Los Angeles Clippers general manager Neil Olshey is doing a heck of a job. Not only has he assisted the Clippers in landing two of the best point guards in the NBA from different generations, but he has surrounded Blake Griffin with the types of players that will make the Clippers very successful in the near future.
Former Denver Nugget Kenyon Martin is officially a Clipper and now the streaky shooting of J.R. Smith, a former teammate of Martin and Chauncey Billups, is on the Clippers radar.
Los Angeles Clippers tickets used to be a joke. If you had Clippers tickets it was always about who they were playing, not actually going to see them play.
Clippers team-owner Donald Sterling with the needed assistance of Olshey has finally acquired a group of guys that want to be on this team and want to win. To be the first to do something is a special thing and to play for the Clippers and possibly get the franchises first championship would truly make this a distinguished group of players.
Especially after losing Billups, a Finals MVP and coach on the floor for head coach Vinny Del Negro.
The drama is getting better everyday and if the Clippers can get Smith, there are many that wouldn't hesitate to pencil them in for the NBA Finals. But with the injury to Billups, Oklahoma City still looming and the drawn out possibility of the Los Angeles Lakers making a blockbuster deal, the Clippers look good with slim chances.
Smith could be a game-changer for the Clippers or a total disaster. He carries himself as if he's in range to shoot once he crosses half court and, in reality, his range is probably anywhere within 28 feet.
Smith also brings a scoring ability that would only compliment the nickname "Lob City." Not only is he a high-volume three-point shooter, he can jump with the league's best and usually has an array of highlight dunks that find their way onto ESPN's SportsCenter.
Smith has a leaping ability that would see him catching his fair share of lobs in the city. With the absence of Billups, he would help the Clippers tremendously and give the team a valid starting two-guard.
Randy Foye can score, but isn't necessarily a starter in the NBA and as good as Mo Williams is, his stature just won't allow him to start at the opposite guard spot to Chris Paul.
After dropping a game 92-99 to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, that they should have won with ease, the Clippers were put on the hot seat by Del Negro.
The season-ending Achilles injury to Billups doesn't validate losses to the league's bottom-tier teams and Del Negro was right in calling his group out.
Whether or not Smith becomes a Clipper remains to be seen.
If the Clippers can keep their intensity and focus is just another story within this new soap opera in Los Angeles that doesn't have anything to do with that other team in the city.
Blake Griffin Chris Bosh Mario Chalmers Dwayne Wade Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside
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