Is the season already over for the Clippers?

Leave it to the Clippers to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Wasn't it just a few days ago that eyebrows were raised and hopes were lifted upon hearing the news that all-star point guard Baron Davis was going to leave Golden State and star in the Clip Show? Quicker than one could say "a pair of season tickets, please" came the just-as-shocking news that two of the best Clippers were setting sail elsewhere: Elton Brand to the 76ers and Corey Maggette to the Warriors.

How could this happen so quickly? Will Davis live up to his commitment to come to L.A.? Did Brand and Maggette make the right moves by leaving a Clipper team that, if they had stayed, would have been truly competitive with young center Chris Kaman? But the real question is, is it already over for the Clippers before it even started? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

-- Tony Pierce
   
Photo of Corey Maggette and Elton Brand by Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[dilly]

thats what you get clipper fan

[Warrior]

seems like money is making the nba go round along with the world. no more, commitments, moral values or even business ettiquette!

its done and over the devil not only ruined the world he freakn ruined my NBA!

[David]

Well it appears that the Clippers and the 76ers offered equivalent money (80 million), and the Warriors offered Brand 90 million, so it really has nothing to do with the money.

[Ryan]

Its not over yet. The clippers need to do what ever they can to sign Josh Smith. His stats from this year are just as good as Brands, if not they are better. Plus, he would be a fantastic player to complement Davis. Give everything to get Smith and if they cant, go for okafor.

[toad]

This franchise has been completely lost since they screwed Buffalo all those years ago.

Proof positive there is such a thing as karma.

[Randeezy]

Seems like the Clip show can't catch a break. I wonder why Elton left the Clippers to join the Sixers for the same amount of money. Didn't Golden State offer him over 100 mil?

The Sixers will be fun to watch nonetheless. They're already on a come up and adding Brand moves them up to at least a 5th seed in the east.

[eclipse]

Corey Maggette is a Richard Jefferson type (although his perimeter shooting developed late) and aside from his FT he's not that special. I'm kinda glad he's gone, he wasn't a type of a player who could place the team on top. Al Thorton should fill the 15-17 ppg void left by Maggette's absence with consistent playing time.

The Clips finally have a point guard (no more second tier options like B-Knight or Cassell), how about improving on scoring and 3 point shooting?

[jack n]

why play for clippers?...terrible owner and lousy gnl manager(elgin baylor)I think hes still the one??.get what they deserve.

[Will]

It's over for the Clipper and forget commitment its all about money. We see players getting large contracts but in reality how much money do they donate to their communities? I feel very Betrayed as a Clipper fan I guess I might jump the van wagan and become a LAKER fan.

[Dan]

I'm a huge clippers fan. Really, a sucker for this team. But the reality of this news is that the Clippers Front Office is as inept as it was 20 years ago. The same cast of characters are still running the organization: Andy Roeser, a bean counter who was promoted to run the team at age 26. Elgin Baylor, a failed coach for the New Orleans Jazz, who was managing chicken restaurants at the time he was hired as GM. Carl Lahr, the SVP of Sales/Marketing - another 20+ year employee - who was a sales rep for 10 years prior to his current role.

I ask the question: How could the front offivr screw this up? Agreeement from a premier point guard, a deal worth 80 million - and he's still leaving? It sends a huge message about the ineptness of the organization.

[mike]

I think season for Clippers is absolutely over if Baron Davis will be going to be the only star there. Why? because it is pretty sure he (Davis) won't matchup well with his new coach.

[Mike]

Clippers management should be blamed for failure. Why weren't they willing to offer Brand more money? Then why didn't they give Magette a chance just in case Brand was to go elsewhere? At least with Baron Davis and Magette, there would have been a solid enough team to be playoff bound. Now, the Clippers are once again rebuilding around young players like Al Thornton, and Baron Davis and Chris Kaman (a solid nucleaus). While I say that the Clippers are at least one and perhaps two good players away from contention, they really blew a huge opportunity to elevate position in a very tough Western Conference. With teams like Portland, New Orleans, even Golden State with Magette, not to mention all of the other Western conference playoff teams, the Clippers will be in trouble for a while.

[Greg]

Clippers should sign Turiaf to take Brand place

[Jon K.]

Urgh.

I still can't believe the Brand left. What the hell.

[MichaelCage!]

Its a sad day for the Clippers organization, and even a sadder day for Elton Brand. EB had always carefully cultivated his stand-up public persona and presented himself as an all around nice guy; hard working, dedicated, loyal to his teammates, and a quiet leader. In one move, he torched that persona and destroyed whatever integrity he had, not only as a basketball player, but as a man.

