Jeff Gross - Getty Images
Let's be clear - the Los Angeles Clippers do not win games like this. They stay close, they have their chances to win, but in the end, they lose. That's why they're the Clippers. So maybe, more than anything else, this is the sign that Chris Paul is right, and these really aren't the same old Clippers. Because there's no way they win this game in any other season. Not like that.
Throughout the fourth quarter, it felt like a heartbreaking loss was inevitable. For while the Clippers were playing outstanding defense (their best defense of the season, by far), they couldn't seem to build a lead. Makeable shots spun out of the basket, loose balls wound up in Miami's hands. Twice in the fourth quarter, long after play had continued in a direction favorable the the Clippers, a whistle blew with a belated (really, really belated Clipper foul). Those fouls would have been questionable if they'd been made when they happened - to decide seconds later, well Vinny Del Negro must have been beside himself.
Fortunately for the Clippers, when Miami did get to the line, they often missed. It's ironic that the worst free throw shooting team in the NBA benefited in this game from their opponent shooting even worse. The Heat missed 14 free throws in the game, 7 of those in the fourth quarter alone, when they were 9 for 16.
The final seconds of regulation were excruciating. After LeBron James fouled Chauncey Billups while he was shooting a three pointer, Billups made all three free throws to give the Clippers a 2 point lead (matching LA's biggest lead since 6 to 3), the Clippers seemingly had the game wrapped up on several occasions. First, Dwyane Wade dribbled the ball out of bounds with 22 seconds left and the officials indicated it would be Clipper ball. However, as is standard at the end of the game, they reviewed the replay which clearly showed the ball going off of Billups' foot. Then, after being fouled with 16 seconds left, LeBron missed the second free throw, and the rebound seemed headed directly into Blake Griffin's hands. Instead, Chris Bosh tipped the ball away, and Dwyane Wade saved it off of DeAndre Jordan. Once again the officials went to the replay, and once again it was Heat ball. (I honestly don't know what I think the right call was on that one - did the ball hit the line before Wade saved it, did Wade step on the line himself? It was impossible to tell from the replay they showed.) The ball wen to James again, and this time he traveled - only they didn't call it, and awarded him two free throws again. Again, he made just one of them, tying the game and forcing overtime.
That's four times in 20 seconds when I thought it might be Clippers ball with the lead - two replays, a missed rebound and a missed travel. So of course, the Clippers would lose right? Instead LA came out and dominated the overtime, holding Miami to a single Mario Chalmers three pointer in the extra period.
Chris Paul had his best game as a Clipper with 27 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and only one turnover, but the game ball has to be to DeAndre Jordan. DJ had 8 points, 11 rebounds, and most importantly 6 blocked shots (he's leading the NBA in blocks per game). Half of Jordan's blocked shots occurred in the fourth quarter and overtime, and significantly the Clippers retained possession on each of them. He also scored all eight of his points from the final 30 seconds of the third quarter to the end of the game, including a huge basket in overtime and the exclamation point dunk on the game with 5 seconds left. His basket a couple of minutes into overtime that stretched the lead to four points was unusual for a couple of reasons. For one thing, it wasn't a dunk. For another, he scored it with his right hand, something that the left-handed Jordan rarely does.
In the end, the Clippers won this game with defense (and with a little help from Miami's free throw shooting). Particularly in the second half, they contested shots, they scrambled, they rotated and they simply worked harder than we've seen them work this year. Billups was giving away 3 inches to Dwyane Wade, while Butler was giving away about 40 pounds to LeBron James, but they didn't back down. And even when the primary defender was beaten, someone was waiting at the rim to challenge the shot (usually Jordan). If the Clippers can play defense this well every night, they can be a very good team.
And how great is it to keep beating the Heat in LA? There are several teams fans like to root against in the NBA, and Miami is surely high on the list. For the third fourth straight year, the Clippers have beaten the Heat in Los Angeles, and this year it means they win the season series since it's their only meeting. Even before James and Bosh joined the team, it was fun beating the Heat - now, it's extra fun. Of course, it would be even more fun to beat the Lakers on Saturday.
Other observations:
0 recs | 285 comments
First and...
Reggie Evans is quickly becoming my favorite Clipper. His screens are so sexy.
mazric - January 12, 2012
+1
strange to see when he sets it the ball hander can use it, but when anyone else does it, defender just skip right over them
zac4president - January 12, 2012
if brian cook is oatmeal raisin..
can we call reggie evans chocolate chip?
truck_1015 - January 12, 2012
Great write up
Great game. Special shout out to Reggie Evans who is an animal. It’s great when someone like Blake can go off in the first half and be quiet in the 2nd when Caron can be quiet in the first and go off in the 2nd half. We clearly have more options than ever before. My game ball goes to CP3 who finally brought what we saw in the playoffs last year against the Lakers. Sure, it was against Chalmers and Cole, but CP3 played aggressively and was simply the best player on the court this entire game.
On a lesser note, good job VDN. He kept the rotations short in the 2nd half and most importantly he kept Cookie out of the 2nd half.
chrisd - January 12, 2012
He needs to take the philosophy
and spread that over 4 quarters. Cook should not be in except when we need 3 pt shooters in the game for a game winning 3.
mustang6944 - January 12, 2012
yes
any more minus in the plus/minus for Cookie in the 2nd, and it’s a loss. Thankfully only put up a -4 in the first half.
osamu - January 12, 2012
like it or not
you need to rest your starters. Hopefully Solomon or Trey can take Cook’s minutes but I’m not expecting them to be a huge improvement over Cook.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
that was partly because cp3 was in most of the time cook was and score 6 points while cook was in
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
I was going to add the same thing...
We won the series this year.
Takebb909 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Wow
Such a great game. It strained my nerves every step of the way. SP hit the nail on the head, this is NOT a game we win in years past. We fought and clawed out this win.
Luckily, we shouldn’t lose any momentum going into Saturday. Getting complacent against the Lakers ain’t happening. Keep it goin’ boys!
Clipper T - January 12, 2012
I want the Clippers to beat the Lakers
more than this Heats game. =)
I think one of the TV announcers (I think it was Mike Smith) said it best… DJ had more points (4) than the whole Miami Roster (3) in overtime! Haha
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
Big Shot
Earned that nickname tonight. Despite clanking the three, hitting all three free throws at 27.3 was huge, as was his ability to avoid the foul and get the ball to Paul at the end of OT. He also forced a James miss in OT. Though his handle has been shaky, it was nice to see him contribute at the end as he did.
We also need a new nickname for Reggie Evans.
Marver - January 12, 2012 via Android app
lol...the Gargoyle
….or Nutso
Takebb909 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
or BALLLS
shay - January 12, 2012
Reggie " The Nutcracker" Evans. My avi is his logo
kingjames10 - January 12, 2012
That's scary lol.
