Aminu. Calm down, homie.

 This last fact of fandom is why a game between an LA Clipper team with it’s playoff chances just about flatlined and a floundering Orlando Magic team that got throttled by Boston a few days ago was voted onto the NBAtv Fan Night (or as Charles Barkley calls it, “Nerd Night”). Yes, the casual fan loves the high wire acts of both Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard, but the more discerning fan wants more than just hops and treys, they want actual analysis of their beloved Clip Show. I watched, I critiqued, I drank lemonade, I watched some more, and I broke this game all the way down to it’s bare essentials. The question, though- how can I break this down? Charts? Boring old recap? Puppet show? I took meticulous notes, pulled the curtain back a little. Be strong, it’s not always pretty, but let’s look at the night the LA Clippers had, for better or worst… (more…)

Cook previously played for 3 teams, most recently the Rockets, where he saw action in just 15 games last season.

I haven’t seen the contract to know whether or not the second year is guaranteed, but it seems odd to give a guy who hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season but twice in a 7 year career a two year deal, even at the inexpensive cap number the Clippers signed him for.

When healthy, Cook has shown an ability to hit the three-point shot with some consistency, as evidenced by his nearly 40% career shooting percentage from beyond the arc. He’s not much of a rebounder even when given substantial minutes, something that might add to his value with the Clippers when he’s paired in the front court with Chris Kaman and Craig Smith, if Cook’s ability to hit the three can draw post defenders away from Kaman and Smith. But he’s not going to be able to be paired well with Blake Griffin, as Griffin will need room to move with and without the ball in his hands. All his detriments and matchup problems fade if he shows he can still be a dead-eye shooter from beyond the arc, but for a guy who’s played less than 50 games combined the past two seasons, I’m not exactly optimistic his stroke will return.

Aside from the cap-friendly aspect of Cook’s contract, this isn’t a great signing for the Clippers. I understand they have to fill out their roster and Cook is a veteran with playoff experience, but if he can’t shake off the rust that has come from not playing regular minutes the past two seasons and consistently hit the three-pointer this season, he will likely spend a lot of time in street clothes on the team’s inactive list.

While the contract value makes Cook’s addition something with increased value, especially for such a bottom-line focused team such as the Clippers, it’s not a signing that is going to inspire anyone.