He could have been honest with the Clippers and made his intentions clear; that he wanted out, that he preferred to play in the East, etc and the Clips could have acted accordingly. But he strung the orgnization along, demanding that we get someone like Baron Davis (we did), all the while using the Clippers to drive up the bidding for his services.

This is worse than what Boozer had done to Cleveland. Perhaps Duke University fails to properly instruct its young athletes on the principles of integrity, honesty, and character.

Norman Mailer once wrote that in the Latin world, a man is not defined by who he is every day, but is defined by his best days and his worst. Because it is only in those brightest or darkest moments that he reveals his true self and shows the world who he was truly meant to be.

Elton has not only betrayed his public persona and code of honor, he has betrayed himself. He has betrayed the trust that the Clippers organization and the fans have invested in him--in the belief that he was a stand-up guy, someone with integrity who was true to his word and commitment. He proved himself to be less than Gilbert Arenas, and maybe even Baron Davis in terms of character. In short, he has revealed himself to be nothing more than another greedy NBA player; carefully crafting his public persona for endorsement contracts and looking out for himself above all. I suppose you can't blame a man for that in this day and age. But the hypocrisy that he represents is disturbing. Rarely has an athlete's public persona and true self been so divergent. Rarely has an athlete been able to deceive so many people for so long in our cynical time.

I usually wish former Clippers well on their next team and cheer them from afar. I will not be doing that for Elton.

[C Thomas]

Yes, who wants to win in Clip-ville and still be in Kobe's shadow? Philly is a good fit with lots of young talent.

[terry swann]

They're the Clippers. What did you expect?

[J-rock]

shame on you Elton -- you and your agent Falk are both LIARS -- good riddance and have fun Sixers fans when Elton blows out his ACL next season

[Clip Fan]

The 2:19pm post by Michael Cage says it all. Brand has ruined his reputation and worse, the hope that good, honest, and decent athletes exist in pro sports.

Elton is going to be a father this fall, and as a father, he might want to begin thinking about the consequences his actions will have on his children. Lying, being deceptive, and untrustworthy is not being much of a role model, or a man, if you ask me.

[chris]

So tell me how what Brand did is so different from what BD did? BD said that he would come back the whole season, only to say that he's opting out of his contract. People in the Bay Area don't go about flaming him and saying that he is "no longer a man." BD did what was best for him and we're all happy for him. You LA fans never have any heart or even understanding. It's a down right shame. Love your team for what they're worth and just because a player leaves doesn't mean you should go about and talk smack about him. Be proud that he was once on your team and leave it at that.

And yes, the Clippers' management sucks. Real bad. Maggette could of left, but Brand? How can they not give an arm and a leg to keep a man who's supposed to be their leader, albeit quiet? Clippers would have had a great squad if the management had just acted quicker and more accordingly. But for now, Clipper's are screwed.

[Jose Parra]

I think that BRAND took the easy way out he knows the EAST is weak and it would be easier for him to make it farther in the playoffs. As for the clippers there is still a good Squad...

PG Davis
SG Mobley/Eric Gordon
SF Thornton
PFJosh Smith/Josh Powell if they can get him from the hawks!
C Kaman

Not bad!! and now that they dont have to pay EB and Maggete that much money, they have more money to improve!

[Jason Shaffer]

Who cares! This is a Lakers town, always has been and always will be.

[AW]

Well it just shows that nobody really wants to play for the Clippers. From the Merry Go Round coaches, to the lousy lottery picks, to the losing free agents. They should have locked up Brand way before he even had an option to leave if they were serious.

The NBA players must feel that the Clippers is just a place to get a pay check, until they can go to a team that they really want to play for. Have they ever been able to keep a player for at least 8-10 years.

Clippers are a joke and will continue to be viewed as a 2nd rate franchise.

[Clipper fan for life!!]

Sad to see Brand go, but life goes on. That's his decision to make, Philly in the east becomes and instant contender. Clips need to push hard for J.Smith or Okeafor, The upside is there and they proved they can hang with any 4 in the league!!

[Javier Solis]

Brand should have stayed in LA. Maybe he could have gone to that other Purple and Gold Team across the hallway. This is nothing short of betrayal. DOWN WITH THE PHILADELPHIA! DOWN WITH DETROIT! DOWN WITH BOSTON!

[Ken Johnson]

I have been a Clipper fan for some time now but really feel betrayed by someone I considered a decent and down to earth player in Elton Brand. I balloon was filled up with the news of the arrival of Baron David and suddenly released with the departure of Elton. My brother and I sit right in the front row where the Clipper players come out the tunnel from at Staples and have season tickets. Its just such a shame that such a dream tandem like Elton, Baron and Chris could have been never materialized. At this point I'm very disappointed in Elton and the way he handled this situation. It seems he setup the organization for failure.

