2008-2009 Finish: 49-33

What went well

When GM Lee took over late last season we knew this would be a GM unlike anything the normally sub-par Clippers had seen before. He started out benching superstar Lebron James, probably in an effort to tank and regroup. Like a few other NLL squads, the Clippers were a team neglected for a long time. But those days seem over as GM Lee brought out a pretty damned big broom and began to clean house.

Even before the season began, GM Lee decided to shake up the Clippers' roster. Longtime starting forward Chris Wilcox, the disappointing Tyrus Thomas and soon-to-be rookie phenom Eric Gordon were sent to Phoenix for Emanuel Ginobili and Charlie Villanueva. Morris Peterson also got the heave-ho, banished to Oklahoma for Luther Head and Fabricio Oberto. Finally, Lee sent Greg Buckner to the Bobcats for Darko "This Will Be His Year, Really" Milicic. Though the GM could only attract lower-tier free agents, they did make a smart purchase in Dahntay Jones.

Perhaps the biggest decision GM Lee made was moving King James to the power forward slot. As the Clippers continued to win, other GMs cried foul at this decision to play small ball. It seemed while the rest of the Clippers floundered (and most did) no one could stop James.


What went bad

As the season progressed, GM continued to fine tune. He sent off long time center Kendrick Perkins to the Lakers for athletic small forward Travis Outlaw. He also used his players out of position. A lot. If there is one maxim in the NLL, it's you will never succeed by attempting to exploit the game. Don't worry. GM Lee didn't win. In fact, Denver swept them in the second round. Back to the drawing board for GM Lee.

Stars

- Lebron James, F-

Let's face it, Lebron James IS the Clippers. 33 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 61% shooting. This guy is a monster. Though every day there seems to be a rumor claiming James would be happier in another city, he's been in this league for six years and he's still in Los Angeles. He is the team's bread and butter. He knows it, GM Lee knows it, the entire NLL knows it. And he's only 24.


- Charlie Villanueva, PF –

Though mostly used off the bench, Charlie V was a distant second to James. He scored when they needed him to score, he provided banging defense when required and definitely shook off the slump that plagued him in Denver and Phoenix. It is also a contract year, so maybe the big V was wise to that as well.


Goats

- Emanuel Ginobili, G –

This guy could not seem to stay healthy, making the much touted pairing of Manu and LBJ not worth the marquee billing. He played in only 44 games for the Clippers, shot a woeful 43% and had his worst scoring average since his days off the bench in San Antonio. Though he is optimistic about his health, GM Lee certainly wasn't. To make matters worse, the guy they traded to get Manu (Eric Gordon) plays the same position and does a much better job for it.



- Darko Milicic, C–

Should we just change this section from "Goats" to "Darkos?" Isn't time to label this guy a bust already? After Charlotte finally gave up on him, GM Lee figured a change of scenery maybe would make a difference. Wrong. Darko has already been sent onto another team and the good people of Los Angeles can forget he was ever here.

Looking to the future

The Clippers wasted no time making scapegoats for the team's pathetic playoff performance against the Nuggets. After ditching draft picks for spare parts Roko Ukic and Luc Mbah a Moute, the Clippers banished Ginobili and Josh Boone to Memphis for overpaid stud Rashard Lewis, Alando Tucker and the rights to Omri Casspi. Then they really splashed out and gambled by sending Milicic, Outlaw, the rights to Casspi and Reyshawn Terry to Minnesota for Antawn Jamison. Just like that, the weak pieces were flushed away.

Unfortunately, these moves leave the Clippers in a weakened state for next season. Lewis, James and Jamison are all very similar players. A James-Jamison forward tandem looks nice, but right now Lewis is slated to play shooting guard. Lewis is not a shooting guard. He is too slow. Remember the maxim, Lee....

There lies the problem. Too many eggs in one basket. Right now, starting with the big three are Louis Amundson at center and Ukic at point guard. Yuck! There are no rookies coming in. The team is just barely under the salary cap. The only other players signed are Tucker, Oberto, Mbah a Moute and some guy named Sonny Weems. Both Jones and Villanueva are looking for big paydays. They are also talking about leaving. So what to do? Trade Lewis. No one will want Jamison. He's 33 with 3 years left. Lewis can be converted into 3-4 quality players. Though GM Lee has enough clout to pull in one or two good free agents, this team is a three man show when it should be at least 10. These three guys cannot co-exist. The Clippers magical run may have ended before it even started.