Los Angeles Clippers Blog – Page 14 – NBA Blog

Boban Marjanovic scores 13 points in 16 minutes for Clippers

Whenever Boban Marjanovic makes an appearance on the court, it’s a fun event. And it needs to happen more often, because he has a habit of scoring around a point per minute when he gets to string a bunch of minutes together. At least, that’s what it feels like. Normally we’d go check the stats and give an exact number, but in this case just enjoy the magic of the Boban and read what happened yesterday. Here’s the OC Register reporting:

Trust him, Coach Doc Rivers told his Clippers before Friday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they’ve got stuff worth sticking to.

In a 108-92 victory against the Thunder – who were without superstar guard Russell Westbrook, who continued his recovery from arthroscopic right knee surgery – the Clippers looked secure in their sets until they didn’t … and then they did again when it mattered most.

The coalescing that needed to hurry and happen for the Clippers (1-1) to close out games was found Friday, at least, with a lineup that featured Luc Mbah a Moute, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lou Williams, Boban Marjanovic and Tobias Harris, whose 14 fourth-quarter points led the late charge before 14,816 fans at Staples Center…

After being mostly stymied in three minutes of first-half action, Marjanovic entered the game late in the third quarter to cause some of the havoc Clippers fans have come to love from him.

The 7-foot-3 center plucked five rebounds off the rim and scored 13 points in 15 minutes, picking up for Gallinari, who cheered enthusiastically from the bench alongside fellow starters Bradley and Patrick Beverley.

Clippers trade Wesley Johnson to Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired forward Wesley Johnson from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for center Alexis Ajinca.

In a subsequent transaction, the Clippers then waived Ajinca.

“Wes is a versatile player and a consummate professional who impacts the game on both ends of the court, and brings a strong, positive presence to the locker room,” said Frank. “We want to thank Wes for his contributions to the Clippers organization, and wish him, and his family, the best of luck in New Orleans.”

Johnson, 31, averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.8 minutes across 222 appearances (52 starts) in three seasons with L.A. The eight-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 22.7 minutes through 571 games (321 starts) with the Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. The Corsicana, Texas native was originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the 4th pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-7 forward played his first two years of collegiate basketball at Iowa State before transferring to Syracuse.

Ajinca, 30, holds career averages of 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 293 appearances in seven NBA seasons with Charlotte, Dallas, Toronto and New Orleans. A native of Saint-Etienne, France, the 7’2”, 248-pound center was selected 20th overall by Charlotte in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Clippers waive Jawun Evans as opening night approaches

The L.A. Clippers have waived guard Jawun Evans.

“We had a productive and very competitive training camp and preseason, and all of our players deserve to be on the team. As difficult as these decisions can be, we are very proud of this group and excited to begin the season with them,” said Frank. “Jawun is a highly competitive, intelligent player who worked extremely hard this summer and throughout camp. We are grateful for Jawun’s contributions to the Clippers and wish him the absolute best moving forward.”

Evans, 22, appeared in 48 games in his rookie season with L.A., averaging 4.8 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. A product of Oklahoma State, he led the Big 12 in scoring (19.2 ppg), was an AP All-America Honorable Mention selection and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team as a sophomore. He was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2015-16 and was a McDonald’s and Parade All-American out of Kimball High School in Dallas.

Clippers waive Jamel Artis

The L.A. Clippers have waived guard Jamel Artis.

Artis, 25, spent last season on a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, appearing in 15 games and averaging 5.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.6 minutes. The 6’7”, 213-pound guard appeared in 46 games (all starts) for the Lakeland Magic, averaging 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field in 37.5 minutes. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Artis received an All-ACC honorable mention in his final collegiate season.

Clippers sign guard Jamel Artis

The L.A. Clippers have signed guard Jamel Artis.

Clippers waive forward Desi Rodriguez

The L.A. Clippers waived forward Desi Rodriguez today.

Rodriguez, 22, appeared in two preseason games for L.A., tallying one assist and one steal in 9.3 minutes. The 6’6”, 220-pound swingman appeared in six games for the Clippers in the 2018 Las Vegas NBA Summer league, averaging 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 21.6 minutes. Rodriguez played four collegiate seasons at Seton Hall University, appearing in 129 games (97 starts) and averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting 36 percent from three-point range in 26.3 minutes. He was named to the Second Team All-Big East as a senior, after averaging 17.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in his final collegiate season.

Doc Rivers discusses the state of the Clippers

Here’s the Daily Breeze reporting what Clippers coach Doc Rivers had to say about his squad as the 2018-19 season approaches:

Instead of teeing it up on a golf course, Doc Rivers spent Wednesday morning on a terrace at the Clippers Training Center, sipping coffee and explaining to reporters why, entering his sixth season as the Clippers coach, he’s so excited about the challenge that his job presents.