[LOL@theclippers]

LOL@theclippers

[eltonsucks]

Elton left LA and so did my appreciation for professional sports. I'm through giving money to the clippers and I'm through endorsing the NBA! It's all just a business to make people rich and whoever thinks otherwise is being taken for a ride.

[Thomas Panlilio]

As a long time Clipper fan, I've definitely learned to be cynical. In fact, for the last 8 years or so I've even come up with a term that completely describes the Clippers' penchant for screwing something up with success so close and attainable, I call it The Clipper Factor.

It can happen in a game, like when a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter is blown. It can happen in a series, like when Raja Bell hit that corner three over Daniel Ewing and the Suns ended up going to the Conference finals. It can even happen to a player, like when Shaun Livingston blew out his knee just as he was starting to put everything together on his way to stardom.

So I can't say that I was surprised when Elton bolted for the Sixers, even thought the one of the two components that we needed to become a contender, an all star point guard (the other being health), was finally here. In fact as a Clipper fan I was resigned to the fact that as soon as he opted out he would not return. But I do have to admit that I was hurt. As a fanatical follower of professional sports, I was always proud of having the opportunity to cheer for one of the few true exhibitors of sportsmanship and professionalism on MY team in a sports world where the absurd and criminal are the norm. To see that facade shatter, and witness that the real man behind Elton Brand is just like everyone else... that is what the most painful part of the latest chapter was in my favorite team's long history of ineptitude and misfortune.

As for the Clippers, it's back to square one, with a young and talented team who is high on potential and low on expectations. And I'll be there, waiting for the next drama of near success and ultimate failure.

[kpl949]

GREED, GREED, GREED.

Donald Sterling is an ass!!!!!!!

All he has ever cared about was his real estate empire and the steading stream of revenue sharing from the NBA.

I am glad he never moveds to Anaheim.

He is slime!

[Chris Hargrove]

Ralph Lawler says the Clipper organization is the best in the league! WHAT?

He shunned the Lakers when they were asking him to replace Chick Hearn saying the Lakers were arrogant, etc.

Sterling is a freak and only cares about the bottom line....MONEY!!!!!!!

EB's agent is also an idiot! He calls EB a franchsie player. WAIT! The franchsie is in the toilet!!!!! Hmmmmmmmm

The Clips should be sold immediately and play with a three-colored ball.

GO LAKERS!!!!!!

[can'thaveitbothways]

ah, now you clip fans want to b* and moan about brand, last week you were cheering boom dizzle for that same maneuver. ha!

[Celtic Fan in L.A.]

Wow this just as shocking as when the Lakers QUIT in Game 6 of the NBA Finals...
ooops sorry Laker Fan and good luck taking out a second mortgage to go to the games next year. Well I take that back considering most of you still live at home anyway...

[DW Palma]

Michael Cage and Thomas Panillo, I couldn't agree with you more. I see all these athletes going around, only in it for the money, but I thought EB was somehow different. We may have had a lot of failures, but he was always the one thing consistently right with the franchise. I had always pegged him as a standup guy, class act, and proof that not all athletes are the same. I think that more than EB opting out of his contract, leaving the team, I was mostly hurt and disappointed to conclude that, at the end of the day they're all the same. It would have been different if he would have said from the jump that he wasn't interested in returning, and that he wanted to be closer to home - whatever - I could have easily respected the man for his honesty. Just like Corey Maggette, who made it be known that he was moving on with his life. The only difference is that I wish Corey Maggette well. I have lost so much respect for Elton Brand as that class act that I had him pegged for, I don't wish him the best or worst, I'm just like whatever. I don't wish him anything. I see him in the same light as Andre Millers, Allen Iversons, and the rest of them. Still, shame on me for not choosing to be ignorant and somehow thinking that he was an exception to expectations of athletes.

It is far too easy to be mad at him for his decisions, but the thing that disgusts me more than anything related to sports are the agents. Nothing but a bunch of money hungry parasites - like leeches latching onto the wallets of promising young athletes so they can get paid. The professionals who perform for and run teams are not the ones ruining sports for joe fan, it's those greedy lice who do nothing but for the best interests of their clients, save for number one. I'm working my way through college, and don't get much spending money, especially with the state budget cuts to education the way they are, but I bought an EB jersey like two months ago. Up until last night it was my prize possession, having only worn it three times. I get mad when I look at it - not at EB, but at myself for letting my guard down. I'm through giving my money to pros, because i know their agents will get a cut of it, and i advise the rest of you sports fans for whatever teams to do the same.

