Can Danny?

I'd like to throw my name into the mix for the apparently open job of General Manager of the Los Angeles Clippers. It's a franchise that's basically been a joke for years so, honestly, hiring me wouldn't even seem that insane for them. Also, I'd already be the best GM in team history if I just managed to walk into my office on the first day and not throw millions of dollars out the window. But to further support my candidacy, I'll throw some other ideas out there.

1. Rebranding 

Let's be honest, Clippers has become synonymous with losing. It's a team for which nobody wants to play and a game that most fans of opposing teams won't want to go to unless they just want to see a probable win for the home squad. The first thing this team needs to do is change their identity and start over.

I'm fond of the name "Villains". Let's just embrace being the bad guys. The problem with that is that in most stories the villains lose in the end so that wouldn't exactly change the teams negative outlook. A friend of mine always wanted an LA team to be named Los Angeles de la Muerte (aka The Angels of Death). I don't have a set idea for what the name should be but I would definitely recommend that the team consider rebranding itself ASAP.

2. The Coach

Mike Dunleavy Sr. has to go. That's obvious. Not only do I not want a disgruntled former GM running the team but he doesn't fit the roster that he's supplied himself. I'd be willing to take a reduced salary for a couple of years if it meant getting rid of Dunleavy.  

I'd love to get someone like Jeff Van Gundy but let's be honest, this team is a mess so I'm not sure someone like that is going to come here. Flip Saunders might not even want to put up with it. The guy I'd target to take over this squad is Dwayne Casey. Casey did a good job with a bad Timberwolves team. The only reason he lost his job was that the Wolves were bad and the front office had to blame someone for the mediocre record. Of course, after firing Casey, the team got even worse so it just proved that Casey was getting the most out of the personnel he had.

Guys like Sam Mitchell or Avery Johnson might be attractive but both of those guys have had a history of losing or clashing with players and the last thing this franchise needs is more locker room gossip.

3. The Roster

I have to be honest, there isn't really anyone on this roster that I'd want to keep. I'd look to dump the contracts immediately by making a movie like Zach Randolph and Baron Davis for Tracy McGrady and filler. Yeah, T-Mac is always banged up and might not be ready to play next year but that's fine. He's an expiring deal and if he's hurt, then insurance covers his salary and saves the team money.

Randolph would be the guy I look to move and I think his value might be a little better than it was after the disasterous season with the Knicks. I'd probably call the Bucks regarding Richard Jefferson or maybe the Bulls about some of their players. He'd be the first person on the block and I wouldn't be willng to take back dimes on the dollar for him (but not if it means taking on a longer contract).

I wouldn't give away Baron Davis unless I was also dumping another salary. If Kaman is in the deal, I'd expect something more than T-Mac and filler because Captain Kaveman is younger and actually works on defense.  I'd also look to move Al Thornton and might even want to sell high on Eric Gordon. I like Gordon but I'm just not sure his ceiling is as high as some people think it is right now.   

But most importantly, I'd build this team around defense. If you don't have a top 3 player in the league, it's very hard to win and NBA title and the only people who have been able to do it have always featured defense. The Don Nelson/D'Antoni style offenses add a little excitement but the excitement of winning is more fulfilling and lasting. If you have a team going nowhere, sure, roll the ball out and let them run up and down so the fans have something to watch but if you want to win, you need to start on the defensive end.

Building a team, I'd start of young and cheap and I'd do my best to avoid huge contracts unless I'm getting a guy who can carry a team. I never would have traded for Z-Bo and wouldn't have made the Brand/Baron gambit if it meant I was stuck with an aging PG. Unless we get a star players, I'd look to focus on balance as opposed to bringing in the next best thing.

Those are the basic tenants of my GM approach. I think it would help the Clippers become a legit NBa franchise and give them a better shot at becoming a contender.