Lawler 4ever - January 12, 2012
Gargoyle, Nutso, Nutcracker.... they all work
Some of the images of the guy make him look like an insane asylum patient, especially the one they used for him on The Basketball Jones.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
chocolate chip
truck_1015 - January 12, 2012
the picture is amazing
but to be honest i don’t think i can call him nutcracker. Sure, it’s something he did against the Clippers, but it’s probably not something he would like to be called or be reminded about and i’m starting to really like him. just sayin’
chrisd - January 12, 2012
I don't think I sat down for the whole 2nd half...
…Whose with me in thinking this game was a turning point where these guys are thinking about a little more than just a “deep playoff run” now?
Jeff Shepherd - January 12, 2012
I've come to the conclusion the LeBron is not an elite talent
Let me clarify by saying that he would wipe the floor with me and nearly everyone in the world when it comes to basketball talent..but for the upper echelon of elite, I just don’t see it. What I see is a guy who is one of the most physically gifted men on the planet. He uses those physical gifts to get into the lane, and then waits to be bailed out by the refs for being the aggressor…nothing more (at least in the 4th quarter).
I’m also a LeBron fan for the record..although my fantasy team suffered with so many missed free throws tonight from him..I’ll take a Clippers win over my fantasy team all day!!!
MikeV7297 - January 12, 2012
i reflected on soomething like this when i watched him tonight...
He does not carry a lot of “basketball skills”. He is more physical ability and rapid fire readjustment. He is not one of refined form. He is one of constant milisecond adjustment. You couldnt wake him up at two in the morning out of bed and expect him to beat you in a game of “around the world” but with some one like Ray Allen or Kurt Thomas you could. That inability is going to be his downfall as he gets older and loses his agility. That’s what keeps Love lethal still.
Takebb909 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Supposedly he's working on his post game
He’s starting to realize that he has to work on other aspects of his game that he’s been neglecting, like Kobe did years ago when he worked with Hakeem. From what I read, Lebron is also working with Hakeem this season? Don’t quote me on that.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
Half agree
LeBron doesn’t seem as talented a scorer as Kobe, for example, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a better basketball player. Same thing with Blake versus a guy like Love. And the same thing with Shaq and a guy like Pau Gasol. I think the guys who are physically gifted definitely don’t age as well as the guys who have great talent, scoring-wise anyway.
However, I do think LeBron is a talented rebounder and a very, very talented passer. He’s got incredible court vision and his basketball IQ is extremely high as well. So in that way, he has a lot of basketball skills, but I think Wade’s a much more talented scorer than LeBron and will age better.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Disagree with this
Lebron’s a far more efficient scorer. Kobe might be flashier with the double pumps and fadeaways but all I care about is the guy who finds way to take the easiest shots and Lebron does that better than Kobe has ever done it. Lebron’s now working on his 3rd season in a row shooting over 50%. That’s very very rare (and something Kobe’s never come close to doing once) for a perimeter player.
Lebron will age well for a few reasons. One he’s so big and strong he can still be very fast and quick at 33 as a PF. Wade is a smaller SG to begin with and can’t play SF when he’s older. Second, Lebron’s working on his post up game which he can continue to use even when he isn’t as quick as before. Wade’s game is built on his incredible lateral quickness (kind of like AI) and he’ll struggle once he can no longer blow by defenders as he’s not a good outside shooter nor does he have the size advantage to be a beast in the paint.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
Did I ever say anything about LeBron not being efficient?
He’s an SF scoring as efficiently as the great C’s. Give me a little more credit than that, CC…
I just meant that LeBron has a limited amount of tricks up his sleeve. He gets away with it because he’s such a physical presence, but I’m thinking that if he doesn’t add some more tricks to his repertoire and he loses his physicality, he may run into some trouble. More trouble than a pure shooter like Durant would run across, anyway. A good example is Ray Allen vs Vince Carter. Allen is the shooter, playing outside-in and not relying on physicality at all. Vince Carter has always relied on being athletic, with a good but inconsistent jumper. Vince has spiraled down and down, while Allen is having his best season in 5 years, and he’s kept his TS% above 60% going on 4 seasons now. LeBron, up until now, is better than Kobe was at this point. LeBron has been insanely good, I completely understand this. I just worry about the future.
BUT, you’re right that I didn’t consider a move to PF. If he loses his quickness with respect to other SF, he definitely is big enough and strong enough to become a nice PF, especially if he works on those post moves.
Regarding Wade, I still think Wade’s game can be adjusted. His shooting mechanics are perfectly fine, and when he gets older, like MJ, he can rely on his jump shot a lot more. He’ll regress, of course, but I don’t think he relies on athleticism nearly as much as LeBron does. We can disagree there, though. That’s just my judgment based on watching how the guys beat their defenders. Lateral quickness, for sure, relies on athleticism, but Wade also uses the euro step and a number of other neat tricks that have continued to work for Manu Ginobili as he gets older and more fragile, so I expect them to continue to work for Wade.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
If he can't get to the rack
He pretty much sucks. But he’s still LeBron James and I’ll take him over anybody else any day
Ricekrispy10 - January 12, 2012
he is fantastic
when the game isn’t on the line. I mean GSW yesterday and LAC today really put another dent in his reputation.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Durant over LeBron
that might be it
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
He should have hit the layup to win at end of regulation
Jax - January 12, 2012
he should
and he shouldn’t miss those free throws. and blake should have gotten the rebound, etc.
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
on that rebound that everybody thinks blake should have gotten.
lj I watched it in slow mo and bosch actually touch the ball and it went past blakes hand, it looked like blake should have it but it was bosch knocked it out, and then 1 of the clippers knocked it out of bounds.
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
hmm
See my post regardin the offciating last night… looked to me like Griffin tipped it, so Wade didn’t even need to save it
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
has anyone seen any improvement to his post game? I haven’t watched the heat much, but from the little I’ve seen this season he hasn’t. Sure he can post up a guy that is a lot shorter than himself, but put a guy his size or larger and he’s a no go in the post.
tenkaistar - January 12, 2012
they created a few Billups-Lebron mismatches at the end
but they didn’t seem too successful.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Yes
his post game is much improved. He has counter moves, a much better turn around shot and a spin move.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
does it fit with the rest of his style?
I didn’t really get the whole Lebron post moves debate. Sure it would be nice to have but it doesn’t seem to be the missing piece to his greatness.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Its a refined basketball skill.
Which, outside of his passing, many are starting to question whether or not he possess.
mustang6944 - January 12, 2012
Of course it fits his style
he’s always been able to score around the basket because of his strength, quickness and size. So logically it follows that the more he catches it near the basket the more he’ll score/create. SP mentioned it in his preview, LBJ had a absurd 35+ PER going into the game.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
Post game is why he's so efficient now
I love it. Now, if he could get shooting touch. I don’t care what his percentages say, his shooting mechanics are garbage (as Rick Barry pointed out years ago and got ripped for saying). He’s not a great off-balance shooter and isn’t much more than a spot-up shooter. He’s smart and almost exclusively takes spot-up shots, of course, but when he’s older he won’t be able to jump-shoot his way to 40+ points like Kobe can or Michael could. I’d put money on Durant being a better scorer at 35 than LeBron.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
I agree
His footwork seems much better. And that little face up bunny-jumper he takes now is a great addition. It just wasn’t falling for him last night, but it’s a work in progress that’s definitely going to be a useful weapon come playoff time.
