Play Corey Maggette

To:  The Los Angeles Clippers

Corey Maggette is the longest-tenured Los Angeles Clipper, in his seventh season with the team. In his first 6 years in the NBA, he increased his scoring average every season, culminating in a 22.2 point per game average in 2004-2005, best on the team and 13th best in the NBA. He is continually among the league leaders in free throws made on a per minute basis, and is one of the most efficient scorers in the league.

Since suffering an injury in December 2005, Maggette has seen his role on the team reduced. After playing a career-high 36.9 minutes per game in 2004-2005, he played fewer than 30 minutes per game in 2005-2006, and is playing 27.8 minutes per game the first half of this season. Yet he remains the Clippers’ second leading scorer overall, and the team’s leading scorer on a per minute basis.

He has also been the subject of continual trade speculation. Although he has remained professional and focused throughout and continues to exemplify the energy and desire that have made him a favorite of Clipper fans, the situation has clearly become a distraction for the team.

The trade speculation and general lack of support from Coach Dunleavy have had the net effect of driving Maggette’s value down. As evidenced by the trade offers that have been reported, the rest of the NBA believes that the Clippers are holding a fire sale. It would be a huge mistake to trade a talent of this level, who has always been a great teammate as well, for 50 cents on the dollar.

We, the fans and ticket purchasers, urge the Clippers to keep Corey Maggette, and to play Corey Maggette. He is a unique offensive threat who was fast approaching All Star level play when he was injured. He is fully recovered, and once again a top tier NBA scorer – he should be featured as such.

Resolve the situation. Make a commitment to retaining Corey Maggette. Provide him with the opportunity to help this team win more games, the opportunity worthy of the team’s two-time leading scorer, the opportunity he has earned in seven years with the Clippers. Clipper fans deserve to see the team’s best talent on the floor.

Keep Corey – Play Corey.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Play Corey Maggette Petition to The Los Angeles Clippers was created by Clips Nation and written by Steve Perrin (clippersteve@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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