HH: Kentucky #4...Really?

Ok, I am the first to admit that I bleed Duke Blue. Just as I gloat around the company watercooler at all the Blue Devil triumphs (there are many) I also look forward to the ribbing when those few times roll around that the mighty K has fallen. Then there are times like last week. I received an e-mail form a die hard USC fan... Really??? Anyway, the article was on ESPN about the top 10 most prestigious programs since 1984-85. Now, I immediately went to it thinking okay, Duke has to be in the top 4 or 5. Imagine my amazement after slowly scrolling down from # 10 to 1 and finding Kentucky (yes I said Kentucky) to be #4!!! UNC (The Evil Empire) at #3 made me feel good. Kansas at #2 then DUKE #1 again. Looking at the scoring and the amount of titles owned by Duke at three and UNC/UK/Kansas all two, it is easy to forget that these schools have been so good for so long yet they don't always win the title. Anyway, here is the link...go and check it out for yourself. Yes, you too can become a DUKIE!!
Make me a believer!!

KL: European Defections

Two weeks ago, when we heard that the highly recruited high school athlete, Brandon Jennings, was skipping out on American collegiate athletics in favor of a European side trip to the NBA--we were not surprised. We knew it was going to happen sooner or later ever since the NBA imposed their controversial age limit rule. Jennings was simply trailblazing a new path for others to follow. Whether this happens in large droves, we do not know yet.

Today, however, marked an unexpected European defection. Josh Childress of the Atlanta Hawks has signed a large contract to play for a team in the Greek league. Jennings--simply using Europe as a means to arrive at the NBA through a different path, while Childress is using the NBA to negotiate with Europe? We all know the US economy is crashing fast and the Euro is thriving, but I will go out on a limb and assume Childress is just not that shrewd.

He simply wanted out.

This has nothing to do with the state of the NBA--although the current state of interest (or lack of) leaves a lot to be desired--but more so with the state of the Atlanta Hawks. From the infighting between top bureaucracy, to the poor management of the roster, this franchise--despite a glimmer of hope this past season--is just that bad. Now that the Clippers are no longer "the Clippers", the Hawks have replaced them as the franchise to flee.

Yes, Childress--who was a restricted free agent--was at the mercy of the Hawks who were able (and willing) to match any contract offers. He was not going anywhere without their say in the matter. Or, at least that is what they thought. Because they didn't seriously give one of the best NBA role players a decent contract negotiation and strung him along, the acrobatic Josh Childress simply turned the table and changed the rules on them: He fled to Greece for a 20 million dollar contract over three years to a team that was not bound by the NBA free agency rules. No, he is not interested in learning about Apollo, Athena, or Zeus, or even a trip to the Acropolis--he is more concerned about fleeing the disaster that has been the Atlanta Hawks franchise. The days of Dominique have been long gone.

So, while Brandon Jennings will not be around the European Culture for more than a year--or even a few months as it is a short season, Childress has committed to three years, where he most likely will come crawling back to the NBA when he is done. But if you ask him, I am sure he will say it was worth it because the Atlanta Hawks organization is just... that... laughable.

WP: On distinctions of class

I have always been a fan of golf. I like playing it. I like watching it on the telly (although in recent years it has become an excuse to nap on the couch). I like how enduring it is, both as a game and with regard to individual players. How many sports are there where you can watch, even grow old with, your favorite players with the passing of time? Not many. This weekend was a poignant reminder of golf’s timelessness. Were you to tune in to the British Open, you could perhaps have fallen under the impression that you had been magically transported into the 1980’s…there, swimming gracefully and comfortably atop the leaderboard was “The Shark”. Perhaps he looked a little older, but the confidence, grace and that winning grin that was part and parcel of the younger version of Greg Norman was still present.

It was great to see him back on the highlight reels. The class and dignity that he and many like him bring to the game, sports in general really, make you want to cheer for them. We want them to succeed, first of all, because we ourselves are faced with the fact that our best years may be behind us. We can then live vicariously through these giants of years-gone-by as they enjoy one last hurrah…one last exultant stand at the top of the mountain, arms raised aloft. It lifts us up letting us also feel ageless, triumphant, even if just for awhile. I, for one, hope that this isn’t just an isolated event and that we can tune in every now and again to find the Shark hunting his way through the pack.

