'll trade him since he was when not injured one of the best at his position.

 

[trmiv]

<< I'm not a Clippers fan, but from what the did after the All-Star break last year, even without Elton Brand they are a team to contend with this year. They stood toe to toe with the Lakers in all 4 games they played last year, and they're far better this year.
They absolutely dominated at home after the all-star break. Losing on the road is alright, it just mean the young players lost their nerve during crunch time. That is less likely to happen this year especially when they start winning and the refs start respecting them more.
Along with Pheonix, the Clippers might have the best 4 combinations of point guard, shooting guard, small foward, and Power Foward. Their two centers are not that bad either. >>



The Clippers have some nice talent, but they are still a few years away from doing anything. They will improve from this past season, but they will still have an even stronger western conference to contend with. I'll say they will finish at or just above .500 this season, and miss the playoffs, or they might sneak in at #8. Remember, the 8th seed in the West last season was 47-35, and I think every team that made the playoffs in the west this past season has improved themselves (with the exception of Phoenix and this Cliff Robinson trade). Plus, Houston--who didn't make the playoffs this past season--will look really good next season, and they got a gem in the draft. We'll see what happens with Webber, if he stays Sac will be very good again next year (especially since they rid themselves of that ass clown Jason Williams). Plus, we still have the entire free agent signing season yet to go, so a lot of teams could get better.

This year will be no differnt in terms of the young players faltering in crunch time. I think the Elton Brand trade was a good one, but his numbers will drop in the West when he has to deal with a ton of good power forwards on a nightly basis, instead of every once and awhile like he did in the east.

Overall with the Clippers long term, the key remains Donald Sterling. Is he willing to spend to keep a talented team together? Who knows. I think even if he does, some of this talent will leave when their contracts are up. There are simply too many contracts expiring at the same time for them to sign all of them, and I'd be willing to be all of them will not sign an extension and will wait till their currents contracts are up and test the free agent waters. Maggette and Odom's contracts are both up in 2004, and Dooling, Miles and Richardson's contracts are up in 2005. It will take a lot to keep all those guys, I don't see it happening.

 

[Adul]

The biggest reason Kidd and Robinson where traded was the trouble they got into here. Jerry dislikes having that kind of element around. For him, the players have to be good models, and a wife beater and whatever robinson did(he ot arrested for something) did not sit well with him.

 

[trmiv]

<< The biggest reason Kidd and Robinson where traded was the trouble they got into here. Jerry dislikes having that kind of element around. For him, the players have to be good models, and a wife beater and whatever robinson did(he ot arrested for something) did not sit well with him. >>



Then we can surmise that Penny &quot;Gunslinger&quot; Hardaway is the next one to go.

 

[XMan]

Then we can surmise that Penny &quot;Gunslinger&quot; Hardaway is the next one to go.

Yup. The rumor is that he's heading to Memphis for Grant Long, Stromile Swift, Isaac Austin, and Michael Dickerson.

 

[Linh]

i feel sorry for the Suns