Simon Cushing
as GM. Steve selects:
Oliver Saint-Jean
--------------------------------------------------------------- LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS TEAM REPORT 1. Team Needs/History ===================== SUMMARY: This season, the third season (a Clippers record!) under coach Bill Fitch, the team finished with a 36-46 record and scraped into the playoffs in a top-heavy conference. Nothing to shout about, you'd think, except that in Fitch's first season the team started about 0-16 and were supposed to break the NBA record for futility. But they overachieved to a record of 17-65 and landed the 2nd pick in the draft, only to incur the wrath and ridicule of their fans and critics respectively by (a) taking McDyess instead of Stackhouse, and (b) trading McDyess to Denver for Rodney Rogers and Brent Barry (that draft's #15 pick). Even when the complete trade was later revealed, and the Clippers had got Brian Williams and given up Elmore Spencer, everybody thought the Clippers were fools. Well who's laughing now, Denver? Last season the Clippers improved by 12 games to 29-53 while the Nuggets slumped (and now McDyess is threatening to leave Denver when his 3 year contract expires). The trade seemed to see-saw back in Denver's favour, however, when Williams (who had seemed the best of the 3 Nuggets players) left as a free-agent, but even without him and Stanley Roberts (for all but 16 blubber-coated games) the team again improved by 7 games, again without a clear "franchise" player, and with a leading scorer of under 16ppg, because of a very well- balanced, team-oriented game. (Once again the Clippers had no all-stars, despite having better records than many teams that sent one or two players. Only Portland had a better record with no all-stars.) Because of this balance, the Clippers are in a strange situation in that they have at worst average players at each position, and also better depth at all positions than most teams, so have no glaring needs (except a superstar, but nobody picking lower than #1 in this draft is likely to get that). They are also a young team with good potential, so the thing they need most is another year playing together. A lot depends on who among the principle free agents (Loy Vaught, Malik Sealy and, I think, Darrick Martin) they are likely to re-sign, but a likely Clippers starting lineup for next season would be: Stanley Roberts, Loy Vaught, Rodney Rogers, Brent Barry/Malik Sealy, Darrick Martin/Brent Barry. ...with Lorenzen Wright first off the bench. If the team largely stands pat and re-signs its FAs (and I think they should: Bill Fitch's policy has been to build slowly, and as it's worked, they shouldn't make large changes if at all possible) then biggest need would be PG, although Martin performed admirably this season, and would likely be as good next year as any guard available at #14. Probable draft strategy will be First Option: try to trade pick along with someone like Lamond Murray for a starter-quality player or Chris Dudley level backup centre. Second Option: BPA for depth. a) PLAYER REVIEW (Salary is this season's) CENTRE: Stanley Roberts $3.3M (highest paid Clipper) G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 18 21.0 .426 0 0 .000 45 .703 0.5 0.4 1.3 1.3 5.1 9.5 As usual, the season began with wild reports that this year the man who has "FRANCHISE" tattooed on his arm would actually come to camp in shape and live up to his enormous (pun intended) potential. And as usual, he didn't and two weeks into the season he blows out whatever un-blown leg parts he has left and is out for the year. Will he ever earn his money? If he ever DID get halfway in shape, he'd be a great offensive centre (soft hands, great strength [named by Shaq as the strongest guy he's played, although LSU homerism may have featured there], many post moves, but no outside shot, only average rebounder and usually abysmal free-thrower) and decent, if foul-prone defender (remarkably active shotblocker for one of such impressive girth). Eventually Fitch will get fed up with planning the team around Stanley's very polished low-post game, only to have to re-tool completely a third of the way into the season, and pick up a bunch of sorry-ass reject centres (see below) and give up on him. Must produce next season - could really surprise, but more likely to spend more than half the season on IR. Even in a best case scenario, the Clippers would need a better-than-average backup, because of Stan's inability to stay out of foul trouble and stay in shape. Lorenzen Wright $1.5M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 