A second reason we long for them to endure is due to nagging doubts about the future. Are there those in this new generation ready to take up the mantle, to represent their respective sports with the same commitment, dignity and class demonstrated by those before them? Only time will tell. Hopefully this new breed will emulate the pattern set before them. While every sport has its colorful figures, those who provide interesting chapters along its timelines, the overall tone of, and inevitably respect for the sport is set by those who themselves respect its storied history and traditions. Especially is this important for those blazing new trails.

Enter Danica Patrick. Women hailed her entrance to the IRL as if it were the second coming. The IRL saw her as a much needed marketing windfall. How did she handle these great expectations? Well, for at least the second time now, we have a very visible altercation between Ms. Patrick and another racer, this time also a female.Who says you can’t have a good dose of soap opera with your sports? Is this type of friction between racers new or unique to women? Nope. Is it deserving of any more scrutiny than are conflagrations among Danica’s counterparts? Not at all. But it IS scrutinized. As such, she should hold herself to a higher standard of conduct than her peers. Is it fair that there is a divergent standard? Hardly, but reality always trumps expectation. Dignity.

Then there is the other stuff. What other stuff you ask? Try an image search on Google for “Danica Patrick”. Out of 100 images, how many show her next to a race-car, fully clothed. Two or three maybe? Now do the same search for any male racer. The results are reversed. Now, don’t misunderstand me. I would never begrudge her whatever income she can come by through endorsements or even photo spreads. It is completely within her right to pursue these as part of her career. But, what is it that she hopes to bring to the sport? Is it her wish to be known as an opportunistic drama queen? Or as a deftly proficient DRIVER (male or female)? Class.

Dignity and Class. Ask yourself, when Danica returns to racing at 53, will you be rooting for her to win? Not likely. And I can assure you that FHM and Maxim won’t be knocking on her door either.

WP: Bond or Bonds, nothing without a nemesis.

Goldfinger: This is gold, Mr Bond. All my life, I've been in love with its colour, its brilliance, its divine heaviness. I welcome any enterprise that will increase my stock,which is considerable.
Bond: I think you've made your point. Thank you for the demonstration.
Goldfinger: Choose your next witticism carefully, Mr Bond. It may be your last. The purpose of our two encounters is now very clear to me. I do not intend to be distracted by another. Good night, Mr Bond.
Bond: Do you expect me to talk?

Goldfinger: No, Mr Bond! I expect you to die!

Don’t fool yourself, it is the villains that make every Bond movie worthwhile. Think about it…Bond remains essentially the same from movie to movie (excluding of course the necessary actor changes), the same suits, the same biting wit, the same womanizing, the same cars. The movie really centers around the villain and the current plot to dominate (fill in whatever might be worth dominating here). Without their antagonism, Bond is just a murderous playboy with a drinking problem and intimacy issues. In the scene above, had there been no laser, no nefarious scheme, no dénouement to Bond’s investigation…had Scotland yard simply burst in and arrested Goldfinger and his henchmen, carried off with cries of “Curse you James Bond!”, we would all have yawned and relegated the movie to the bowels of cinematic hum-drum, never to be seen from again. Antagonism is therefore essential for a movie to have relevance.

Which brings us to the 2008 Home Run Derby…or any years Home Run Derby for that matter. Irrelevant. Not because the fans don’t flock to it. Neither is it because there isn't some philanthropic gain, the monies donated to charity which are indeed plentiful. It is irrelevant because there is no antagonism. For the amount of money these players make per game, when Steve from accounting stands up to pitch a ball at you, you had BETTER be able to peel the leather off of it and send it into another time zone, with a crack similar to the Concord breaking Mach 2.2. What is the allure? Why are fans drawn to it year after year? I will admit that, for the most part, I am a baseball purist. I love the drama between pitcher and batter. I appreciate a well executed squeeze-play, or hit and run. I cry over the occasional 5-4-3 double play. While I don’t deny the allure of the long ball, especially when deep within the pitch count, the entertainment value of jacking one after another from the stadium is completely lost on me. In particular when facing someone who serves up pitches which are dressed in their finest “remove me from the park please” party dress. Without the antagonism of a skilled pitcher, without the mettle-to-mettle back and forth. It is pointless.