“I could’ve stayed in Boston and been safe, but you want the challenge, and I looked at the Clippers as the ultimate challenge,” said Rivers, who was joined Wednesday by Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of basketball operations.

“Historically, we’ve had some shaky (times),” Rivers continued. “But lately we’ve been really good, we just haven’t been the best. And my two goals are, one, to win a title, and two, when you hear that (Clippers) name, you think very positive.

“When you hear free agents and they say, ‘L.A.,’ they’re just not meaning the other team. Five, six years ago, you didn’t hear that, but now … when people say, ‘I want to go to L.A.,’ they mean both teams. And sometimes they mean only our team. To me, that’s a level of success that tells you that we’re doing something right here.”

Full article

Clippers hire writer Lee Jenkins

Here’s the Daily Breeze reporting on the news that the Clippers have hired Lee Jenkins, who for years has been writing for Sports Illustrated:

Lee Jenkins, Sports Illustrated’s lead NBA writer for the past eight years, has agreed to join the Clippers’ front office, according to the team, which confirmed the hiring in a news release Monday night. Jenkins will serve as the franchise’s executive director of research and identity; he’ll work with President Lawrence Frank and General Manager Michael Winger.

In the new position – the first of its kind for any NBA team, according to the Clippers – Jenkins will use his extensive reporting background and unique interviewing style to contribute to the franchise’s amateur and professional scouting infrastructure and to “enhance the Clipper experience.”

“Lee has spent his career profiling elite athletes, including most of the top players in the NBA,” Frank said in the release. “Given Lee’s talent, knowledge, and credibility, we hope to blend his approach with our existing evaluation systems and highlight the personalities of our players. He is the NBA’s preeminent storyteller and adding him to the team is a reflection of Steve’s commitment to innovation and building a best-in-class organization.”

Full article

Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler to retire after 2018-19 season

As he enters his 40th season as the “Voice of the Clippers,” legendary broadcaster Ralph Lawler has announced his plan to retire after the 2018-19 NBA season. Over the course of his tenure, his commentary has captivated fans across the sports world, creating a legacy that will last far beyond his final season.

“My wife Jo and I have grappled with this decision annually for 15 years. I now realize that I have spent half of my 80 years as a part of this team. The Clippers are a big part of my life’s DNA,” said Lawler. “Yet, it is important that we have some ‘life after basketball.’ The current ownership and management team has been so supportive, and we are forever grateful for our years with the Clippers. I cannot express how much I appreciate the fans. I am looking forward to thanking as many of them as possible in person during this final season.”

Lawler, 80, joined the then San Diego Clippers in the team’s first year in California, 1978, where he spent six years before moving with the Clippers to Los Angeles. Since, he has called more than 3,100 games. Lawler has distinguished himself as one of the broadcasting industry’s elite, as he is one of a very few announcers who has called games in each of the four major U.S. Sports Leagues: NFL (Chargers), MLB (Phillies), NHL (Flyers) and NBA (Clippers and 76ers).

“Ralph Lawler isn’t just the voice of the team, he has been the heart and soul of the Clippers,” said Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer. “Ralph has lived every single moment with this team and been an essential connection between us and our fans, who rightfully adore him. We will treasure every moment with Ralph and his wife Jo this season, and miss him incredibly next year. I’m looking forward to celebrating Ralph and his legacy, and want to sincerely thank him for everything that he has done for and meant to this team. His will be large shoes to fill.”

Lawler’s commitment to his craft has been recognized with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, three Emmys, a Telly Award and inductions into the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the California Sports Hall of Fame.

Clippers match Pelicans offer sheet, retain Tyrone Wallace

The L.A. Clippers have exercised their right of first refusal and will retain guard Tyrone Wallace.

Per NBA rule, the Clippers had two days to match the offer sheet provided to Wallace by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Wallace spent training camp with Los Angeles before the club’s G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, acquired his returning player rights from the Salt Lake City Stars in October 2017. He spent the early part of the 2017-18 season with Agua Caliente, appearing in 26 games and averaged 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. On January 6, Wallace signed a two-way contract with the L.A. Clippers, appearing in 30 games for Los Angeles and averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 28.4 minutes.

“We identified Tyrone as a versatile, competitive and tough-minded player who adds to the organizational culture,” said Frank. “Ty worked hard with our staff at Agua Caliente and Los Angeles, and his growth has been a reflection of his commitment to getting better. Together with our team’s player development program, Ty demonstrated impressive improvement and contributed meaningfully to our team last season. We are excited to welcome Ty back to the Clippers.”

A native of Bakersfield, CA, Wallace was selected 60th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2016 NBA Draft out of the University of California, Berkeley.