77 25.1 .481 1 4 .250 88 .587 0.6 0.6 1.0 0.8 6.1 7.3 I've listed Wright under centre because that's where he played most of his minutes last season. He is NOT an NBA centre, however, and if Loy Vaught is not re-signed next season, he will likely be the starter at PF - and even there, he's a little skinny for the position. However, in recent years the Clippers have had Bo Outlaw (at 6'8", around 220lbs) starting at centre, so Wright is actually a step up. As is well-known, Fitch hates rookies (see Anderson, Kenny) and Wright got off to a slow enough start that people were starting to call him a draft bust before the all-star break. However, late on in the season his minutes and his numbers went up to fairly respectable levels. His rebounding in particular is impressive for such a slight player, and Fitch was rumoured to be much impressed. In general, not a star, but a hard worker who could prove to be a solid NBA player for years. Dallas wanted him and had to settle for Samaki Walker - I think they're the ones who really ended up crapping out. It must also be remembered that next year would be Wright's senior year in college. Kevin Duckworth (FA) $0.25M I'm not going to bother listing Duck's stats except suffice to say he played 15 mpg for 26 games. The most interesting stat was that he hit 3 of 4 threes! Obviously the Clippers' front office decided that the Clippers were starting to lose their treasured reputation as the laughingstock of the NBA and decided to bring in an EVEN FATTER centre to make Stanley look better. Duckworth, once merely obese, is now a walking (waddling) blimp. He has no business being in the NBA any more. Hard to believe he was once an all-star. Dwayne Schintzius (FA) $0.63M Another journeyman centre who was called on to stand around and be tall and managed to injure himself. No longer has the worst haircut in the NBA. Rich Manning $??? Third time's the charm! Manning, although signed very late (only played 10 games) actually did pretty well - he's the only one who might be asked back of the three journeymen. Still a stiff though, in the Matt Fish tradition. A face only a mother could love, too. POWER FORWARD: Loy Vaught (FA) $3.1M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 82 34.6 .500 2 12 .167 134 .702 1.3 1.0 1.7 0.3 10.0 14.9 Loy's scoring slipped a bit from the last couple of years, which is a sign of better balance rather than worse performance, although his patented baseline jumper didn't seem as sure a thing as it has been (arguably only Patrick Ewing is more reliable at that shot). Vaught is of the AC Green/Horace Grant/Charles Oakley tradition of hard working boardmen with little or no back-to-the basket games but solid mid-range jumpers. He's not as great a defender as those 3, but he's younger and very athletic. For the past 3 years he has been the Clippers' MVP, and their #1 priority of this off-season will be to re-sign him. Given the Clippers' sorry history with free agents (Helloooo Danny Manning and Brian Williams) one might think this a lost cause, but I actually think Vaught might stay. He likes Los Angeles and has diverse interests outside of basketball (he's a fan of wines and a pretty fair artist). If the Clippers could ensure that he get a recurring role in The Young And The Restless, then they'd be assured of re- signing him - he's a soap fanatic and tapes every show! On the other hand, I fully expect Detroit to make a real run at signing him, especially now Otis Thorpe is out the door. Vaught would complement Grant Hill perfectly, and with his jumper feed off Hill's penetration. Plus he's an ex-Wolverine. Detroit tried to get him before and Donald Sterling will have to the padlock off his checkbook to keep him. Fitch is a big Vaught fan, however, and Sterling listens to Fitch, so it could happen. Charles "Bo" Outlaw (FA) $0.6M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 82 26.8 .609 0 8 .000 117 .504 1.9 1.1 1.3 1.7 5.5 7.6 Another Fitch (and fan) fave, Bo "Blocked by" Outlaw is a tremendous defender, incredible leaper and total team player who is hampered only by the fact that he couldn't throw a brick in the ocean. He gets all his points off putbacks and fastbreak dunks, and knows his limits, however. Outlaw is small-forward sized, but has played all three front court positions and played them very well (at least on the defensive end). He's of PJ Brown value to a team that has plenty of scorers. I think the Clippers can, should and will re-sign him because he's a crucial "glue" player: enthusiastic bench booster, dives on the floor for balls and gets on well with all the other Clippers. If