Great Expectations: LA Clippers 12-13 Preview (Pt. 1)

For the majority of Clippers fans, it was a brutal blow when the team decided to pick up the option on coach Vinny Del Negro. While the former Spur isn’t a terrible coach, he certainly is not one of the top 10 coaches in the league, and with a record of 154-158 over his four seasons, has not shown the talent or acumen that makes one think he could become one someday.

If this was five years ago, having a coach like Del Negro wouldn’t be a problem. He is, at the very least, not Mike Dunleavy.

However, this is not five years ago. In 2013, Clippers expectations begin at making the conference finals, while many on the team would consider nothing less than a championship a lost season.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 2)

In the 2011-12 season, the Philadelphia 76ers had an up-and-down campaign because they were an elite defensive team (for half the season) that relied on transition offense triggered by quick, active, pressure defense. Pace-wise, they were one of the slower squads, which was unfortunate because when things slowed down, they didn’t have the types of players who could dominate multiple possessions and make things happen in the half court.

Enter Bynum, who is a traditional, back-to-the-basket, power center who excels in the halfcourt. At first glance, eHarmony couldn’t have found a more ideal partner.

But by both widening the scope as well as focusing in on the details, this marriage could end up closer to Kardashian/Humphries than Grant and Tamia Hill.