The Turnaround

[blackice]

It was a tough decision to trade the franchise in Dwight Howard. There was internal talks for weeks, teams put in offers and it looked like the best center in the league was heading to POR. Complications arose and a team with ambitious goals in BKN hit us up to pair Howard with Aldridge and Lawson. We went back and forth and finally agreed to a deal sending the longest tenured Clipper for star shooting guard "Dion Waiters" and a 1st rounder.


Dwight looks good in Nets colours

Life after Dwight appeared to be a losing venture and it was expected the team would continue to free fall...that was not what happened. We moved Gibson for expirings and have caproom to bring guys back this offeason. The roster is as follows:


Amir Johnson/Brandon Wright/Greg Stiemsma
Evan Turner/(Dario Saric)/Andrea Bargnani
Nicolas Batum/Dario Saric/Aaron Thomas
Dion Waiters/Reggie Jackson/Jarrett Jack
Isaiah Thomas/Jordan Farmar/Jameer Nelson


While a bit undersized up front the unexpected happened. We started winning. The team is 5-1 post trade and undefeated in the month of February so far.



Is Saric on the road to becoming a star?

Dario Saric in February (playing off the bench):
vs. IND:

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17/5/1 w/ 1 stls & 3 blks

vs. UTA:

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20/3/1 w/ 2 blks

vs. LAL:

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7/3

vs. MIN:

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17/5 w/ 1 stl & 1 blk

vs. UTA:

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25/9/4 w/ 4 stls

The defense? With guys like Waiters/Jackson/Batum/Turner/Johnson we expect it to continue to trend upwards.

The offense? We implimented a ball movement offense and the results have been spectacular. Without Howard and his high USG%, we see games with 6-8 players scoring in double digits.


Can Dion Waiters be the "guy" moving forward?

Waiters has been great on both ends and at only 25 he hasn't even his his prime yet. Averaging 18.8/4.2/3.6 w/ 1.3 stls on 43/43/68 he's the closer and a guy that can carry an offense by himself when need be.

Coach "Lionel Hollins" had this to say:

I love the play of these guys, everyone is taking responsibility and contributing at a high level. Our eye is on the playoffs and if we make it anything can happen. The strong play of POR and GSW will make it tough but we have our goal and we'll work tirelessly to get there.

Amir is holding the post down and playing great

Michael Wilbon:

You have to wonder if a pick or two will be moved for a big man if it becomes apparent the team could very well make the playoffs.

[Rizzo]

I cannot believe you were able to move on from three massive contracts in Dwight, Melo and Gibson all in one season. Quite honestly, I like your team much more as currently constructed and it shows with the winning you've been doing lately.

[OneNole]

Just as I said it would, you have done well reshaping your team and should make the playoffs now.

[bt]

Should continue on too. Only tough games in Feb are against a PG-less Orlando, the Pelicans and a hot Memphis. Should win the rest as it's a relatively easy month for you guys.

[Mattybriand]

Great work man

IMO your one of the best GM's in the league!

[Marcos_Beck]

Should continue on too. Only tough games in Feb are against a PG-less Orlando, the Pelicans and a hot Memphis. Should win the rest as it's a relatively easy month for you guys.

Yes sir! That's very well noticed.
I had multiple thoughts on completing a possible trade that would include your pick and send one of my best players for a "discount" price (in my mind) as I'm not a pick fan. But you're definitely on the rise so that was quickly turned down by my conscience.
Love Waiters, for real. If he had better DI, I'd have offered Horford for him.

Well, good luck for the rest of the season!

[Chilikonkarne]

Clippers keep changing face every year but I particularly like this one : Young and talented, you could make some noise in the western conference

[blackice]

Should continue on too. Only tough games in Feb are against a PG-less Orlando, the Pelicans and a hot Memphis. Should win the rest as it's a relatively easy month for you guys.

I hope you're right, I'm terrified of POR and to a lesser extent GSW. We need to continue to have a good month if we have any hope to make the postseason.

[mgtr81]

I would wait to draw any conclusions until you play good teams, because Minnesota is the only tough opponent you had in February so far. Still, great job moving those contracts.

[RiotPunch]

Glad to see you are finding a winning formula!

[lakeshowak7]

Black Wizard should be your account name my brother. Got out of that Gibson deal, traded Howard, and still managed to maintain talent and GAIN financial flexibility. That's advanced stuff right there.

[blackice]

Black Wizard should be your account name my brother. Got out of that Gibson deal, traded Howard, and still managed to maintain talent and GAIN financial flexibility. That's advanced stuff right there.

[hardenwithnod]

^ Lmao, thats a good pic for the nick name.

[blackice]

Saric's last 2 games:


vs. SAS:

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30/5/3 w/ 2 stls

vs. DAL:

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15/4/4 w/ 4 stls & 3 blks

Maybe a 6th Man of the Year candidate?

[KW]

Love that you were able to get something out of Gibson's awful contract and moved Dwight while he still had value. I know a blackice team is never too far away.

We haven't made our annual trade yet :/

[blackice]

Love that you were able to get something out of Gibson's awful contract and moved Dwight while he still had value. I know a blackice team is never too far away.

We haven't made our annual trade yet :/

Harden would look nice in a Clipper uniform

[KW]

Love that you were able to get something out of Gibson's awful contract and moved Dwight while he still had value. I know a blackice team is never too far away.

We haven't made our annual trade yet :/

Harden would look nice in a Clipper uniform

You should retire his #13 the same way the Miami Heat retired Jordan's #23

[blackice]

Love that you were able to get something out of Gibson's awful contract and moved Dwight while he still had value. I know a blackice team is never too far away.

We haven't made our annual trade yet :/

Harden would look nice in a Clipper uniform

You should retire his #13 the same way the Miami Heat retired Jordan's #23

Don't think I won't, haha.