I think that Miami shot themselves in the foot constantly trying to post up Wade on Billups. Wade’s just not a great post player. He’s decent at everything and great at some things, which is why he’s an upper-level superstar, but why focus on something he’s just decent at? His ability to post up smaller guards rounds out his overall abilities, but it’s not why he’s a superstar.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
He has increased it alot and until the GS game the other nite
he has shot “0” 3’ pointers. He had been having an MVP season
PS I am not a LeBron homer
PV Mike - January 12, 2012
He's very skilled
you have to be kidding, he’s got amazing court vision, terrific defender and good ball handler. He’s the same size as Blake Griffin, who’s more skilled though?
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
but as a scorer he's below average.
His only hope is to charge to the basket or bomb away from the 3 point line 1 on 1. I can tell you he hasn’t developed anything different from 2007.
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
You can't be serious
the guy has over a 60% TS% the last 4 years. He’s one of the most efficient scorers in the league and his post up game is very strong this year. He barely shoots 3 these days (smart move, its a inefficient shot for him). I have to assume you haven’t paid attention to him at all this year. He’s shooting 57% from the field this year I don’t know how you say he’s not a scorer.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
this
LeBron had a bad game tonight, by his standards. Overall, he is much better
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
He is a very good player but his skills don't seem to translate a 100% to crunch time
a part of it is mental, the other part might be because his skill set is less suited to half court sets on offense (going from otherworldly to very good). That’s why the Heat are running like crazy this season. But when the game goes to the wire and the intensity goes up that tactic is less suited.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Exactly
These are basketball things that don’t translate easily to stats.
Jax - January 12, 2012
No
this is actually false, their are plenty of ways to track end of game stats.
Here’s the list from 2010-2011.
http://www.82games.com/1011/CSORT11.HTM
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
Mo should be our finisher then?
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Maybe take a look back in his previous seasons
but last year he was among the best. Could go with a 3 guard lineup for offense/defense situations.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
Still I stand pat on the Lebron clutch issue
You’d think a team with Wade and Lebron should be better in this department. But then again Miami doesn’t tend to have many close games.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
I'll have to check them out
When I see him in the 4th he seems to choke
Jax - January 12, 2012
Or defer - not wanting the ball
Jax - January 12, 2012
No one's skills translate from fast breaks to half court sets
but the numbers are there if you need to see them and LBJ has been among the most clutch players for years. He can get to the basket and either get a good shot (how many layups did he have at the end of the games against the Wizards in the playoffs) or get fouled. No one shoots there normal percentage at the end of games/half court sets because its hard to score on a set defense.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
he is still very good at it
but that is the burden of a player of his caliber. People expect even more of these players (supersuperstars) in the clutch then during the first 46 minutes.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Do you think Kobe's skillset translates well in the clutch?
http://chasing23.com/kobe-bryant-vs-lebron-james-game-winning-shots/#comment-12426
Wilpatyo - January 12, 2012
+1
No player in the league can do as much as he does out there on the court. He gets criticized even if he gets a triple double. A critic can cherry pick one aspect of the game to fit their argument, but aren’t looking at the full scope of the game.
He was clutch as hell and a closer against Chicago and Boston. He disappeared in the finals, but they’re not in the finals if it wasn’t for him. Wade surely didn’t get them there.
Lawler 4ever - January 12, 2012
This
Michael White - January 12, 2012
He's a great player
For sure. But what bothers me is that his immense gifts are not being maximized. He wanted to be Jordan, so he became a wing, if he had been a 4, and people had made him develop post skills, and some humility, when he was 12 or 13, or made him a PG, an evolutionary Magic, maybe he would have been all he could be. But as a wing, he has deemphasized his immense gifts,
He also doesn’t understand probability very well.
BoSoxFan45 - January 13, 2012
Wonder how the rule change will effect his ilk
Most fans have been complaining that the refs are horrible because they are not calling fouls when the on ball player makes contact but fail to realize that has changed. LeBron does a lot of initiating himself. Last night he missed a shot down the stretch that he thought was a foul because he initiated contact. But that is no longer the case. Once the refs get acclimated to that, guys who get tons of point for being Bulls in a China shop will be affected.
mustang6944 - January 12, 2012
Didn't say he was a bad scorer, he just said he's not using talent to score
He’s supremely efficient as a scorer, but it’s mainly because of physical gifts, not because of learned skills. This doesn’t change that he’s the greatest basketball player on the planet, it just possibly affects how long he’ll be the greatest basketball player on the planet.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
I just realized what I just said is a little different from the other arguments so far about LeBron being a great scorer
I don’t think his supposed lack of clutch play has anything to do with anything. He’s a great scorer, plain and simple. He’s the most efficient scorer in the league right now putting up insane numbers. For me, it’s just a difference in how he’s able to play so well, giving me concerns about the longevity of his career (unless he can adjust his game when the time comes, which history shows us is generally the case with players like him who rely on physicality—-see: Karl Malone). But that’s all. I completely disagree with anyone who is saying he’s an incomplete scorer right now. Who cares how you score 30ppg at 60% efficiency? Maybe he’s only got a few different moves, but no one can stop them, so he’s the best. I’d still bet on Durant being the better scorer later, but LeBron will probably still be the better overall player (right now it’s not even close between the two).
Erik O - January 12, 2012
You hit the nail on the head for me Erik
In reading my initial post right now, I see why it could have been misunderstood (had a little post game celebrating, in addition to my during the game celebrating).
I did not mean that Lebron is not an elite player. He is the best player in the NBA in my opinion. He just doesn’t have an elite skill set offensively compared to other players, but his physical ability more than compensates for it.
Put Steve Nash a few years ago in LeBron’s body, and you have an unstoppable player.
MikeV7297 - January 12, 2012
I couldn't disagree with this more
LeBron is the best player in the league. Kobe averages 1 more point per game right now, on 6 more shots. He can rebound, he can pass, he can run, he can defend. He can’t shoot 3’s well, so he basically stopped taking them this year. He is THE elite talent in the NBA. Getting to the lane and to the line is a huge part of the game. It creates havoc, gets teams in foul trouble and opens up shots for teammates. He had a bad game. His bad game was 23/13/7.
yolos - January 12, 2012
in the end the titles are important
he is the best player, but I’m quite sure he would trade that for a ring.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
That's true when deciding the all-time greats
If he wants to be compared to MJ, he needs to win a bunch of titles in a hurry. People are saying that they’d take Durant over LeBron and Durant hasn’t been to the finals. And I hope that LeBron would trade the title of best player in the league for a title. That’s why he went to the Heat.
yolos - January 12, 2012
Not with a prime Shaq vs Mo Williams.