To prove my point, let’s examine the reciprocal. Well call it the 2009 Strike Out Derby. It will pit the likes of Lincecum, Santana and Sanchez hurling their best stuff towards, you guessed it…Steve from accounting. Ridiculous right? What do you think Sandy Koufax, or better yet, Nolan Ryan would say about such an event. Men who faced some of the best batters in history and managed to accomplish the improbable feat of multiple no-hitters. The same holds true for home run hitters. The doping debate aside, it requires tremendous skill and dedication to your craft to thump 500 home runs over a career. More than that and you reach demi-god status. If we want to honor the deep drive, why not do so in a way that is truly honorable to the men who hit them and the sport that affords the opportunity. Perhaps have the fans come together annually at EACH stadium and play a video profile of a hitter or hitters who have distinguished themselves as home run kings, then followed by a montage of the years best rips so far. Kind of an old vs. new type thing. Then let the kids down on the field, put a bat in their hand and let them face Steve from accounting. Who knows…maybe in this way we could see one of the future greats before they were such. That is an event I would pay to go to or even be enticed into watching on the telly.

KL: An All-Star game found lacking.

So the MLB All Star Game is tomorrow... Did you somehow miss this too?

As a younger child, I looked forward to this game. Seeing Mattingly play with Boggs, who played with Ripkin, and McGuire, and Gywnn, and Puckett, and Strawberry, and Gooden, and Fisk, and Sandberg, and Dawson, etc... It was truly a game of All-Stars. It was meaningless, yes, and it only was an exhibition; but it was fun.... it was anticipated.

I woke up this morning and turned on the news. Oh, the game is tomorrow evening? How did I miss this fact? I will tell you how I missed it: I simply did not and do not care. I am not interested in a National League line-up (despite having a rooting interest in the NL) with the likes of Kosuke Fukudome as the Center Fielder or Geovany Soto as the Catcher. (I can honestly say I have never heard of Soto until I wrote this editorial.) Yes, it is nice to see Chipper Jones have a late-career resurgence and make an appearance as a starter, for the sake of familiarity, and Pujols is always deserving... but then I look at the AL roster. Dustin Pedroia? Cliff Lee? Kevin Youkilis? And these are the starters? I haven't even delved into the reserves yet.

No, I will not watch this game, it is simply uninspiring--just like the efforts that will be made by the participants... and the irony is that the MLB All Star Game may still be the highest profile of the four major professional sports (Pro Bowl anyone?); yet the ratings are all but non-existent. I believe in this day and age, people simply do not have the time or desire to see the half-effort displays made by these professional athletes. As they have become wealthier, their sense of humor and willing spirit has somehow diminished. We will never again experience the classic type of encounter that we did between Randy Johnson and John Kruk 15 years ago during one MLB All Star Game. Major League Baseball as a sport is slowly dying and the interest waning. Is it time for football yet?

KL: A quick note on ol' Graybeard

Watching the latest events unfold in the saga of ol' Graybeard himself--Brett Farv-ra, I must admit, that an overplayed story has actually peaked my interest. Favre has requested release from the Green Bay Packers so he can come out of a very brief retirement to make "one last" super bowl run. Being perhaps one of the top three quarterbacks to ever play the game, one might think--despite how tiresome Favre's yearly commitments and decommitments are--that it might be nice to see the man play on the field again one more year. Who doesn't want to see a Hall of Fame lock to take the field perhaps one last time? Who didn't want to see Michael Jordan play for a down and out Wizards team?

Wait a minute. Let's back this up. I was curious when Jordan returned, and I possibly will admit that I switched to a Wizards game by choice--yes intentionally--for the very first time in my life because of this. Only to realize that Jordan was a year older, a year slower, and making absolutely no difference for this terrible team.

Maybe Favre won't be as slow, and as decrepit as Jordan was. But at least Jordan left for two years before he made his attempt to come back. Leaving some anticipation to the average viewer like myself.

No, I do not anticipate Favre's return. And apparently, neither do the Green Bay Packers. They have been patiently behind this man ever since he has made his supposed "last run"--each of the last three seasons. They have even groomed his heir apparent in Aaron Rogers, who has been stagnating on the bench all this time waiting for it to all play out. Even so, the Packers management have been patiently allowing Favre to take his time. He is Brett Favre after all. Well, he finally left, so naturally Green Bay set everything in motion for life without their Hall of Famer at the helm.

Yes, even at age 39 or 40, Favre, most likely, would be more productive than a first year Aaron Rogers. But that is not the point here. The team has moved on. Everything has been set for Rogers to start his first NFL game this September. And now 60 days before that first game Favre has this "itch" to return? And he expects the Pack to go along with his every move and wavering decisions? Maybe they are being childish by denying him to go elsewhere--without a legitimate reason thus far. On the other hand, Favre is being selfish for assuming the world revolves around him. So if you are the Packers, why would you let him go to a competitor?

