NBA’s Clippers Go After Carlos Arroyo
Tuesday, 15. September 2009
The latest rumor has it that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking at Carlos Arroyo and making an effort to acquire him. Arroyo would be a serviceable backup to Baron Davis, and it looks like this Clippers team is serious about making an impact in the 09-10 basketball season.
There’s still speculation that Arroyo’s camp may have prompted these rumors. After all, if LA looks interested, perhaps the Celtics or the Bulls would offer him a higher contract in response.
Arroyo’s NBA career previously spanned with the Jazz and the Magic, before he left two years ago to play basketball in Israel. Arroyo saw success during his time there, as he helped Macabbi Tel Aviv to another title, and was even named the team’s most valuable player during the finals.
As a Clipper, Arroyo would back up Baron Davis, but it raises a question about the role of Sebastian Telfair and the Clippers’ interest in him. Telfair, once extremely hyped around the league, has failed to come through on the potential the Timberwolves (and many others) believed he had.
The biggest concern in the past that teams have had about Arroyo is not his playing ability, but more so the chemistry he brings to (or takes away from) a team.
Having played for both Stan Van Gundy in Orlando and Jerry Sloan with the Jazz, Arroyo had problems getting along with both coaches. Many NBA coaches may be inclined to stay away from him as a result.
Despite this all, Arroyo showed great sportsmanship in Tel Aviv, and many believe it served as a valuable learning experience for him. This has increased the appeal of Arroyo with teams in need of a point guard.
Since the Clippers had previously been setting their hopes on Ramon Sessions (formerly of the Bucks), it looks like Arroyo becomes all the more valuable to the team. Sessions, who just opted to play in Minnesota, is no longer available, making Arroyo stand out some more in the slim pool of available point guards.
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