Caron Butler joins the Clippers

In need of a small forward who could score, the Los Angeles Clippers handed Caron butler a 3 year/$24 million deal Thursday. Debating between LA, Chicago, San Antonio, and New Jersey, Butler decided that playing with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon was the most enticing option. Butler only played in 29 games last season with the champion Mavericks before rupturing his patellar tendon but Caron feels that his knee is back to 100% and is ready to help the Clippers reach the playoffs in 2012.

Shaq announces retirement

After 19 years, four NBA championships, 28,596 points and many memorable quotes, the great career of “The Diesel” Shaquille O’Neal has come to an end. The 1st pick in the 1992 draft by the Orlando Magic, Shaq was one of the most dominant players the game has ever seen. He could score at will, rebound with nearly unmatched aggression and block shots with ease. O’Neal will be remembered for many different things, but one thing that will always stand out will be his heart and desire to win championships. Shaq was able to personal disputes aside to win three titles with Kobe Bryant, showing that great players can do great things in uncomfortable positions. More of a role player the last few years, Shaq still had star power and was one of the leagues most marketable players. The NBA will never have anyone like Shaq again and he will be missed. Thank you Shaquille O’Neal for all the great memories.

 

Darren

Blake Griffin wins NBA Rookie of the Year

May 4th, 2011 will always be a special day for Clipper Nation as Clippers Power Forward Blake Griffin was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. After posting 22.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.8 APG while playing in all 82 games, Griffin was not only a huge highlight reel, but also one of the hardest workers in the league. Griffin became the 1st player in league history to compete in all three days of All-Star weekend and finished fourth in the league in rebounds. Is an MVP award in Griffin’s future? It’s highly possible, especially if he continues to improve his game.

Darren

Jordan calls Rose MVP, suprises Rose

After his Bulls defeated the Charlotte Bobacts Wednesday night, Derrick Rose received praise from the greatest of all time. Michael Jordan shocked Rose with statments he made after the game, calling Rose the MVP of the league. MJ said “MVP of the season… He deserves it. He’s playing that well. He deserves it. Without a doubt. And if he doesn’t get it, now he’ll see how I felt a lot of years.” Rose responded by saying , “That’s huge, man,(With a huge smile) when the person that you’re playing behind, all you hear about is Mike, especially in Chicago, look up to him. For him to say that, it’s unbelievable. It’s an honor and I’m speechless right now.”

Is Rose the NBA MVP right now? I think he is. Rose has the Bulls right in the mix with Boston and Miami and has improved in nearly every major statistical category this season. Rose is averaging 24.5 PTS, 8.1 AST, 4.3 REb and 1.1 STL. Derrick Rose would be only the second Bulls player to ever win the MVP, joining the great Michael Jordan.

Darren

Mike Bibby secures buyout, headed to Miami?

Veteran Point Guard Mike Bibby has had a busy last week. First he was dealt by the Atlanta Hawks after playing and starting 56 games for the squad, to the lowly Washington Wizards. Then after playing in two games for Washington, Bibby secured himself a buyout, foregoing $6.2 million to play for a contender. It is highly speculated that Bibby will land with the Miami Heat, but he has also drawn heavy interest from contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers. Miami is in desperate need of a veteran Point Guard who has playoff experience and Bibby is just that as well as a significant upgrade over Mario Chalmers, despite his advanced NBA age. Wherever Bibby should land, he will definately help out and could be the missing link.

Darren

Blake Griffin wins 2011 Slam Dunk Contest; Joins Barry

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers lived up to the hype Saturday night at the Staples Center. After earning a bid in the final round after a nice 360 two hand finish and an alley oop finish from Baron Davis, Griffin squared off with the Washington Wizards’ Javale McGee. Griffin first went Vince Carter on us and put his arm in the rim with ease. Then after McGee would answer with a “rock the cradle,” Griffin would wheel out a Kia, have teammate Baron Davis pop out the sun roof and toss him a lob. Griffin sailed over the hood of the car and finished with ease. McGee had no answer for it and Griffin was crowned champion.

In winning this years dunk contest, Blake Griffin joined Brent Barry as the only Clippers to win the dunk contest. Brent Barry famously won it in 1996 after defeating Michael Finley in the final. The only other Clipper to compete in the contest was Corey Maggette who finished last in 2001. After what e did this year, many of us hope Blake will return next year and defend his title. Can he top what he did? I dont know but I sure would love to find out.

Darren

Clippers beat the Heat!

Last night at Staples Center, the Los Angeles Clippers came out on fire and were able to beat the Miami Heat 111-105. After scorching the Heat for 44 points in the first half, the Clippers held off a couple Heat surges to pick up their 8th win in their last 11 contests. Eric Gordon led the Clippers with 26 points while Baron Davis added 20 and Blake Griffin tallied his 24th straight double double by posting 24 points along with 14 rebounds. This win snapped the Heat’s 13 game road winning streak and Lebron James sprained an ankle in the loss to boot. Hopefully the Clippers can keep this play up and keeping posting wins.