Last season was all Lebron, but Kobe had a good 5-7 years with the big fella.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
well that was the point behind the move to Miami
Wade is also a top 5 player.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Right
so I think it’s more important to see what it’s like this season and the upcoming years. I still believe through the 3peat years of Shaq and Kobe, Shaq was the man. Now that Lebron has a real teammate, I think this is really where the ring argument should start to count.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
he'll win titles no doubt about it
but they set the bar high for themselves.
I do wonder what effect the new lux tax will have within a few years. The supporting cast might even be thinner then now.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Good point
but the big three still remains. Players are still willing to take that pay cut for a run at the ring. It’s going to be interesting, even if Lebron wins his first this year, he’s going to be criticized and talked about how he needs 4 more rings to catch up.
But still, I don’t think that ring argument should stand (probably because it’s always Laker/Kobe fans who always uses it. Haaha
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
yes but now they can pay something extra using birth rights
that will be come less of an option when the lux tax become more punitive. Are Mario Chalmers or Udonis Haslem going to say no if a decent team comes along and pays them a few million extra a year? And is the Heat going to soak up all the lux tax in order to retain them?
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Haslem- probably/possibly
Chalmers-no. But why bother with Chalmers, they have Norris Cole who looks pretty promising.
As for Haslem, he took less (approx 10 mil less) to stay with Miami and turned down offers from Nuggets and Mavs.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
Basketball is a team game
Some players are unlucky and just never have a good enough supporting cast to win titles.. Some just happen to be the 2nd best team for years behind a more dominant team. You take a player like Lebron and put him on any team and you are going to be a .500 team at worst. Then you add start adding some good players and the skys the limit.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
I am reminded of the Stockton/Malone Jazz era
Regarding the “2nd best team” line.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
"You take a player like Lebron and put him on any team and you are going to be a .500 team at worst."
And this is why I disagree with WP that puts Love right there with LeBron.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
amen yo!
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
mike, last night that was not the best that le bron has to offer....
there’s gonna b games like this for every player this year because of the short season, I love my blake griffin but I will take le brons free throw shooting over his any day.
if lebron wins 3 championships in a row I would not be surprised!
of course it is team game so he is gonna have to have a lotta help.
I would be surprised if he did not get any championships.
I think he is that good of player and will not be denied.
but of course I want the clippers to have something to say about all of this.
I love the way chris paul played last night if this is indeed an indication of what’s to come I cannot wait.
I just want my favorite player BG to get his game together more consistently!
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
we need to pick up ike again
he at least gives us some scoring options for the 2nd unit in the front court.
zac4president - January 12, 2012
Ike got picked up already.
He’s on the Spurs.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
got waved
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Didn't know
Good looking out, guys. That was really fast, and it was for Kawhi Leonard’s teammate. I like Ike a lot, but I’m not sure he’d solve all our problems. Cook’s purpose is to stretch the floor and shoot threes, but lately he’s been terrible. He obviously wouldn’t be a direct replacement, but I’d rather have a dude who hustles like Ike over someone who takes up space like Cook.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
amen to that chris!
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
+1
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
And then already got waived by them
In favor of undrafted San Diego State F Malcolm Thomas, giving the Spurs 2 members (along with 1st-round pick Kahwi Leonard) of last year’s 34-3 squad.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
ESPN
Cud not ask for better game.
Everyone was clutch and griffins foul draw on james was huge.
Billups went 2-11 FG.
It seems Cp3 being agressive is a key to W for this team
arman martikian - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Clippers are certainly
better when CP3 is aggressive. Hopefully this is the start if him turning it on. If the Heat/Lakers can’t turn it on for him, nothing will.
Marver - January 12, 2012 via Android app
Billups has been cold as of late
as open as he is, he’s not hitting the open shot. That’s a huge no,no for our shooting guard who isn’t a great defensive player.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
he still finds a way to contribute
he’ll heat up eventually
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
He’s been making up for it by getting to the line and making the free throw. TS% of 56.4% on the year. And while that’s down from his career norms (should rebound once his shot starts falling) it’s pretty much what Eric Gordon did for LAC last year; TS% of 56.6%.
Michael White - January 12, 2012
Yeah he does go to the free throw quite often
but the 34.3% is a relatively low percentage, not to mention Billups had quite a few open 3’s last game.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
Unless you think Billups forgot how to shoot, I would bet on his FG% and TS% regressing toward career norms.
Michael White - January 12, 2012
No
I think him and Cookie are having bad starts, but games like this could have been won alot easier of Billups hit the open jumpshots.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
+1
Erik O - January 12, 2012
had to leave for work with 50 seconds left in OT
after the 1.5 hours commute felt very anxious when turning on my comp to check the end result.
YAY!
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
ESPN heat apologist at work
F*** Haberstroh, Wallace and WIndhorst
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
I still think Heat are the best team in the league
*shrug
bacek - January 12, 2012
oh yeah no problem there
but they kind of dismissed the clips victory as lucky.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
yeah but every beat writer will do that
bacek - January 12, 2012
The one last year was lucky
The one this year was legit. We missed a lot of super easy layups, they missed a lot of super easy free throws. I think it evens out, with regards to luck.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
The last time the Heat beat the Clippers at Staples was Dec. 9th 2007. In the last 8 meetings at Staples the Heat have only won once. Their overall record for the past 6 seasons is now 7-4 (in favor of the Clippers). The Clips just seem to play really well against the Heat (especially at home).
shay - January 12, 2012
yep
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Velcro is not permanent enough
How about some super glue? Or duct tape?
shay - January 12, 2012
cement glue? tar? quick sand pit?
Im in for all the above to keep Cook away.
KillaClip - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Weird I was just about to say exactly that.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Fun Fact
The Heat had 1 FG in the last 12 min and 30 sec. And it wasn’t by Lebron, Wade, or Bosh. Not a way to close a game by the Big 3 if you ask me.
besaje - January 12, 2012
Wow
I missed that in my recap. The Heat went a full 11 minutes without a field goal. Nice catch.
Steve Perrin - January 12, 2012
but they were aggresive!
or something like that
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
God I love beating the Heat more than any other team (inc. the Lakers)
Woke up in the UK to see the OT period only – will watch rest tonight.
I’m so proud of this team. Like Steve said, we don’t win these games but tonight, I feel something has changed.
ClippersUK - January 12, 2012
that's how many basketball fans feel
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
would WAY rather beat lakers
maybe b/c you aren’t in la you don’t know… But whosoever Lakers are way more important
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
+1
shay - January 12, 2012
good point, I'm not surrounded by annoying Laker fans
still great to stuff LeBron and the heat though!
ClippersUK - January 12, 2012
It was an exciting game
But like everyone said, I’d rather have us beat the Lakers. If we could consistently beat the Lakers then a lot of their fanbase would stop being annoying towards Clipper fans.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
I like beating them too, but it's not because I hate them.
