Los Angeles Clippers Blog – Page 33 – NBA Blog

Clippers sign Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ekpe Udoh

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that they have signed free agent forward/guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and forward/center Ekpe Udoh.

“Chris and Ekpe are two versatile players who bring depth and a strong presence to our team,” Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “We are excited to add them to the roster.”

Douglas-Roberts, 27, appeared in 49 games (eight starts) last season with the Charlotte Bobcats averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.7 minutes per game. During his five-year NBA career, the Detroit native has appeared in 210 career regular season games with New Jersey, Milwaukee, Dallas and Charlotte. He holds career averages of 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes per game.

Originally drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, Douglas-Roberts played three seasons at the University of Memphis, where he was a consensus first-team All-American and the Conference USA Player of the Year as a junior in 2008. During his junior season, he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, helping to lead the Tigers to the National Championship game. Douglas-Roberts averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 109 games (100 starts) at Memphis.

Udoh, 27, appeared in 42 games (14 starts) last season with the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game. During his four-year NBA career, the Oklahoma City native has appeared in 237 games (52 starts) with Golden State and Milwaukee. He holds career averages of 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game.

Originally drafted sixth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by Golden State, Udoh played three seasons of college basketball. His first two seasons of college were spent at the University of Michigan before transferring to Baylor University for his junior season. At Baylor, Udoh was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and a second-team All-Big 12 selection. He averaged 13.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.7 assists in 36 games (all starts) helping lead the Bears to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

Clippers waive Carlos Delfino and Miroslav Raduljica

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that the team has waived guard/forward Carlos Delfino and center Miroslav Raduljica.

Delfino and Raduljica were acquired by the Clippers on August 26, 2014 in exchange for forward Jared Dudley and a protected 2017 first round draft pick.

Doc Rivers, Clippers agree to long-term contract

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers has agreed to a contract that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2019 season.

“This is an important day for this organization,” Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said. “I am excited to work with Doc for a long time as we build a championship culture that will deliver results both on and off the court. Not only is Doc one of the best coaches and executives in the game, but he continually embodies the hard core, committed and resilient character and winning culture that the Clippers represent. It was one of my top priorities to ensure that he was firmly in place as the long-term leader of this team.”

According to the Orange County Register, “the deal will pay Rivers more than $50 million, a figure first reported by Yahoo! Sports. At more than $10 million per year, Rivers is believed to be the highest-paid coach in American professional sports, though he’s also the team’s primary basketball decision maker.”

Rivers took over as head coach of the Clippers in June 2013 and led Los Angeles to the best record in franchise history (57-25, .695) and a second straight Pacific Division title. He became President of Basketball Operations on June 16, 2014.

“Steve has shown a clear and determined desire to make the Clippers one of the most elite, first-class and championship organizations in all of professional sports,” Rivers said. “We know we have work to do to get there, but I am motivated by the challenge and thankful for the opportunity to stand together with Steve as we continue to move toward our goal of winning an NBA title.”

Entering his 16th season as a head coach, Rivers is one of just three active coaches (Gregg Popovich, Flip Saunders) to win at least 600 games and his 644 career regular season wins is second among active coaches in victories. The 1999-2000 NBA Coach of the Year, Rivers led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship. A former Clippers point guard (1991-92), Rivers coached in Boston from 2004-2013 and prior to that led the Orlando Magic from 1999-2003.

Clippers trade Jared Dudley to Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired forward Jared Dudley and a 2017 conditional first round draft pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for forward Carlos Delfino, center Miroslav Raduljica and a 2015 second round draft pick (previously received from the L.A. Clippers), General Manager John Hammond announced today.

“Jared is a great teammate, I thank him for all his hard work on and off the floor on our behalf,” Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “Jared is a true professional and we wish him all the best in Milwaukee.”

A seven-year NBA veteran from Boston College, Dudley, 29, holds career averages of 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Originally selected by Charlotte with the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Dudley has shot 46.9 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from the 3-point arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line in 523 career games (190 starts) with the Bobcats, Suns and Clippers. His best statistical season came in 2011-12 when he averaged 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor.

Delfino, 31, missed the entire 2013-14 season while recovering from a foot injury suffered during the 2013 NBA playoffs. The nine-year NBA veteran from Santa Fe, Argentina, has averaged 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 507 career NBA games (170 starts) for Milwaukee, Houston, Toronto and Detroit. He was originally selected by the Pistons with the 25th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Raduljica, 26, signed with the Bucks as a free agent prior to the 2013-14 campaign. In 48 games for Milwaukee, he averaged 3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists in his rookie campaign. A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Raduljica first represented his country in international competition at the European U16 Championships in 2004.