No, despite the seemingly harsh decision to not release Favre, I believe the Packers are justified here. This is a business. And ol' Graybeard himself should have had some foresight into the possibilities of being emotionally fickle. And now it is his problem to deal with--not the Packers. And the Packers have absolutely no need to justify their decision--who have the contractual rights to do this. They have been cooperative all along and have acted respectfully. It is time for Brett Favre to do the same and go away quietly.

HH: On Basketball, or the lack of...

Speaking of ramblings... Since I am going through withdrawals this long summer (no basketball!!!!) I am put in the position to ramble about something no one else cares about. Well there are a few. While I have been reading Kicking Lettuce blogs I have realized I am dumbfounded at the timing of not extending ABC's series Boston Legal. Maybe the network has a new reality show about sleeping or even watching paint dry??? At any expense, I await with anticipation for Denny and Alan to commence their own brand of reality!!! As we are here in Spokane, with the nice long summer evenings, I look forward to sitting by my pond and waterfall while pondering life's questions (should I have a sleep over with T-dawg? etc...) It should be very interesting as the last season begins with Alan and Denny walking off in Full Colors to go fishing in the middle of Boston. Alas, where will they take us? Will Alan ever let down his guard long enough to love anybody else besides Denny? What new bimbo, er, lady will come to the firm for Alan, oops... I mean new job opportunity?! Oh well, my Scotch awaits. DENNY CRANE!!

Now bring on some hoops!

WP: Favre's return- A castaway no more?

Castaway for me was one of those movies you only need see once. But if you were able to make it through the seemingly endless portrayal of island solitude, it did have a worthwhile message that bears mightily on recent sports rumor. After four long years of introspective isolation, Tom Hanks’ character is rescued and returns home to find that all of those that he cared for have moved on. His wife had remarried, they replaced him at work (go figure), none of his clothes fit. Life as he had previously experienced it was gone. After a brief period of emotional upheaval, he pulled himself up by the boot straps and GOT ON WITH HIS LIFE!

Yes…this is a sports Blog. So, you might be wondering just where I am going with this. My answer??? Well, it should be obvious. After four long months of media solitude rumors are circulating that Favre is contemplating a return to professional football…as a player…at the age of 38. Come on Brett! You yourself admitted that you could no longer give 100%!! My fear is that, if he were to return, he would find that everyone had moved on. His fans having gone through their requisite period of mourning will have attached themselves to a more attractive and younger up-and-comer and will not know quite how to act when he comes knocking at the door, soaking wet from the rain of tears we saw displayed not long ago. He even looks like Tom a bit.

Of course, this is all just rumor. Right! He has paddled his little raft out into the shipping channel and is just waiting for someone to pick him up. Chances are that someone will. Someone will see him as a potential catalyst to a franchise turnaround, throw the life ring and haul him in. And two years from now, when Favre realizes that he was right the first time, he will quietly step off the side of the boat never to be heard from again…until next time. Anyone need a coach? If he shows up at the press conference wearing a goofy hat made of palm fronds, I will switch to synchronized swimming for good. Mark my words!

WP: Two wheels vs. Four

9.4 million. That’s the number of viewers who, on any given weekend, sit in their living rooms bedecked in all manner of NASCAR apparel, whooping words of encouragement to their favorite racer as his (or her) car winds around a track. I am the first to admit that the nuances of auto racing are lost on me while being grossly apparent to a large number of American males, and a growing number of females. The thought of watching a line of cars, no matter how colorfully decorated, negotiate a never-ending series of turns or, worse yet, a continuous loop, holds all the appeal to me of a Meryl Streep movie marathon. I mention this not to detract from the sport but to highlight what I see as an incongruity in the tapestry which is American sports fanaticism. As July 5th approached, I and about three other citizens eagerly anticipated the start of the 95th Tour de France. A race. A REAL race…not of finely tuned, high octane cars, but of men. Men who grind out every brutal, unforgiving mile with sweat and will and determination and sometimes blood. A race with all the plot twists and drama of a Creighton novel and the occasional surprise ending worthy of M. Night Shyamalan. Again, my intent is not to impugn the undeniable skill and athleticism required to compete in a NASCAR event but to ask…why? Why doesn’t America get cycling? At its peak, during Lance Armstrong’s final hurrah, a mere 558,000 televisions in the U.S. were tuned in to the event. Now however, it’s like cranking through the Pyrenees on the big ring just to reach a paltry 250,000. You would think that an event with so much to offer would be eagerly anticipated by, at the very least, more than just a smattering of Americans.

