Once teammates at Georgia, both Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie reunite as they were both drafted by the LA Clippers (Picture courtesy of Espn.com)

As I pointed out in my introduction to the site, we have a lot to talk about since this site has been inactive for around five months. One of those things that we need to talk about is the 2011 NBA Draft, reviewing and grading the selections that the LA Clippers made in that draft. So, why wait? let’s review and grade the selections that the Clippers made in the 2011 NBA Draft right now.

The Clippers did not have a first round pick since they traded it to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a package deal that included Baron Davis going to the Cleveland Cavaliers (THANK YOU) and Mo Williams along with Jamario Moon to the LA Clippers. Sadly that first round pick that was given to the Cavaliers was unprotected, which ended up turning into the first pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. Yes, there were some Clipper fans that were disappointed because they initially lost out on the opportunity to have both Kyrie Irving and Blake Griffin on the floor together, but most Clipper fans were content with the deal because it got rid of Baron Davis’s horrible contract, which will help a lot financially down the line. All wasn’t bad though because they still had solid second round picks (37 and 47). Speaking about those two second round picks, Let’s take a look at whom the selected with both of those second round selections and grade them on both of those selections.
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My initial thought was to start with Eric Gordon, as his inclusion in the Team USA roster makes him the most newsworthy. But leading with any of the starting five might dampen interest in the later entries, so we’re going to start with one of the newest Clippers, G Randy Foye.

Foye is a fifth-year guard from Villanova who was selected seventh overall by Boston in the 2006 draft – but who then watched as his rights were first traded to Portland and then later to Minnesota on draft night in moves that had to be a quick wake-up call as to the business realities of the NBA.

In Minnesota, Foye increased his scoring average every year, from just over 10 points per game his rookie year to just over 13 points per game his second year to just over 16 points per his third and final year on the Timberwolves. He was traded again that summer to Washington, where he saw his minutes and scoring decline on a team that started the season with a guard heavy roster.

This summer, he was a sought after free agent who signed a two-year deal with the Clippers for a reported $8.5 million.

Foye provides an experienced combo guard off the bench for the Clippers, someone who has the ability to bring the ball up the floor to spell Baron Davis at the point and who has the size and shooting skill needed to give Eric Gordon relief at the two guard spot. His career shooting percentage is a respectable 41.9% and he has proven that he has the ability to get to the rim and finish or draw a foul and get to the line.

Foye’s presence on the roster means the team will not have to pin their back up PG hopes on rookie Eric Bledsoe nor their back up combo guard on rookie Willie Warren, good things as those guys adjust to the pro game and find their niche this season.

The signing of Foye barely raised eyebrows in the national media, let alone here in Clipperland, but the Neil Olshey and the front office have shown that they have a plan for this team and signing a proven guy who can provide offense off the bench to a cap-friendly contract is a good move towards providing some stability on a roster that has been devoid of stability of late.