I know a lot of people just want to see them lose regardless. I like beating them, because they’re one of the best teams in the league with 2 of the top 3 or 4 players and Bosh. I love a win over the Lakers though. If we were to only win 4 games in a season, I’d want them to all be against the Lakers.
Lawler 4ever - January 12, 2012
+1
Lakers are the Big fish we need to take down.
KillaClip - January 12, 2012 via mobile
I no longer have Heat-hate.
They have learned to beat teams with good basketball rather than sheer talent, and that’s something worth seeing. This is exactly why I liked beating them this year. Last year it was just hate.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
cook 4 minutes...gomes 5 minutes
now VDN is starting to get it….
nauticazn25 - January 12, 2012
give those 4 fro cook to Gomes or trey or solomon
I understand the want for better players on the floor, but all of our starters played 40 or more tonight. We don’t play til Saturday, so that’s ok, but we play Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… Our starters will die over that stretch playing a lot of minutes. Really want bled back so we can rest Chauncey more
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
Nets, Jazz & Mavs.
We should have a laugher against the Nets. The only problem is Deron has owned Paul in their H2H match-ups (12-4). Humphries (AKA Bizarro Blake) gives Blake fits. I still think we should win that one comfortably though.
The Jazz have a 6-4 record and are undefeated at home. They beat the 76ers, but there other wins were against the likes of the Grizzlies, Bucks, Cavs, Warriors and Hornets.
The Mavs are at 6-5 and have won their last 3 (including a win over the Celtics at the Garden). They play the Lakers on the 16th, so they’ll have been in LA for a couple of days. We’ll have played in Utah the day before, so we’re at a disadvantage against them even though we’re at home.
Lawler 4ever - January 12, 2012
Lakers beat Jazz at home last nite and the Nets are absolutely unwatchable.
Deron Williams is in Siberia right now. Some are saying he has given up.
PV Mike - January 12, 2012
yeah, he looks like he wants to go back to Turkey
banandy - January 12, 2012
Deron's gonna be a FA this summer
I’m pretty sure of it. Good chance he’d go to the Lakers, too, if they don’t end up getting D-How.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
Duh... how does he get to the Lakers?
Kobe gets 27M next year. You think they’re gonna amnesty Pau?
They CANNOT bring Williams in as a free agent.
There only hope is bringing in Howard at the trade deadline.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
It's the mojo juice
Don’t mind me. Logically it can’t happen unless they do something crazy.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
I get it.
I was talking to my nephew earlier… a Laker fan, and he’s losing his mind, dreaming up trades that can’t happen, repeatedly saying things like, “You think the Lakers are gonna get Dwight Howard? What about Blake Griffin? You think he’s coming to the Lakers? The Clippers stole Chris Paul, you know that, right? What about Deron? You think the Lakers can get him? He’s better than Chris Paul, isn’t he? Kobe’s the best player in the game. Who’s better? Best of all time. Six rings. You think Michael Jordan was better than Kobe? I don’t think so. So, you think Chris Paul will come to the Lakers next year? Why not? What about Bynum, second best center in the game. Who’s better?”
It’s an endless mindless rant. I don’t even know how to respond. I don’t respond.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
LOL
I find it a bit funny when Laker fans use the “Kobe has more rings than Lebron argument; therefore Kobe is better” but not the “Michael Jordan has more rings than Kobe, therefore Jordan is better” argument. Hahaha.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
lol awesome quote
Erik O - January 12, 2012
was going to say the same thing
I suppose they could work a sign-and-trade? I think Deron wouldn’t have the benefits of a S&T like under the old CBA, but I think can still make the same money he would as a FA. If he wanted to be w/ the lakers, I suppose couldn’t he say he’d leave the Nets with nothing, or they can trade him to the Lakers for Pau or something?
osamu - January 12, 2012
He hates the Lakers, doesn't he?
Erik O - January 12, 2012
good and bad
they need minutes in order to stay in rhythm and be productive if needed to play more minutes
bacek - January 12, 2012
not until they have 0 minutes!!
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
What an amazing grind out victory.
Other things I noticed that I was really impressed by:
This was the first time any team has held the Miami Heat under 40% shooting for a game this season, and they lead the league in field goal percentage. To top that off, this was also the first time any team this season has held them to under 90 points in a game.
Really proud of this win.
clipperbran - January 12, 2012
Under 90 in OT
impressive indeed.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
Really happy about the 7 man rotation. We have a couple days to rest up for the Lakers!
CLiPPz WeRD 12 - January 12, 2012
7?
8-man rotation in the 2nd half. The starters plus Evans, Foye and Mo. Love the rotation. You see how the offense flows when Cook is on the bench!
Hengtime81 - January 12, 2012
foye got very few minutes
as did Gomes. They were in the rotation but not alot
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
Gomes...
I don’t think Gomes played the 2nd half. All I’m saying, is that 2nd rotations were better than 1st half. Cook was on the bench!
Hengtime81 - January 12, 2012
I liked Gomes to get minutes this game
he played LeBron well last year ans I thought that butler at the 2 on wade and Gomes at the 3 on LeBron would have worked
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
I agree, we need some flexibility on D if things aren't working out
and Gomes did play him well on the defensive end last year. As long as you have at least 3 offensive threats on the floor, it should be ok to give Gomes minutes defending the 3/4 in big games.
ClippersUK - January 12, 2012
I didn't think a loss was inevitable.
I felt all along that the Clips had a great chance to win. They had too many playmakers to let it slip away.
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
You must not have been a Clipper fan long. :)
Even when the team’s up by 20 points the Clips have found ways to lose in crunch time. It’s just something a lot of fans need to get out of their system. On paper we have a great chance of winning, but it’s the mojo.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
I think you guys can shake off that specter.
This season is a new chapter for the Clips franchise.
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
It's a habit that we have developed for 5, 10, 15, maybe even 25 years..
This is going to be a hard habit to break.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
this
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
Exactly.
Disappointment is a helluva drug.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
lol
Erik O - January 12, 2012
27
chrisd - January 12, 2012
Maybe not
CP3 and Billups are the kind of players that break those habits. In fact this team never had those habits. This is like an expansion team with so many new starters. DJ is the only player with more than one year of playing experience on the team, so I don’t see that culture bleeding into the current team.
Thretch - January 12, 2012
Hell yeah man!
We handled business and played amazing defense, everyone contributed (except for Cookie) and I’m telling you, this W is gonna kick our season into overdrive. Keep watching! :)
Jeff Shepherd - January 12, 2012
aw man....
why aren’t you a Cavs fan……..
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
Who me?
I don’t follow….
I’m not a Cavs fan, cus its too damn cold in Ohio.
Jeff Shepherd - January 12, 2012
i saw you support other cleveland teams
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
r u a LeBron fan or hater
PV Mike - January 12, 2012
I support Cleveland teams, so I want nothing to do with LeBron.