When you compare the two sports side-by-side, they would seem to hold the same appeal, at least on the surface. They have the same raucous, beer-swilling fans. The same colorful uniforms, although cycling takes a hit for the spandex. Racers in both sports aspire to be rock stars or movie stars or eco-propagandizers, whoever it is we are supposed to idolize today, and bear the egos to prove it. The venues used in cycling are more appealing than those in NASCAR. Who wouldn't prefer to see European countryside over a raceway undulating endlessly upon itself with little or no change through the course of the event, with the exception of the brightly colored cars which, of course, match the aforementioned brightly colored racing duds. It must be admitted that the sponsors for NASCAR have better face value then their counterparts in cycling. Home Depot, Coors Light and M & M's are far more recognizable to Americans than are Euskaltel - Euskadi, Credit Agricole and Rabobank; although Garmin Chipotle might ring a few bells. Crashes are a mainstay of both sports and both pan out evenly in this regard-NASCAR for the sheer mayhem involved in most accidents and cycling for the number of participants usually involved. I would give an edge to cycling though since there is no yellow flag. Other racers fortunate enough to avoid the entanglement are expected to carry on smartly as if nothing untoward ever happened. It would seem then, an even match. Perhaps the only place where blame could fall would be the lack of year round coverage. Ask any NASCAR fan to name as many events possible and they will likely rattle off an extensive list by name, where they take place and why they are important. They can do so because, were you to choose any weekend at random, there is a race to watch, no matter how minor. Cycling?? Name more than one...Paris-Roubaix, Giro d'Italia?? They could be fashion designers for all anyone here knows. And there is the rub. How can we be expected to become familiar with or knowledgeable about anything we cannot regularly see? Why would the networks air a sport that no one is familiar with? Catch 22. Now I know that there are cable and satellite channels that are dedicated to the “chess club” sports. I however, refuse to sell my children to pay the steep prices necessary to obtain said channels (although I will rent them out for the right price…contact me directly).

Evidence would suggest then that cycling, despite all of its apparent appeal, is doomed to be relegated to the position of other “Oh…is it that time of year again?” sports. The World Cup, The America’s Cup, The World Men’s Curling Championship (we will save this one for a future post), all get their limited time in the sun here in the states despite the fact that soccer and sailing and, yes, curling take place throughout the year…somewhere. So, until the networks decide to throw me and the other three guys who care a bone by giving us a dose of our favorite import sports occasionally throughout the year, I’ll be here on the couch, wearing spandex and drinking Belgian Ale, whooping for my favorite racers as they start stage six, wishing that I wasn’t the only American who got it. Oh look! NASCAR’s on!! (click)

KL: The answer is a resounding "NO"!

And the question? Are the Clippers relevant? Apparently I asked this too soon. If I waited a week, then the answer would have been obvious as day is light and the question moot.

Elton Brand was the face of an ailing franchise that has shown glimmers of hope over the last decade. Two years ago, a playoff team and all was bright. After a step back, the Clippers appeared to be on track again. All was well and all was right in this world: Baron Davis was coming to town, and he and Brand would make a dynamic duo together. They would push Kobe Byrant off of the headlines in the Los Angeles Times. Though a dual power, Brand would unequivocally have been the face of this team, even as he was when Sam Cassell came to save the day in 2005. Elton the Heroic! Elton the Savior!

The Clippers most productive player never said one bad word while suffering with this down-and-out franchise. Even when he tried to escape in 2003 and signed an offer sheet with the Miami Heat for a maximum deal--and the Clippers matched! A first for the franchise at that time--he proclaimed to be happy to return as a Clipper. He does not have the typical mentality as the modern NBA player. He does not use his body as a forum for "art". Even before the rules were rigid, he dressed with respect. He is a high class, Duke-educated, businessman. Elton the Magnificent! Elton the Noble!

