This post got started after a comment left in my last post and also because I don’t want this blog to be all about game recaps.  I’m pretty sure I can do better than that.

So as of right now, the Clippers currently have 3 rookies on guaranteed contracts in Blake Griffin, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Eric Bledsoe.  Technically I still have to call Blake Griffin a rookie because he did not play a single game last season (darn you Craig Smith).  And we also got two other rookies that are on the roster but can be cut any time in Willie Warren and Marquis Blakely.  Willie Warren was Blake Griffin’s teammate back in Oklahoma and was considered a lottery pick back in 2009.  His stock has quietly fallen in the last season of college ball because he was trying too hard to be the number one guy for the Sooners but just couldn’t do it without the help of Mister Griffin by his side.  I do not know much about Marquis Blakely besides the fact that he is an athletic forward who can dunk.  But because neither of them played in preseason, this post shall be about the three main rookies.

Clippers GM traded a first round pick for Eric Bledsoe so I’m sure he is banking on him to be the point guard of the future.  Anyone who watched summer league this year can see that there is a lot of work for Bledsoe.  He is turnover prone and really out of control.  He logged 30 minutes in his first game of preseason and contributed 9 points, 1 assist, and 3 rebounds.  Oh yeah, there was also 6 turnovers too but because it was the first game and it seemed like every Clipper had at least 2 turnovers, I shall let it slide.  He did not even play in the next game against the Kings and every game since then, he logged in few minutes or had a DNP.  One would expect rookies to have more minutes during preseason but seeing how the Clippers have a new coach, new system, and a lot of new players, I think Vinny Del Negro wants the rotation players to log in as much minutes as possible first.  Eric Bledsoe does seem to be developing some bright spots, being able to record 3 assists in only 5 minutes of playing time against Denver.  Using advanced statistics (or simple multiplication) that would mean 21 assists in 36 minutes of playing time, wouldn’t that be amazing?  He is still turning the ball over a lot though because in that same game, he had 2 turnovers in those 5 minutes.  Dude needs to learn how to hold the ball.  But Baron Davis has enough skills to mentor Eric Bledsoe and mold him into an elite point guard, and possibly midway through the season, Del Negro would become more comfortable giving Bledsoe more minutes.

Next up is Al-Farouq Aminu.  The lottery pick and hopefully future small forward of the Clippers.  He also has not received much playing time recently.  His last game with over 15 minutes of of game time was against the Warriors where he logged in 28 minutes and he scored 13 points while grabbing 4 rebounds which is pretty decent in my book.  The 2 for 7 three point shooting irks me but Aminu was never known as a lights out shooter so I don’t expect him to always make his threes.  Like Bledsoe, Aminu still has a lot of developing to do and will take some time.  He has a great nose for the ball though and anyone that watches him play will see him attacking the boards going after rebounds almost all the time.  Lack of playing time can be explained the same with Bledsoe.  He’s a rookie that needs more work and his development can take a backseat to team and chemistry development for preseason.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts getting more playing time somewhere in the season just as Eric Gordon and Al Thornton did in their rookie years (and both still ended up in rookie first team of the season).

Blake Griffin = Beast.  To say that he has been anything short of spectacular this preseason is an understatement.  All the people watching Clippers games can see that he is hungry to prove himself after a missed year.  He is averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds so far in preseason.  Against the Spurs when he was having a really bad shooting night, he still took down 17 rebounds.  Every game, he’s throwing down dunks like his ex-girlfriend is at the bottom of the rim.  Forget John Wall, Blake Griffin is the number one candidate for rookie of the year right now (yes I’m allowed to be biased).   There really isn’t any more I have to say about him.  Blake Griffin is the player that the Clippers needed ever since Elton Brand left, ever since Shaun Livingston became crippled, and ever since the entertaining and talented Darius Miles was traded away (I kidd).  But he still needs to develop a jumpshot so the defense can stop leaving him open to take one.  His free throws is also kind of horrendous too.  It’s not on a DeAndre Jordan level but could still use some work.  Some post moves would be nice too or else he would be stuck on an Amare Stoudamire level of offensive skills.  Defensively, he’s on point, I don’t see any huge issues there.  But once he gains more offensive moves in his arsenal, he’ll truly become unstoppable.

Notes from the game

• Eric Gordon and Baron Davis did not play.  Baron Davis still has some conditioning problems and Clippers have been pretty quiet about Gordon.  All they said was that they pulled him out of practice early to rest.  I think Coach VDN wanted to play the other players more and there’s no big secret injury in play right now.
• Willie Warren also didn’t play and neither did Voskuhl.  I’m pretty sure Voskuhl is cut from the team.  Don’t know the issue about Warren though.
• Portland had a 59% 3point percentage.  They made 16-27 treys with Fernandez leading the team with 5 threes.  Eric Gordon’s perimeter defense was sorely missed in this game and it shows.
• 26 turnovers by the Clippers.  17 of them coming from rookies.  Bledsoe led with 6 TOs and Griffin with 5.  It’s the first game and they’re still developing so I’m not going to worry much about it.  They just need to learn how to take care of the ball more.
• Chris Kaman finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.  Not really gaudy numbers but still the best numbers of the roster.
• Blake Griffin finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 turnovers.  I was expecting something better but this is his first real game since preseason last year so I’m not going to worry much.
• Aminu finished with 1 point, no rebounds, and 4 turnovers.  He also fouled out.  I feel like he is going to be a long project but if everything pans out, it’ll be worth it in the end.
• Brian Cook, the huge disappointing free agent signing of the offseason surprisingly did well.  He had 9 points and did with 80% field goal percentage.  I’m not expecting him to be a huge star or anything, but at least now I’m not that disappointed in the signing.  He could be a good lift off the bench at times.
• If matchups went accordingly, it looked like LaMarcus Aldridge had his way with Blake Griffin.  He finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds.
• 5 players in the Blazers had double digits in points while Clippers only had Chris Kaman.  This is one of those games where a good ball distributor was missed.  For everyone calling for Baron Davis’ head, don’t forget that he is probably the only true point guard we have until Eric Bledsoe develops more.

This is the first game of the preseason and a huge learning experience.  No one should get worried yet.  If things don’t improve in a week or so, then that’s when the panic button should be hit.

Next game is tomorrow at Sacramento against the Kings at 7PM.  Not sure if it is going to be televised.  Should be a treat watching Tyreke Evans faceoff against Blake Griffin.