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
Hmmm
OHHH I know why…My buddy Chris Gocong plays for the Browns…I went to high school with him and play golf with him when he gets back to our hometown where I still live….and I support the Cleveland Indians cus of Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn haha. I just don’t know anything about baseball, and I’m just so disenfranchised with how the Dodgers organization is run, I just refuse to recognize them as a baseball team until they get their shit together and get bought by someone who who don’t fight like my parents.
Jeff Shepherd - January 12, 2012
fascinating
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
whatever, bro.
Jeff Shepherd - January 12, 2012
You sound offended. Why?
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
Woah, what is with the LeBron/Heat hate?
You’d think out of any fanbase, WE could empathize with the constant stream of criticism, hackneyed jokes, etc. that Heat fans (and LeBron) have to deal with.
I thought this game was over during the collapse at the end of the first half… but I’m very impressed with how the team bounced back and won. VDN still needs to go.
82-0 - January 12, 2012
VDN
after a terribly coached game in portland, he had a good game tonight.
The ‘shadow’ double team on LeBron when Blake plays linebacker and sits back waiting for leBron to move, and then fills the gap was very effective.. Reggie/DJ did a good job getting the boards when Blake was out playing help.
He also used his timeouts more effectively and played what alot of people are callnig a better rotation. Really, he just played the starters more. All 5 played 40 or higher. That works here, b/c we have until saturday when we need to suit up, but we have games sat, mon, tues, wed, and if we play them that much in that stretch someone will get hurt.
My best case scenario: we beat the lakers saturday by a reasonable margin(not blowout, not nailbiter) like 7 or 8. Then we come out early on Jersey (without lopez and maybe deron williams) and put the game away in the first half so that foye and gomes can handle most of the second half without pushing caron and chauncey. That game finishes early and easily with a 20 point win, and we fly to Utah ahead of schedule. Utah has been overachieving so far this season without their superstars of the past, Williams and Boozer. I think that this game will be the deciding factor in outr b2b2b. If we can go into utah and crush a mediocre team, then we have a good shot at home against Dallas. If we struggle in a rough road enviornment, then we could be in trouble against the defending champs, Caron Butler’s old team. The idea is to escape the Jersey game easily enough that the Dallas game is like the second night of a back to back, not the third of a b2b2b2.
To tie this long winded not so much of a reply back into the original post, I think the Heat jokes are due to the fact that Miami is hated becausethey got a bunch of good players and historically the Clippers have been pitied due to a lack of good players and wins… opposites
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
outside of playing cook
VDN rotations seem solid. And I’m guessing most NBA coaches with this roster would be playing Cook over Trey and Solomon.
I especially like the way we are rotating Butler. VDN probably won’t takes us to the top but he has been more or less solid this season. @ Portland the fault was evenly split between VDN and the players in my eyes.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
on cook
he is just so bad… he contributes nothing, and I don;t care about his rebounding %… he isonly makes us worse. might as well try solomon or trey… not like they ar egonna go -14 in 5 minutes like cook, right?
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
we don't know
it is difficult to gauge what they’ll bring given the fact that we aren’t at the practices. What I do now most coaches will play proven commodities, even more so in these compressed schedule times. And I for one don’t really mind. I think Trey will be better then Cook in the long run, but I’m not a big believer of putting rooks in situations where they won’t succeed (like having to play a defensive 5 when you are an offensive 4). And would Solomon really be such an upgrade? It would be marginal at best.
The -14 isn’t that meaningful, there are 4 other players on the floor at that time.
It will be good to see Cook collecting DNP’s. But I’m also quite sure we would be complaining about other players. You should read some threads on blogabull about Bogans.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
I would really like them to waive Cook and have Diogu on the roster even if he isn't used a lot.
He may not have the height of Solomon Jones but he can put the ball in the hoop, something Reggie cannot do so if they play help D, if you leave Ike open, he should score. Cook just takes bad sho……………………I just don’t wanna talk about him – he should not still be on this roster.
ClippersUK - January 12, 2012
Diogu signed with the Spurs I believe...
saxmanager - January 12, 2012
Ike Was Waived
ESPN
moKi - January 12, 2012
Rotations solid?
Not so sure. Winning cures a lot of ills, but I still think he doesn’t have a clue. Look at the way Spoelstra handlles Miami’s — he works it so he’s pretty much got either LeBron or Wade out there at all times.
Very few coaches ever play 5 backups together at one time with no starters on the floor, yet VDN insists on doing this all the time. Mo/Foye/Gomes/Evans/Cook is a terrible lineup that should never be on the floor together, yet he’s played exactly this lineup the last 2 games for quite a bit of the second quarter, and both times it took away whatever momentum we had and dug us a deep hole. Last night we crawled out of it, and thankfully he shortened his bench in the 2nd half so we didn’t have a repeat. But he’s got to figure out a way to stagger the starters’ minutes in the 1st and 3rd quarters so that there’s always a 2nd scorer out there along with Mo.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
deep hole?
anyway, like said before we have 7 rotation caliber players… and Lebron and Wade are stand alone players, Griffin and Paul should complement each other.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
well if we win it VDN has nothing to do with it
and when we lose he is to blame
black and white!
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
So you think it's OK to play all 5 backups together?
Rather than keep a starter or two on the floor at all times, like most good teams do?
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
I don't think he implied that anywhere
Mo can’t carry the 2nd unit by himself. I love Evans as one of the 7 rotation caliber players, but he can do nothing more than set picks on offense. If Mo is out there with 1 of either Billups/Butler/Griffin, he becomes much more effective.
yolos - January 12, 2012
I agree
And that’s exactly the problem I have with VDN’s rotations. I’ve seen no-starter lineups out there way too often. When he did it in the 2nd Q last night is when we fell into a double-digit hole. And the same thing happened the game before in Portland.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
There's no excuse for having 5 reserves in the game
unless it’s garbage time when we’re up by 30. Cookie can shoot all he wants then.
yolos - January 12, 2012
It's time for PopcornMachine!
It’s all about the gameflow!
VDN had Gomes/Foye/Cook/Williams/Evans on the floor for around 2 1/2 minutes at the beginning of the second quarter for a plus/minus of -6.
Did Spoelstra ever go to five reserves? No. He only went eight deep. And the two teams were both on the second day of a back-to-back.
I know I’m getting like a broken record about the gameflow, but there’s so much in there.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
And none of it supports VDN's substitution patterns.
I’m gonna look at the tiny-men lineup next, Vinny’s other affectation.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
Exactly
And look at the night before. That lineup played 3 minutes at the start of the 2nd quarter with a plus/minus of -8 (which if IIRC was also the margin by which the Clippers ultimately lost).
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
I talked about that yesterday!
Bolts, you need to read my stuff everyday because me and the popcornmachine are killing it! I mean it’s gettin so I don’t even need to watch the games anymore!