There is no need to go through the timeline of the why's and how's Elton Brand spurned the Clippers to join the 76ers in an offer that was not that much more lucrative. It has been reported on every media outlet repetitively. Yes, Elton said "I want to be a Clipper for life", about one month ago. Yes he indicated he would take less money in order to return so that the team can attract free agents. After, specifically asking Clipper management to go after Baron Davis, they did--and he came. Elton then goes silent. And high-tails out. One wonders what really happened here behind closed doors? From my perspective, all I see is a man going back on his word. Sure, it would have been one thing if the 76ers offered Brand a deal that the Clippers could not match. But it wasn't and they did. He follows in the footsteps of fellow Dukie Carlos Boozer in misleading and manipulating his own team. One wonders what is being taught under the tutelage of Coach K? Elton the Liar! Elton the Betrayer!

But in the end, can you really blame him for moving close to his hometown in New York, moving to a weaker conference, and grasping at a breath of fresh air? Would you not feel slighted if you were the best player on you own team, yet the second best player in the same town? He did nothing but what the Clippers asked of him over the last seven years. He did not complain despite, at times, being in a very difficult situation. For the first time in his career he had a choice in his future. He is, after all a free agent. And he choose to flee from the franchise that seemingly is cursed. Can you really blame him? No matter how hard I try to dislike the man for this action, I just cannot. While I may not like it, I cannot fault him. He is, after all, a businessman making a business decision. Elton the Shrewd! Elton the Discerning!

KL: Are the Clippers relevant now?

Yes, I am ecstatic that my Clips somehow managed to steal Baron Davis from the Warriors yesterday. Yes, to think that even 8 years ago that Clippers owner Donald Sterling would shell out even $20 to the local pizzeria would be nothing short of a miracle--and now he is giving Baron Davis 65 mil over the next 5 years? Well, surprisingly, this is no longer the story ever since the Clippers locked up Elton Brand and Corey Maggette to long term deals circa 2003. Since then they have been giving out money to whoever will take it. Even the annually lazy Tim Thomas has a long-term, multi-million deal in his pocket from the suddenly spendy Clippers. Hey, Sam Cassell is 38 years old, let's give him a two-year contract!

But, should I really get my hopes up this time? I mean, what makes it different than any other year? On paper, the last 7 or 8 years, The Clippers have had a nice 'young' team. On paper. Then stuff happens. Injuries, busts, disappointments, attitudes; you name it: it has happened.

Let's look at the choices that have been made in only one area: drafting.

2007 - (14) Al Thorton, FSU: I will give them a pass here; for the 14th player selected, he was the most productive rookie in the 2007-2008 class not named Kevin Durant.
2006 - No pick here.
2005 - (12) Yaroslav Korolev, Russia: Drafted in 2005. Out of the league in 2007.
2004 - (4) Shaun Livingston, High School: All the potential left with one ugly injury.
2003 - (6) Chris Kaman, Central Michigan: I will give Pass #2 here. This goofy white guy is a top 5 center in this center-depleted league.
2002 - (8) Chris Wilcox, Maryland; (12) Melvin Ely, Fresno St: Wilcox was misused by the coach and it was then turned into a trade for Vladimir Radmonovic who jetted out as soon as he could; the money left over turned into the aforementioned (and enigmatic) Tim Thomas. Remind me who Melvin Ely is again?
2001 - (2) Tyson Chandler, High School: Pass #3. Chandler turned into Elton Brand a few minutes after being drafted. This is almost as lopsided as the Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol heist.
2000 - (3) Darius Miles, High School: The high flying Miles retired around the ripe age of 26.

Okay, I will give the Clippers 3 quality decisions that came out of the last 8 drafts: Brand, Thornton, and Kaman. But 5 of these selections were top 10 picks! Interestingly, the draft picks of the 1990's were even worse--led by 1998's #1 selection of Michael Olowakandi. Granted, some of these decisions seem fine when they were made. Who wasn't happy to see Darius Miles or Shaun Livingston play for this squad? Who isn't happy--to see Baron Davis added? See how this logic works? In other words, initial happiness leads to disaster with this team. Until proven otherwise.

With the Clippers fortune, Davis' notorious back problems will resurface during training camp, and Brand will blow out his other achilles. Yet, despite all of these things, I will still hold out hope one day that this team will turn the corner. And even if Baron Davis leads this team as Sam Cassell did in 2006, they need more than just one playoff run to "turn the corner". They need an organizational-wide transplant in their entire philosophy. In the meantime, I can still be found deriving enjoyment while watching the Clippers. I also am interested in other self-inflicted wounds.