other teams have good scouts, however, don't be surprised to see Bo being offered surprising sums of money this off-season. (I call him "Blocked by" because at least once a game the Clippers commentator Ralph Lawler will be provoked to shriek that at the top of his lungs as Bo comes out of nowhere to swat a shot away in spectacular fashion.) SMALL FORWARD: Rodney Rogers $2.3M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 81 30.6 .462 65 180 .361 191 .663 2.7 1.1 2.7 0.8 5.1 13.2 Rogers was supposed to be the main player in the (in)famous McDyess trade with Denver but last year seemed to contribute the least, behind Brian Williams and Brent Barry. This year he came into his own, and although still inconsistent, has become a more reliable scorer. Should still be more dominant, if the stretches of time where he has taken over games are indicative: he can take his man off the dribble, shoots 36% on threes and is tremendously strong. Also his left-handed jams are nearly always highlight reel quality. Free-throwing needs work, and he's still a bit of a 'tweener, but of the many MANY players who have been dubbed "the next Barkley" he's the closest to having the total package (at least since LJ's back went south). If the Clippers lose Vaught, he will be the closest thing to a Clippers star next year. Lamond Murray $2.7M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 74 17.5 .416 31 91 .341 156 .739 0.8 0.7 1.2 0.4 3.1 7.4 Murray is a bit of a mystery. He has all the tools to be a Dominique Wilkins level scorer, and in fact resembles Jamal Mashburn in game and physique. He's strong, can post up most 3s, and has as pretty a jumper as his cousin Tracy. But he just doesn't seem to have the drive to excel. It doesn't help that he seems to be in and out of Fitch's doghouse all the time, but that's not unconnected with his attitude. He averaged 14ppg in his rookie year and looked well on his way to being a star, but has been pushed aside by the similarly inconsistent, but a little tougher, Rodney Rogers. Needs a nastiness transfusion, or maybe just a trade to the Suns to re-unite with Jason Kidd. As it is, he's restricted to spot duty off the bench, and rarely seems to get into a groove. SHOOTING GUARD: Malik Sealy (FA) $1.7M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 80 30.7 .396 79 222 .356 254 .876 2.1 1.6 1.9 0.6 3.0 13.5 Sealy is a Fitch favourite, and I'm sure it's because of his tough defence, because it certainly isn't because of his shooting. While sweet-shooters like Lamond Murray, Eric Piatkowski and (to a lesser extent) Terry Dehere languish on the bench, Sealy gets the lion's share of the minutes, despite his woeful fg%. However, if he ever DID get his shot going (and occasionally he does hit a hot streak) he'd be a top-level SG. He's very tall for a guard (6'8") but has to play guard because he's too skinny for SF. However, he's very mobile and has good enough all-round skills to flourish, if it weren't for his shooting. (Oddly enough, his 3pt shooting is decent, his ft% is very respectable, and he gets a lot of his points from posting up smaller players, so that gives you some idea of just how bad most of his mid-range shots are.) The Clippers have a ton of swingmen and Sealy is a FA, but I expect him to return as a Clipper largely because Fitch likes him and he's unlikely to get much interest elsewhere. He's also a smart, funny guy, and a natty clothes designer. Brent Barry $0.96M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 59 18.5 .409 56 173 .324 76 .817 2.6 0.9 1.3 0.3 1.9 7.5 Not what was hoped for from this second-year slam dunk winner and fan favourite: his best performance was probably his cameo in Jerry Maguire. In fact, a rumour circulated after the massive Nellie housecleaning in Dallas that the Clippers had offered Brent AND Darrick Martin for Eric Montross! That's GOT to hurt your ego. He was hampered by injuries, being in Fitch's doghouse and lack of defence. (As Fitch put it - "He's getting better, but I wouldn't ask him to guard my wallet".) He got off to a very slow start with an injured hand, and Fitch was apparently under the impression that he'd got a swelled head from the slam dunk title. The Clippers need to hold on to Barry, however, as what few fans they have love him (a fact which might actually work against him in Fitch's eyes - as Barry admitted himself, when the crowd starts chanting for him [yes - Clippers fans CHANTING!] this is more likely to make Fitch decide NOT to put him in) but you can see what Fitch means. Can be absolutely dominant - has all the offensive tools from great explosiveness