More notes below wherein swami and the popcorn machine examine the wisdom of the tiny-men lineup…
I’m thinking of writing a book about Vinny and the Tiny Men.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
Oops, sorry
Shoulda known you were all over it. On a related note, don’t you hate it when stupid stuff like work gets in the way of really important stuff like delving into the minutiae of Clippers games? ;-)
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
What's this "work" you speak of?
There’s the office I drive to every morning so I can log onto Clips Nation, but I’m not sure what it’s called…
Erik O - January 12, 2012
yeah bolts,
I’ve seen v d n ruined games just on his substitution pattern alone!
last night wasn’t bad but we can’t rely on our starters to play 40 minutes every night! vinnie is going to have to know what he’s doing for us to succeed this year,
I don’t think he’s up for the task I wish that we could get jerry sloan,
maybe he is too old, but I think he still has some fire in him!
the clippers are a team that needs motivation, there always seems to be a let down after a win!
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
Is this a VDN flaw or a product of the shorten season.
I think the answer is yes, and I wonder if he feels he has 6 or 7 starters which would mean that he can run the other reserves with them.
mustang6944 - January 12, 2012
6 starters perhaps
But not 7. And when Mo is out there without another starter to help, that means the your 2nd and 3rd options are … wait for it … Randy Foye and Brian Cook. With all the talent on this roster, there really shouldn’t ever be a circumstance in which 2 of the most egregious ball-stopping chuckers on the planet are your 2nd and 3rd best options on offense.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
Hi, 82-0
Why do you feel the need to defend them? These two franchises have nothing in common. They have the most blase and dispassionate fans in Miami, and you have fans devoted to the team even when they stink. They have a championship, and you do not. Their best player is a spoiled brat on and off the court, and yours is not. The fans who just became Heat fans in 2010 probably used to be “Cavs” fans and deserve every taunt hurled their way.
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
Dear WaveOcean
Please stop making us Clipper fans look bad with your hater attitude.
Sincerely,
Christopher McDougall
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
He doesn’t make us look bad because he’s not a Clipper fan. No worries there.
Michael White - January 12, 2012
All right, I'll stop
But just so you know, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with picking on the Heat. You don’t look bad at all.
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
Great win
Caron Butler was huge last night. I’ve always been a fan but he’s been great since coming over to LAC. Hit some tough shots including some bail out jumpers late in the shot clock during some bad possessions. Nailing that jumper to start off overtime was great and feeding it to DJ who scored brilliantly with his right hand had you feeling this game was as good as won.
Michael White - January 12, 2012
Not to mention his D
With help, he did a pretty credible job on LeBron.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
Let's not get carried away
LeBron dominated
Wade was the one who didn’t show up (but of course he has plantar fascitis sp?)
bacek - January 12, 2012
LeBron Dominated?
Let’s not get carried away in the other direction either. 7-for-19 from the field with 6 TOs isn’t exactly what I’d call dominating.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
He did dominate
his stat line wasn’t a OMG look at what LeBron did! type of game.
I guess when you put up some of the games he can, it is easy to forget that he typically is the best player on the court when he steps on to it
bacek - January 12, 2012
Lebron is amazing...
but calling his his performance last night, “dominating”, doesn’t pass the sniff test.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
23-13-7
if it were Blake everyone here would go ape shit
bacek - January 12, 2012
Basically he would have won the game for them but missed a few FTs uncharacteristically
Those misses had nothing to do with Caron
Jax - January 12, 2012
Except Lebron travelled (unbelievably the league sent out a statement acknowledging this) which does have something to do with the defense. Ball don’t lie.
Michael White - January 12, 2012
Right - I think he choked the game away
He traveled (not called) – however he just traveled IMO – had little to do with the D
He missed two key free throws that would likely have iced it.
He fouled Chauncy (really LBJ?)
He missed an easly (for him) layup where he got fouled and made one of two
Watching him, I think he is psyched out and doesn’t want to be the man in crunch time.
Jax - January 12, 2012
And he went 27-15-9... or whatever bacek said.
He “dominated”.
It’s an argument of semantics and I’ll go here with great trepidation. But I don’t think you can dominate and lose.
Shaq always used to say, “most dominating” and I always thought it sounded stupid. He didn’t want to say “best” because it would be bragging… huh?
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
He's a great player and helped to put them in the position to win
But he missed free throws and fouled Chauncy and missed shots that he should pretty easily have made.
So IMO he choked the game away.
Jax - January 12, 2012
Hmm
oddly enough I agree with Jax here on some points
LBJ did travel but I think DJ had a lot to do with it, he knew he’d get blocked if he went straight up. Plus the refs rarely call double dribbles/palming/travel/offensive fouls at the end of games. I remember a playoff game where Jason Kidd essentially through a NFL type block to free a teammate and he laughed afterwards because he knew he could get away with it.
His free throws misses wouldn’t have iced the game but it would have given them a lead which would then change the situation for the Clips. He makes one more and then Clips had to score or lose instead of OT.
He did foul Billups after the shot. He didn’t touch Billups until after the ball was already out of his hands. Really I think these kind of calls should be 2 free throws not 3.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
They did?
Unbelievable indeed!
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Did they say DJ's block was goaltending...
because, uh, it was.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
So obvious from the replay
Erik O - January 12, 2012
I think it was debatable
the ball had almost no arc to it and it was no where near the infinity cylinder. From some angles it looked like it was going down others like it was still going slightly up.
bestclipfan - January 12, 2012
I only saw the 1 side angle
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Were you watching on ESPN or PT
on ESPN they had like 3 angles and they all contradicted eachother.
bestclipfan - January 12, 2012
PT
Yea multiple angles would’ve been nice. We had the live one, which was directly behind the ball so you couldn’t tell at all, and then this diagonal side one that looked like… 80% like it was just starting to fall. Diagonal angle wasn’t helpful at all.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
You're not a true Clipper fan
if you tuned to ESPN and wasn’t listening to Lawler.
Jk of course.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
lol my logic
was that listen to Ralph every game, so I will take occasional variety
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
I get better picture quality when watching ESPN
I can watch PT on my computer thanks to the slingbox I just got but I am still having issues with the picture quality (likely due to the heavy usage of the wifi network in my dorms). Plus it is always nice to see an unbiased view on our team, especially when it is coming from Hubie Brown who I have a lot of respect for.
bestclipfan - January 13, 2012
Slingbox?
Erik O - January 13, 2012
Don't have one myself
But I believe that it is like a dvr… you can plug it into your cable box, and you can watch whatever channel is on your tv on your computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.
LJ Hann - January 13, 2012
Tough call for the refs at full game speed
It ‘s not surprising some of these “near the top of the arc” calls get missed. Happens very frequently. I can’t get too worked up about it either way.
