30 Days 30 Grades: Day 13 Western Conference NBA Team L.A. Clippers off-season grade

Welcome to day 13 of my 30 blog series titled "30 Days 30 Grades".  Today I am going to be talking about one of the NBA teams that is based in Los Angeles.  The team I am going to talk about is the Pacific Division Los Angeles Clippers.   Here are the four things I'm going to do , 1)  I'm going to give my Clippers off-season grade, 2) I'm going to give a list of players added whether it be through the draft, free agency or a trade.  3)  I'm going to talk about the players that are subtracted from the team whether it be to another team in free agency, traded away or waived, and finally 4)  I will explain why I gave the Clippers the grade I gave them.  Please understand that I write all my articles from the prospective of an NBA fan.  I welcome your opinion.



L.A. Clippers off-season Grade:  A+



Los Angeles Clippers Players Added:  CJ Wilcox, Spencer Hawes, Ekpe Udoh, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Jordan Farmar





Clippers Players Subtracted:  Darren Collison, Danny Granger, Jared Dudley, Willie Green, Carlos Delfino, Miroslav Raduljica




Why did I give the Pacific Division Western Conference NBA Team the Los Angeles Clippers an A Plus?  I gave the Clippers an A+, because they finally addressed something that the last few years I feel they didn't address at all.  They finally added some depth at the power forward and center position.  I love the signing of Spencer Hawes, because now with 4 to 5 minutes to go in the game, you have Hawes who can shoot free throws much better than DeAndre Jordan.   Hawes last year averaged 13.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, and averaged 1 block per game. Hawes shot 46% from the field, 44% from three point range, and 78% from the free throw line.  Having Hawes will stretch opposing teams big men out to the three point line.  I like the signing of Ekpe Udoh ,because it gives the Clippers a third player at center or power forward to come in when other players are in foul trouble. Udoh averaged 1 block per game in 19 minutes of playing time.  Udoh is not knowing for scoring as much as he is for defense.  I'm proud the Clippers finally addressed their needs at the 4 and 5 spots. I was on forums like year like www.nbadraft.net screaming that the Clippers should have signed Drew Gooden.   I haven't heard much about the 28th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft rookie shooting guard CJ Wilcox, except that I heard he is a solid defender and was one of the top shooters at the 2014 NBA Draft Combine.  The Clippers need defense at the two spot.  The Clippers also added point guard Jordan Farmar, who losing Darren Collison to the Kings, Farmar is a solid pickup.  Farmar shot 43 percent from three point range last year for the Lakers.  Jordan Farmar averaged over 10 points per game and almost 5 assists per game.  Chris Douglas- Roberts is an okay small forward to add to this roster. Douglas- Roberts shot 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from three point range.  I think that Doc Rivers should start Matt Barnes though at the small forward and bring Douglas- Roberts off the bench.   What are your thoughts on the Clippers off-season?  What grade would you give them?  Do you agree with my grade? Why or why not? Send me your comments.  I can't wait for Clippers basketball to begin. Thank you for reading Pro Basketball Hoops Land.  The blog where you can read NBA articles, send comments and purchase pro basketball merchandise like players jerseys, mugs and rugs.