Darren

Rockets seek exception for Yao; Is career done?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5942577

The Houston Rockets, 13-15 and next to last in the Southwest Division, are seeking an injury exception on seven time NBA All-Star Yao Ming. This exception would allow the Rockets to trade for, or sign a free agent for up to the exception of $5.7 million. Yao, arguably the most fundamental Center in the NBA, has had a history of injury issues during  his career. Being 7’6 of course contributes alot to that. After sitting out the entire 2009-10 NBA season with a hairline fracture in his left foot, Yao started this season on a strict minutes count. Even that couldn’t kick the injury bug on the Chinese giant. Yao once again went down with an injury related to his foot once again. Yao may opt for surgery, which would require him to sit out another 10 months before he could return to the court.

The question many will ask is, “Will Yao call it a career?” By far the most influential NBA player worldwide since Michael Jordan, Yao’s impact on the NBA has been second to none. China has embraced the game and backed Yao 100%. Unfortuantely for all parties involved, Yao hasn’t been up to par the last two years. An All-Star in all seven of his played NBA seasons, (and due to be voted in again this year absurdly), Yao has done a ton for Houston, the NBA, China and most importantly himself. Yao was brought in and looked at as “soft” but in reality was a throwback Center. Having soft hands, a nice mid range jumper, solid post moves and above average defense, Yao played like it was 1976 back when Centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton were the big men in charge. Now having only played five games in the Rockets’ last 100, Yao may decide to call it quits, despite publicy denying retirement thoughts. If this is the end for Yao, many will remember Yao Ming as a great NBA Center who was blessed with a gift and a curse of being tall and athletic, succumbing to injuries. I hope to see that big, red, #11 Rockets jersey reading “Yao” on the back once again.

Darren

MJ says “I wouldn’t do it”

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478

After last weeks free agent frenzy with the Miami Heat getting Dwayne Wade to resign and getting Chris Bosh and LeBron James, there has been many members of the media criticizing the moves. But, the man widely regarded as the greatest of all-time spoke up. Michael Jordan, winner of 6 NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls made his opinion known on Sunday. “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,’ ” Jordan said after playing in a celebrity golf tournament in Nevada. The interview aired on the NBC telecast of the event. “But that’s … things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

For many years MJ has been mum on comparisons of players to himself but after all the media frenzy Jordan felt it was time to reveal his feelings. After first saying he felt Kobe was better than LeBron, Jordan made the perfect comments in my opinion. Back when Jordan was playing, the league was a tougher and more physical game. Nowadays the league is softer and the players seem to intent on getting fouls by flopping and acting. Players aren’t as competitive as well as many want to jump ship to another team a the first sign of struggle. Back in the 80′s and early 90′s, most players stuck it out and played hard night in and night out to try and improve their team. Now many want to be traded to an already successful team to get a better shot at a ring. I think the game has changed in a bad way as the players don’t want to EARN a ring and want it just handed to them because of who they are. It really has cheapened the game. 

Jordan had Scottie Pippen as his running mate but it was 100% clear as to who ran the team. In Miami it’s questioned as to who will be the #1 option. Many, myself included, believe it will still be D Wade’s team. LeBron could win a many titles as he’d like, but many will say his legacy is tarnished because he wanted to join two star players in order to win a title. The closest comparison to Jordan will not be LeBron, especially after making this move to Miami. I believe the favorite for the title this year is not Miami because the Lakers are the defending champs. I believe the Boston Celtics are still a better team from top to bottom as they have geat team chemistry and we have yet to see Miami play.

Darren

Chris Paul to be traded?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5317801

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul has takin alot of the free agent period attention from Lebron James of late. Thing is, Chris Paul is under contract with New Orleans. With the possibility of a sale, and the front office repetitively dumping guys for salary relief, speculation is that Chris Paul could be swapped. Paul said his first choice is New Orleans but he wants to see some commitment from the team and some smart basketball related moves, not financial ones. Paul, who is widely regarded as a top 3 point guard in the league, would love to pair up with his good friend Lebron James and win a ring and it could possibly happen but in my opinion it’s unlikely. 

The reported offers for Paul have been rich in talent. Orlando has reportedly offered Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter, though Magic GM Otis Smith denied it. And New Jersey, which has had several discussions with the Hornets, has reportedly offered Devin Harris and the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s draft. Both trades would give the Hornets good talent and save them money long-term. Either one of these trades could help the Hornets but I think New Orleans may want even more for the 25 yr old. We shall see where Paul ends up playing in 2010-11 but my guess is as good as the next one…

Darren