Believe it or not, some positives have come from this. Most notably, Donald Sterling finally seems to have gotten it in his head that you have to spend money to make money. We've still got a pretty solid core of young players, and the coach has lasted going on more than four years. We may still be able to add a pretty solid replacement for EB in Emeka Okeafor (just my preference, but we'll see). All is not yet lost, and even if our team goes 9 and 73, I'll still be a fan of the team (just without a star player's jersey).

[Roger]

Brand left the Clippers for the Sixers because the Sixers have a good young squad in the weak East and so it'll be much easier to get somewhere.

Would of loved to see Baron and Brand together and am a little upset that Brand broke his word, seeing that he has been a loyal person throughout his career, but I can't blame the man. The East is just a smaller ladder to climb.

Corey won't really be missed, he complained too much and will be getting overpaid playing for the Warriors.

[Raj]

even brand join the sixers..he is not going to the finals or second around..i think if he would have stayed with the clipper..this year was chance he would have to win the west..but its not...anyway about the clippers?? I don't think they even going to win 20 games...yeah i am sure they have shot for # 1 pick of draft....clipper are going to be the clipper..they draft so many good players..they play for couple years..and they leave..haha..its funny...i don't have single player...who could be clipper...FORGET ABT THE CLIPPERS FOR NEXT 3 TO 5 YRS..THEY ARE NOT EVENING GOING WIN OVER 25 GAMES...CLIPPERS..YOU GUYS SCREW IT UP....NO ONE GOING TO WATCH U GUYS...SEATS ARE GOING TO BE EMPTY..LIKE ALWAYS....

[Kirbs]

If you hang around a jerk like Falk too long, you become like him. Ciao Elton.

[Pedro]

Amazing: that Brand & Maggette would leave upon the Clips getting the wonderful Davis! How could Clip's management let this happen??? Obviously Davis didn't know it would happen. If Brand or Maggette did, they have no loyalty and Clip fans can abandon the team. Fortunately I'm a Laker fan, - the Lakers having management with a brain. A 12-year old kid could have handled the Davis-Brand Maggette situation better than Clip's management. So sad, such ineptitute is laughable.

[Michael]

Shame on Brand. You can't blame his lack of character on the Clippers organization. What a charlatan! What a betrayal of his teammates and the long suffering loyal Clipper fans!

[willie]

i'm not surprised that so many people are upset, but i've read the statements from both sides and sure they have different versions of what happened. it's funny how people immediately think that EB's side is lying. look at the track records EB a stand up guy, Donald Sterling in the past has shown that winning is not his main concern. my father always told me a tiger can never change his strips. i don't know who's telling the truth but i think i got a pretty good idea.

[mike]

The atmosphere at Clipper town is not conductive towards winning, thats why Cassell left, now Brand and Magettee. Brand was loyal member, I believe they just got fed up with all the politics there and it will be good for them to start some where else. Im sorry to see them go, Clippers management is to blame for not providing the necessary leadership to become contenders in the conference.

[Shag]

The Clippers would be better off in the NBA "D" league. As long as Donald Sterling is the owner, they'll never any more than a team of all-so-rans. The guy is a flake, who's more concerned about real estate acquistions in Beverly Hills, than he is about the team.

[migster]

Elton's move was BS. Totally weak on this part.

However, though productive, I think the Clips need a player with more spark, they need a guy that will lift the team's spirit. EB never provided that.

And Magette, Im glad he is gone, Warriors totally overpaid for a player that has an average shot and thinks he should be shooting when he has the ball. I have seen the guy blow so many last minute shots; he is good for getting on the foul line, that is it!

With Davis, Kaman, Thorton, Mobley, and assuming we sign a strong restricted free agent, I thnk we have enough talent and might have a more explosive team.

Change is good. This team has been boring and ineffiective the last few years.

[Mike B]

MichaelCage!...You certainly have called it! I mean, how can one person be so on top of another person's character? Of course, you have lived your life in such a way that is totally beyond reproach. With friends, family, on the job, in your relationships, you have ALWAYS been a stand-up guy. No skeletons in your closet. I will only say this...if you think that because this man who has a family, a livelihood, has worked hard to attain the level of respect and professionalism that is still carrying him to his goals today, has somehow compromised ALL of that in this situation, you my friend are terribly misguided. As the Honey Nut Clusters squirrel once said, "Don't tempt my tummy with the taste of nuts and honey!" (makes about as much sense as your Norman Mailer quote)