The Clippers failed miserably despite having a pretty big payroll last year limping to a 19-63 record (22.2%). If that happens again then Mike Dunleavy will be looking for a new job. The Clippers have hopes of getting to the playoffs this season and they have definately upgraded the roster more than enough to do so. Dunleavy has a record with the Clippers of 194-298 (39.4%) during the regular season and he is 7-5 (58.3%) in the post season. Dunleavy’s career numbers are a little bit better as a NBA head coach as he is 592-688 (46.3%) during the regular season and he is 38-33 (53.5%) in the post season. The Clippers hope he can add some wins to that post season record of his.

The Clippers have a couple of injury prone players at center but they are very good ones. 27-year old Chris Kaman will be the starter for the Clippers in the pivot this season. He played in 31 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 29.7 minutes, 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game. 35-year old Marcus Camby will back up Kaman at center this season. He played in 62 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 31.0 minutes, 10.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.1 blocked shots. Camby’s playing time will drop some this season so it will be interesting to see how well he handles being a bench player. 21-year old DeAndre Jordan will be #3 in line for minutes at center for the Clippers this season. He played in 53 games for the Clippers last year and he averaged 14.5 minutes, 4.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. He has a bright future for the Clippers.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTERS IN 2009-2010: A-

The Clippers got lucky in the draft lottery last June and it allowed them to draft Blake Griffin. Griffin will start at power forward for the Clippers this season and the player he is most compared to is Karl Malone. If the 20-year old Griffin winds up being in Malone’s class the Clippers have a chance to go deep into the playoffs this season and beyond. 25-year old Craig Smith will be the back up at power forward for the Clippers this season. He played in 74 games for the T-Wolves last season and he averaged 19.7 minutes, 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Smith is a very underrated player who could thrive in the City of Lights. 33-year old Brian Skinner is back as the #3 power forward for the Clippers. He played in 53 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 16.5 minutes, 4.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Skinner will provide excellent depth for the Clippers as he brings defense and rebounding to the court every single game he plays in.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE POWER FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: B

25-year old Al Thornton was outstanding last season for the Clippers. He played in 71 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 37.4 minutes, 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Thornton’s numbers should improve a little bit this season but the Clippers have a lot of players that like to shoot the ball. 30-year old Ricky Davis exercised his player option to return to the Clippers this season so they will give him a chance to earn it behind Thornton. Davis played in 36 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 21.8 minutes, 6.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. 26-year old Steve Novak will be #3 in line for minutes at small forward and he is a sharp shooter. Novak shot 41.6% from three point range last season for the Clippers. Novak played in 71 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 16.4 minutes, 6.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SMALL FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: B-

20-year old Eric Gordon will be the starting shooting guard for the Clippers this season and he is a player on the rise. He played in 78 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 34.3 minutes, 16.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He can score more if the Clippers need him to and that will likely be determined early in the season. 30-year old Rasual Butler will back up at both SG and SF this season for the Clippers. He played in all 82 games for the Hornets last season and he averaged 31.9 minutes, 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Butler is a good shooter from long range as he hit 39% of his three point attempts last season. He should give the Clippers instant offense off the bench. 25-year old Mardy Collins will likely back up at both guard positions for the Clippers this year. Collins played in 48 games for the Knicks and Clippers last season in which he averaged 18.5 minutes, 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2009-2010: B-