Mark Cuban says new Clippers owner is great for the league

Here’s ESPN Dallas reporting Mavs owner Mark Cuban’s opinion on the Clippers, who with Donald Sterling gone have a new owner:

New Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer drew comparisons to Mark Cuban with his high-fiving, chest-bumping, shouting introduction to the franchise’s fan base last week.

The scene came as no surprise to the Dallas Mavericks owner, whose enthusiastic exhibitions had been unique among the NBA’s owners.

“I’ve known Steve for a long time, going back into my twenties, and he’s always been this way,” Cuban said during an appearance on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s “The Afternoon Show with Cowlishaw and Mosley” last week. “So this isn’t Steve Ballmer getting hyped just for the Clippers. This is just the way he is. He’s going to be great for the league.

“You know, in reality, I already know, knowing him, he’s going to be a lot calmer than I am. He’s great hyping people up in a sales environment, but it’ll be interesting to see him during a game. I hope he’s crazy, but I’m not expecting it.”

Latest appeal from Donald Sterling fails

Donald Sterling’s latest effort to block the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was rejected Wednesday by a California appeals court.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal issued a brief order Wednesday saying it couldn’t halt a sale that had been completed.

“The evidence before this court indicates the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to Steven Ballmer has closed,” the court wrote. “Thus, there is nothing for this court to stay.”

— AP

Sale complete: Steve Ballmer now officially owns the Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that the transaction in which Steve Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers closed today following the entry of an order by a California court confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling, on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, to sell the team.The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the sale and Mr. Ballmer is now the Clippers Governor.

“I am humbled and honored to be the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers,” Mr. Ballmer said. “Clipper fans are so amazing. They have remained fiercely loyal to our franchise through some extraordinary times. I will be hard core in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court. And we will do whatever necessary to provide our fans and their families with the best game-night experience in the NBA. I look forward to meeting our fans at our STAPLES Center Fan Festival on Monday, Aug. 18 at 12:30 pm PT.”

“This is an amazing new day in Clippers history,” Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “I couldn’t be more excited to work together with Steve as we continue to build a first-class, championship organization. I am already inspired by Steve’s passion for the game, his love of competition and desire to win the right way and I know our players and fans are going to be inspired as well.”

Donald Sterling may file more lawsuits

Here’s the Orange County Register with an update on Donald Sterling, who if the NBA has its way will soon no longer own the Los Angeles Clippers:

Shelly Sterling, Adam Silver, the NBA and Steve Ballmer will soon have company. Doctors Meril Platzer and James Spar and the UCLA Health System are on Donald Sterling’s litigation radar.

The banned Clippers owner intends to sue the doctors and UCLA Health System for disclosing his medical information to Shelly Sterling and her attorney, Pierce O’Donnell, according to Donald Sterling’s attorney, Bobby Samini.

The results of exams conducted by Spar and Platzer were used to oust Donald Sterling as a trustee, allowing his wife, Shelly, to sell the Clippers to Ballmer for $2 billion.

The distribution of those results was a key part of Donald Sterling’s defense, though it was ultimately shot down in probate court.

Blake Griffin back injury update

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles reporting the latest on Blake Griffin:

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who pulled out of Team USA practices to allow a small fracture in his back to heal, continues to work out and expects to be ready for next season.

“It’s less than a hairline, and my back is not fractured. Everything is still intact,” Griffin told the Los Angeles Times. “I can still come out here, and I can do my workouts, and I can do everything I used to do. I just shouldn’t be playing and practicing every day this early.”

Griffin left the Team USA training camp last month after doctors advised him to allow the injury to heal. He is working out in Los Angeles with teammate DeAndre Jordan and former Laker and Clipper Sasha Vujacic.

Sam Cassell likely joining Clippers staff

Here’s the Washington Post Blog with a report on assistant coach Sam Cassell:

Sam Cassell likely joining Clippers coaching staff

Sam Cassell is leaving the Washington Wizards after five seasons to take an assistant coaching position with the Los Angeles Clippers, people with knowledge of the situation confirmed Saturday.

Cassell joined the Wizards as a member of Flip Saunders’s staff in 2009, one year after winning a third championship in Boston with Doc Rivers, the current president and coach of the Clippers.

A reunion with Rivers has been rumored for several weeks, with the Clippers losing assistants Tyronn Lue (to Cleveland) and Alvin Gentry (to Golden State) this offseason.