Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 11, 2003 From AP... LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Mike Dunleavy likes the young talent on the Los Angeles Clippers. He would like to see it stick around. Dunleavy was introduced Friday as the new coach of the Clippers, who have a handful of prominent free agents who will shape the immediate future of the franchise. "I've talked to a few of the guys along the way," Dunleavy said. "I'm excited about who they are and the potential here." Forwards Elton Brand, Lamar Odom and Corey Maggette, center Michael Olowokandi and guard Andre Miller all are eligible for free agency. With that young, talented nucleus, the Clippers can contend for a playoff spot. "The Clippers organization has done a great job of drafting players," said Dunleavy, who said he will have some input on personnel decisions. "That was a great lure." However, Clippers owner Donald Sterling has a reputation for not re-signing the team's free agents. Should the majority of the free agents head elsewhere, Dunleavy would be starting from scratch with a team that has not made the playoffs since 1997. Terms were not immediately disclosed for Dunleavy, who took his fourth NBA coaching job and second in LA. He has not coached since being fired by the Portland Trail Blazers after the 2000-01 season. "He's really a student of the game and really understands the game," Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor said. "He's a basketball junkie." Dunleavy, 49, sees the same quality in some of the current Clippers. "We have some players here who are gym rats and I like to be around players like that," he said. With excellent rebounders and shot-blockers in Brand and Olowokandi, a solid point guard in Miller and athletic wings in Maggette and Odom, the Clippers have the players that fit the system Dunleavy wants to use. "I like, defensively, to mix my game up a lot," he said. "I like to push the ball and get every opportunity for easy scores." Dunleavy replaces Dennis Johnson, who went 8-16 on an interim basis after replacing the fired Alvin Gentry in March. Johnson and former Detroit Pistons coach Rick Carlisle also were interviewed by Baylor. A former NBA point guard whose son, Mike Jr., plays for the Golden State Warriors, Dunleavy has a career mark of 398-390 with the Lakers, Milwaukee and Portland. He guided the Lakers to the 1991 Finals as a rookie coach but did not fare well in four seasons in Milwaukee, where he went just 107-221 despite personnel control. ___ I think this is a great pickup for the Clips. Dunleavy's son played for Duke so he must've had some contact with former alums Brand and Maggette. Now that they have a legitimate coach on the hand, if they can resign all their talent and avoid the injury bug, there might actually be a battle for Los Angeles in the long haul. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Like one of the guys on Around the Horn said. Dunleavey has either taken over talented veteran teams, (Lakers, Blazers), or failed when he was put in charge (Bucks). I don't think this is the right fit for either side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lethargic Report post Posted July 12, 2003 I know you're a Clippers fan...but, come on....Dunleavy..."worth the wait"? Yet another mediocre coach to coach another underachieving team? Dunleavy hasn't been a winner yet, I doubt that'll change at the Clippers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 12, 2003 He has a .508 winning percentage as a coach and he is the first credible coah the Clips habe had since Larry Brown. Dennis Johnson, Alvin Gentry, Jim Brewer, Jim Todd, Chris Ford, Bill Fitch, Mike Schuler, Bob Weiss... This is also a good thing because Dunleavy wouldn't have signed on unless the Clips are serious about resigning some of their free agents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 12, 2003 It's the FUCKING CLIPPERS. Dunleavy isn't something to be excited about... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The ChriZa Report post Posted July 12, 2003 Hooray! Now all they need is a team! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rendclaw 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2003 Maggette is already gone to Denver, and as long as Sterling owns the team, they aren;t going to amount to anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 12, 2003 As I said on the other thread, $7 million a year should be in Sterling's ballpark. As a Clipper fan, all I have to hold on to is the hope that Sterling will shell out some $$$. Let me have that at least for the next 15 days after Maggette signs with the Nuggets. That's the amount of time that the Clips have to match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 12, 2003 Why can't Magic just go "mmm...Why Don't I just buy the Clippers to add to my resume" I know he owns part of the Lakers but C'mon... He owns Starbucks, TGIFRIDAYs, Movie Theaters...The Clippers would be like buying a Clipboard for him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 12, 2003 I gave up all hope of someone buying the team from Sterling years ago. All I have is my positive outlook and the hope that he kicks the bucket soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted July 12, 2003 Sterling made like 15 million last year. Why would he sell the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 12, 2003 Respect. Something that is lost on him... Does he even follow basketball? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 12, 2003 The team is simply a good investment for him. He puts minimal effort into the organization and in return makes millions in profits. Larry Flint just named him the Humanitarian of the Year here in Los Angeles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
