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It seems like every 7-10 days, the Clips throw a press conference to announce a new player (or, as I view the things, to provide me free sandwiches). Three weeks ago, Eric Gordon took the podium. Then came Baron Davis. Monday was Marcus Camby’s turn.

The newest Clip was donning a team-appropriate red sweater vest and a continual smile, an expression contrasting greatly with his thoughts on arriving in L.A. Not that the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year seemed upset about playing for the Clippers, mind you. Camby expressed numerous times his enthusiasm at the notion of teaming up with Davis, Chris Kaman, Gordon and Al Thorton, (whom he described with a laugh as “very aggressive offensively”). There are issues, however, with the deal itself, a blatant salary dump which Camby received warning could be on the horizon. After playing six seasons in Denver, the veteran C/PF believes a little more respect was in order and hasn’t gotten over that sting.

“I still feel the same way,” replied Camby when asked if he remained “insulted” by this trade. Beyond just being pawned off, the UMass legend wasn’t keen on the courtesy extended his way, which was basically none. “It was kind of shocking to me. The way thing unveiled at the last minute, with me actually being out in Vegas working out (informally) with the team. I was the guy who brought all the other guys out there to work out. Just them having no contact with me. I just thought the way they went about it was classless. They didn’t let me know anything.”

Nor have they offered any explanation. As of Monday, Camby still hadn’t received a call from anyone remotely “Denver front office,” including former coach George Karl, for whom Camby reserved kind words. “George is great. He’s one of the great basketball minds we have in this league. He’s the coach, so I don’t even know if he’s the one who pulled the trigger or had anything to do with it. I don’t really know who to blame.” I asked Camby if he took this situation personally because his importance was devalued or simply his being shut out during the process. “A little bit of both, as it turns out. “I thought it could have went down a whole lot better. At least the lines of communication should have been open. To this day, still in shock. Still in disbelief.”

I also wondered if, despite the emotions and pride involved, Camby could see his part of the equation in pragmatic terms. Whether you agree or not with the plan, Denver clearly wants to cut costs. Despite the early summer rumors, they’re apparently still committed to Carmelo Anthony as a franchise player. There’s always a chance Allen Iverson gets resigned, but even if that doesn’t happen, his expiring 22-mil contract is worth hanging onto. And if you put a gun to any of the other twenty-nine GM’s heads and said that either his signature or his brains would be on some papers for a similar deal with Nene or K-Mart, the result would likely involve lots of blood and little relocation. Thus, Camby becomes the only real option when it comes to a high-salaried guy that another team would actually want. I’m buying that take, but Camby didn’t see it that way. “When it went down, honestly, I felt like I was the scapegoat. After all of us, the past couple years of losing in the first round, since I was the only one to get traded, it makes it seem like it was all my fault.”

If Camby feels singled out for Denver’s struggles, nobody in the room agreed that fingers should have been pointed just at him. Told by a writer that he didn’t “didn’t understand” this trade due to its blatantly one-sided nature, Coach Mike Dunleavy attempted to simplify things. “Denver’s loss is our gain.” Camby expanded on this notion, touching also on his relationships with those still in Colorado. “”I think deep down inside, (the Nuggets) know what they gave up, they know what they’re missing. And not just on the court, but a guy that’s in the locker room. Being on that team, you’re dealing with a lot of different personalities. You got Carmelo. You got A.I. You got Kenyon. You got Nene. (Editor’s note: You also got J.R. Smith). I think I was the one guy that all those guys confided in.”

But even the folks mentioned can channel their respective personality’s… uh… “strength” in a positive way, Dunleavy feels Camby’s boys will still curse Team Kroenke’s money-centric plan. “They hate to see him go, because he saved their asses,” said Dunleavy with a sly smile. It’s not often you hear a coach root for a new acquisition’s numbers to drop, but from his perspective, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. “Maybe his individual stats won’t be as good because he doesn’t have to protect as many people.”

Aside from Camby’s well-documented shot blocking and rebounding prowess, Dunleavy praised the newest Clipper’s passing, hoops IQ and character, all reasons he specifically earmarked the big man when the front office plotted their move to replace Elton Brand. “To me, he was the first and foremost guy I wanted to get (from Denver’s squad).,” explained Dunleavy. “I didn’t think there was much of a chance of that happening based on his importance to the team, but we kept banging on their door, banging on their door.” After some hemming, hawing (and refusing) on Denver’s part, the Clippers were prepared to extend an offer sheet to an unnamed restricted free agent, but decided to call Denver one more time with a “now or never” ultimatum. The Nuggets finally agreed, which led to a moment of living dangerously for the Clippers coach.

“I got a bad knee, but I jumped pretty high when I heard that news.”

As far as his role on the Clips, Camby- seen by his new coach as more of a high post guy offensively- will likely man the power forward spot, the incumbent Kaman remaining at center (a plan Camby joked about being cool with during the games against Shaq). It’s been a while, but Camby actually came into the league playing the four, his shift to the middle coming when he filled in for a fallen Patrick Ewing. Dunleavy sees his front court duo as a premiere source for blocks, rebounds and running the floor, should that be needed.

As for Camby, he’s looking to continue a trend throughout his career. Making teams joined better than when he arrived. “Everywhere I went, I think I’ve pretty much made a stamp on the organization. When I went to New York, my first year there, we went to the Finals and I had great success there. When I got traded to Denver, I was down because that team wasn’t known as a good team. But then we turned it around. We started going to playoff after playoffs. Hopefully, the same thing can hold true when I come here.”

I imagine he’ll also settle for some 20/20 games against Denver.

AK

AUDIO

Marcus Camby, Part I (press conference)

Marcus Camby, Part II (press conference)

Marcus Camby, Part III (press conference)

Marcus Camby, Part IV (with various writers)

Marcus Camby, Part V (with various writers)

Mike Dunleavy (with Andrew Kamenetzky)

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