to a very reliable, albeit Mario Elie-esque flat-footed 3-point shot, and great hot- dog passing skills (Fitch played him more at backup PG as the season progressed, and has always said he's grooming him to be their PG of the future), but can also disappear, and is skinny enough (his nickname is "Bones") to be pushed around even by PGs. His career parallels Bobby Sura's in more than that they're white men who can jump: both are very flashy open-court players playing for old-school team-first coaches. This coming season is make-or- break for Barry. Should get more minutes if Sealy leaves as a FA. Is best buddies with Bo Outlaw and Rodney Rogers. Eric Piatkowski $1.4M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 65 11.5 .450 51 120 .425 69 .821 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.2 1.6 6.0 "Pike" or "The Polish Gunner" as he was called in college, was MVP of the Desert Classic the year he was drafted (which just goes to show you how much THAT means) and touted by Bill Fitch (who actually coached his father) in an unguarded moment as like Larry Bird. I still think there's a good niche for someone like Piatkowski, but it would need to be as a role player on a better team. He could be a better Jud Buechler, as he really has beautiful form on his three, and should be even more valuable if they move the line back out, and he has more time to launch. He's not completely one-dimensional, either: he hustles on defence, and has been known to burst into the lane and dunk, although this isn't very often. Like all the Clippers' swingmen, lost in a numbers game. Often brought in to provide instant offence when Fitch has grown disgusted with his starters. Can play both SG and SF. POINT GUARD: Darrick Martin $0.375M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 82 22.2 .407 91 234 .389 218 .872 4.1 0.7 1.5 0.0 1.4 10.9 A CBA reclaimee who was supposed to be 3rd guard (behind the much higher-paid Pooh Richardson and Terry Dehere) but Pooh had an injury early in the season and Martin took over. Had a promising spell in Minnesota last year and supposedly improved his game with Magic's touring team, but even so, he wildly exceeded expectations for someone who didn't even start as a college senior (nudged out by Tyus Edney) and who is shorter than his girlfriend (a volleyball player). He scored 38 points in one game against Utah this season and has great quickness and a very solid 3 point shot. Whether or not he returns will depend on whether the Clippers target a PG in the draft (Jacque Vaughn's name comes up a lot, and Vaughn is probably a better passer and is taller) and also whether or not he's a FA. If he is, then the Clippers can't re-sign him for more than $450 thousand, which is his current salary plus 20%. If he doesn't get a better offer than that, I'd be amazed. Pooh Richardson $2.7M (Third highest paid) G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 59 18.1 .381 42 128 .328 26 .605 2.9 0.9 1.1 0.1 1.7 5.6 What happened to Pooh? He came to the Clippers in their darkest hour (from the Pacers, where he was a benchwarmer behind Haywoode Workman) and played well for 2 seasons, before this one when he gets buried deep on the bench behind Darrick Martin. Part of it must be that his shot never left Minnesota, but otherwise he always looks solid when he plays - defends well, distributes the ball, pops the occasional three. He must have really pissed the coach off. Obviously trade bate, but will attract very few takers with his history and salary. Might get a chance at redemption if Martin leaves. Terry Dehere $1.9M G mpg fg% 3m 3a 3% fta ft% apg spg tog bpg rpg ppg 73 14.4 .386 52 160 .325 122 .824 2.2 0.4 1.3 0.0 1.3 6.4 I thought Dehere was going to have a breakout year this year, as last year he improved immensely: he'd eased into playing PG after being a SG in college, could break down just about anyone off the dribble, and finally had re-gained his shot. However, this year his minutes plummetted and were taken by a healthy Malik Sealy and the surprising Darrick Martin. I still think Dehere would make a great third guard for some team, and reminds me a lot of Sam Cassell. He can put points on the board in a hurry and can run a team well enough. If the Clippers' logjam at guard doesn't get sorted, though, he's liable to be lost behind the Brent Barrys and Malik Sealys of this world. b) COACH REVIEW In my opinion Bill Fitch is the MVP of the Clippers this season and for the past two, and the best thing Sterling has done in years was to give Fitch a 2-year contract extension after the Playoffs. Sterling apparently has decided that Fitch is the man he wants in charge, and he gets great input into personnel decisions (although now I've heard that the McDyess trade, derided at the time but now lauded, was actually Elgin Baylor's baby). He's old school, and wherever he's gone, he's built crappy teams (hence his dubious record of losing more games than any coach in history) into contenders by taking no shit from anyone and playing solid team players over pouty stars (witness his benching of the rookie Kenny Anderson behind the then-unheralded Mookie Blaylock). The result has been a Clippers team that plays AS a team, with no player averaging more than 35mpg (Loy Vaught) and most in the teens or twenties. This is a policy that needs management approval (most other teams would have got nervous at Fitch's treatment of the Clippers' most marketable commodity, Brent Barry) and he's got it. As a result, nobody likes to play the Clippers, as they're scrappy and they never stop working. Plus they're a very close-knit bunch - as Fitch cracked "If they all hate me, at least I've got them to agree on one thing." The only worry with Fitch is that he's no spring chicken and had heart surgery this year. 2. My Selection for the Mock Draft ================================== Aagh! Why oh why didn't Steve take Danny Fortson? Okay, so Phills is a free agent, but the Cavs HAVE Sura, and are likely to trade for Jimmy Jackson (ironically the person whose scholarship Derek Anderson inherited at Ohio State) so why not let ME draft Derek Anderson as I was desperately hoping to do? Well, given that Anderson has gone (and perhaps just as well given my record of gambling on talented injured players - I took Dontae' Jones with Portland's pick last year, and so far that choice hasn't looked great) I will instead pick: Olivier Saint-Jean (G/F) of San Jose State! Given comments I've made elsewhere about how many swingmen the Clippers have, this sounds like a crazy choice, but let me try to justify this. More comments below (in "others considered") but my reason for taking Saint-Jean over the more sensible Jacque Vaughn or the higher-rated Danny Fortson is simply that, from what I've heard, Saint-Jean is the most likely player to be a star of those left on the board. In particular he was rated as easily the standout player of the Chicago Pre-Draft camp, and measured there at 6'7" and 216, so he could easily swing between SG and SF. As I say below, everyone seems to think the Clippers will take Jacque Vaughn, and he's a solid choice (except if you believe the Tendex guy on the CBS Sportsline webpage, who rates him as a low 2nd round pick) but the Clippers have 3 players (Richardson, Dehere and Barry) certainly under contract - and possibly their starter (Martin) too - who can and have played the point. Meanwhile Sealy is a free agent and can't shoot anyway. I really REALLY wanted to take Anderson, but Saint-Jean is an exciting prospect, and worth the gamble. As for Danny Fortson - he's a 6'7" power forward who, in the words of one scout, "can't jump over a telephone book." The Clippers have a tweener forward already in Rodney Rogers, who is also incredibly strong, and who can jump over a telephone BOOTH. I never seriously considered him. (And maybe that's why Steve didn't take him...) 3. Others Considered ==================== In order of preference: Pipe dreams: Antonio Daniels, Chauncey Billups Considered the top two PGs, the Clippers would definitely love to have either, and neither will last past the top 6. [Didn't in the Usenet draft, either] More reasonable: Brevin Knight Only a disaster would cause him to drop to #14, and he wouldn't slip past BOTH Golden State and Sacramento. But he would be a dream pick: gutsy, fast, intelligent, unselfish and a big game player. Who knows, maybe next year the Clippers might be IN some big games. [Taken at #8 by Golden State in the Usenet Draft] Kelvin Cato Again, likely to be gone by #10, and is slight to play centre in the NBA (may not be much larger than Lorenzen Wright) but would be difficult to pass up if he drops. [Taken at #11 by Sacramento in the Usenet Draft] Tracy McGrady Word is his stock's rising and he'll almost certainly be gone before #14, and besides, Fitch is unlikely to want a project. But the Clippers might be tempted by an answer to Kobe Bryant... [went at #7 to New Jersey in the Usenet Draft - how people will gamble on "potential"] Derek Anderson Depending on how his injury checks out, I expect him to go before #14 or slip down into the twenties. He was a sure lottery pick before he got hurt, and may still bounce back there. The Clippers do have Brent Barry who can play the 2, but it would be hard to resist a player of Anderson's ability, and besides, Barry can swing to 1, Anderson to 3, and Malik Sealy, the starter at 2, is a FA. Anderson would be a gamble, but on sheer talent, he'd easily be BPA. [Taken by Cavs at #13] Jacque Vaughn Vaughn was rated as the joint-best college PG in the country (with Knight) before the season, and played solidly. He's an old-style PG - distributes well, defends well, shoots little. Fitch is an old-style coach, so might take him. See comments below in "player the Clippers will actually take." Sleeper picks: Austin Croshere The Clippers are loaded at forward, but have few true mid-range shooters who could start, so he'll be tempting. [Taken by Indiana at #12 in Usenet Draft] Chris Anstey At #14 he'd be a reach, but he wouldn't be expected to carry the team, especially in the (unlikely) event Roberts actually contributes next season. Olivier St-Jean The Clippers have been willing to experiment with foreigners from unlikely NBA countries - they were briefly the favourite NBA team in China (Ma Jian lasted most of a training camp) and Israel (Doron Sheffer was last year's second-round pick) - so why not France? With the news that St-Jean was the best player in the Chicago pre-draft camp, his stock has leapt into the mid-first round. However, he's YET ANOTHER athletic swingman, and the Clippers have never been short of them (remember Harold Ellis?). Marty Blake says he's got a huge upside, so who knows? [As seen above, I decided to go for it. Hope he can SHOOT better than Harold Ellis - who, ironically, is probably now PLAYING in France...] 4. Whom the Clippers will ACTUALLY draft ======================================== Fitch is always on the lookout for half-decent centres, but none is projected around the Clippers' pick: Foyle and Cato are supposed to be top 10, and the next centre is the Aussie Chris Anstey in the early 20s. Otherwise PG is an area of concern, particularly if Martin is a FA, and Jacque Vaughn, a Padadena native, has been much rumoured. Fitch is unlikely to want a rookie PG, but Vaughn is a solid citizen and has run a talented team as a collegian. So if Cato doesn't drop, and the Clippers don't trade the pick (I think they'll try, but they're unlikely to get many takers) my guess is Vaughn. 5. Other Advisable Moves ======================== This off-season is a crucial one for the Clippers, as they have some key players coming up for free agency. They should NOT let them go to clear cap room for next year's supposed free-agent bonanza, as NO star will EVER come to the Clippers. So they must: RE-SIGN LOY VAUGHT RE-SIGN BO OUTLAW RE-SIGN DARRICK MARTIN (if indeed he is a FA) Lock Stanley Roberts in a room with nothing but weightlifting equipment, feed him diet food once a day and send electric shocks through the floor that only stop if he rides a stationary bike for 4 hours a day. Also, if they DO re-sign Sealy, they should make him shoot jumpers every day until his arm falls off. 6. Where the team is headed =========================== Who knows? The Clippers will never progress far until they get a true star player. Of the players they already have, Rodney Rogers, Stanley Roberts and Brent Barry have the most potential, but none of them is likely to be an all-star any time soon. Can they trade for a star? Not likely: the stars unhappy with their current teams are Shawn Kemp, Mitch Richmond and possibly Vin Baker, but the Clippers don't have enough to offer for any of them. They do have some decent players spare - if they re-sign Vaught, Outlaw and Sealy, the team could easily spare any or all of Lamond Murray, Eric Piatkowski, Pooh Richardson and Terry Dehere, all of whom are better than 12th men and even potential starters on a poor team. But none of them stands out as a "must have" player. Pike, Pooh or Dehere should be shipped whatever happens (preferably Pooh) as there's just not enough minutes for all of them at guard. Can the Clips attract a star free agent? Don't make me laugh. The only way that would happen would be if Donald Sterling sold the team to Disney and it moved permanently into the Pond in Anaheim (which sells out whenever the Clippers play there). Sterling, a real-estate magnate, boasts however that he has never sold a property, and is dead set against moving the team to Anaheim. Latest news is that he plans to move to Hollywood Park (opposite the Lakers' Forum) in 1999. We'll see. Until that happens, the Clippers will just have to follow the Fitch program and hope to gravitate to decency. This year they were mediocre, which was a huge step up!