Thretch - January 12, 2012
I would rather the blocker get the benefit of the doubt
bestclipfan - January 12, 2012
Obviously he's the best player on the court
But that doesn’t mean Caron didn’t do exactly what I said: A credible job, with help. Notice, I didn’t say he shut him down or anything exaggerated like that. But the reason it wasn’t an OMG game is that we played pretty good D on him, as attested by the fact that he shot 36.8% from the field and turned the ball over 6 times.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
I thought the D on LBJ was solid
it wasn’t great, he missed a few layups that he’d usually make. He’s makes a couple of those and he’s at 50%. He also had some pretty wide open looks in the post from like 5-8 feet that he just missed in OT. But that’s all you can ask for against great players, make them take challenge shots and hope they don’t go in. LBJ to his credit took only one bad shot last night IMO which was a long 2 with plenty of time on the clock. The rest were drives to the basket or something from out of the post which are all good looks for him.
ClipperChuck - January 12, 2012
Considering his usual FG% right now
Holding him to 36.8% is like holding anyone else to 25% shooting. It’s more than just a bad shooting night.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Yeah Wade missed a lot of easy shots he usually makes
I think the foot affected the jumper.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Yes!
Let’s hear it for CRAZY EYES! He got hot in the second half.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
After his bad start, I thought we were finally going to see a bad game from Butler
I didn’t realize how wrong I was until midway through the 4th and he had 19 pts. I kinda think they had him shoot that tech because it got him to 20 haha.
Erik O - January 12, 2012
Butler was a GREAT pickup - worth the money IMO
Jax - January 12, 2012
I thought the same thing about the tech. Keep his 20 point streak alive.
Michael White - January 12, 2012
Does anyone else question if Blake has the clutch gene?
Believe me, I love the way CP3 took over as I was beginning to think we did not get the CP3 we traded for. But Blake does not seem to ever demand or want the ball in the 4th quarter of tight games. When he does shoot, he seems to lack the same confidence as in the 1st half of games. Even last year EJ was pretty much always our 4th quarter guy while Blake did most of his damage in the 1st half.
This is more of the eyeball test from watching Blake play ever game with the Clippers. There may be stats that show differently. But to me he does not seem to want the ball in or perform that well in close games against big time competition.
PV Mike - January 12, 2012
I don’t know about ever. I’ll agree, Blake was struggling badly in the second half last night, but I think that’s the point. He knew his shot wasn’t dropping so why would he be demanding the ball when better options (notably Paul and Butler) were on the floor?
Michael White - January 12, 2012
This was another thing i was reflecting on; is Blake clutch...
…maybe …maybe not. Granted we have not seen it really yet. However, to his defense , Blake is a smart guy and knows the game well and that he is not currently the best skilled for the clutch play, that there was someone better suited on the court to defer to; Baron, Gordon, Paul. ….now Blake does know what he is good at in any setting and will always ask for it if it’s there, the ally oop.
Takebb909 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
He was very clutch against Indiana last year
but I think he knew he was struggling so he smartly let the players who were rolling (Paul and Butler) carry the load of the offense. As Belgian said it is hard for big men to be clutch as they can’t control when they get the ball, I think when Blake is on a roll or just not struggling he is a great player in the clutch. However he wasn’t going to jeopardize the game by forcing the issue when he wasn’t playing so well.
bestclipfan - January 12, 2012
I think he gets tired during the end of games.
shay - January 12, 2012
He also got doubled every time he touched the ball...
And he passed out of it quickly. I thought he played well. He hit a critical three. With a little confidence in his eighteen-footer and at the foul line, the guy can challenge for a scoring title. Imagine that? An average of 28 pts. and 11 rebounds. There’s no reason that can’t happen. Actually, I expect it to happen.
Clutch will follow.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
It's unreasonable to expect an unfinished product to be clutch
which admitedly he may never be, but Blake as we’ve pointed out needs to be confident in his offensive repertoire first. He’s got the post up, spin back into the defender move, the 18-footer and needs a driving hook or some threat off the dribble. The most important for clutch situations is that it is instinctive.
ganima - January 12, 2012
His D has been pretty clutch though
I do like his intensity level on that end in the 4th quarter. Last season Blake always had great first halves and often disappeared in the 2nd half. Then we said maybe it’s because teams we’re seeing him for the first time. Now, maybe he’s just a first half player. I dunno, love him anyway i can take him (wait, what?).
chrisd - January 12, 2012
Nice layup towards the end
Jax - January 12, 2012
he hit that difficult shot off the glass over 2 heat defenders near the end of the 4th quarter
that was huge.
Being clutch for a big is difficult.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Not for all time great bigs
if Blake turns into one, he will show that gene.
bacek - January 12, 2012
yes but second season
and so on… it is hard to criticize him for not being there yet.
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
especially one where the off season was interrupted by the strike.
mustang6944 - January 12, 2012
don't know
Kareem 2nd season after being drafted by an expansion team….
championship
I’m talking about all-time greats.
Does Magic count as a big?
bacek - January 12, 2012
Shaq, Duncan, Barkley, Malone...
All of the modern era “greats” at the 4/5 were neer viewed as clutch in their first two seasons let alone the rest of their careers. Seems your definition of clutch is a much defined by their play in the closing minutes as it is by champioships.
ganima - January 12, 2012
Yes - just said the same thing above
Jax - January 12, 2012
blake is my favorite player in the nba.....
with that said you are exactly right he’s not a clutch player yet.
can’t wait for that to happen eventually. when he begins to make his free throws he will be more confident at the end of the game.
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
This whole clutch criticism is ridiculous
I just re-watched the OT and the 1st two times Blake got the ball they Heat doubled down on him hard and he smartly kicked it back out. The 3rd and 4th possessions he was constantly calling for the ball but they couldn’t get it to him and Chauncey was called for the charge.
Blake then pulled down a clutch defensive rebound when Wade clocked him.
His next clutch play was the driving layup that others have mentioned over THREE Heat defenders including Bosh and Wade.
He did brick the 20 footer where he hesitated, but for a 2nd year player I’d say he was pretty clutch down the stretch and still needs some refinement to be consistently clutch.
ganima - January 12, 2012
My two cents for what it's worth
- My most enjoyable game to watch as a 3 year Clipper fanatic
- Reggie Evans in beast mode, but don’t put him on the line
- Blake’s 3 pointer looked looked effortless and beautiful, when he doesn’t have
too much time to think about it, it comes natururally.
- VDN coaching was great, no complaints here
- CP3 worth every penny, nice guy too.
rouse77 - January 12, 2012
I expect a lot of Hack-a-Shaq this year
With both Reggie and DJ. Teams will do it. DJ hit both his freethrows in Portland if I remember right, so he’s been working on them. He’s not hopeless. He really seems to want to improve in this area.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
DJ's FT's have actually looked better
and strangely enough he seems to make them in the 4th quarter, it is almost like he feels insulted that he is being exploited in the “Hack-a-Shaq” and he makes a point of focusing in on the shot.
bestclipfan - January 12, 2012
The hack-a-Lebron worked last night!
Thretch - January 12, 2012
Biggest lesson to learn.....
Is that we have a championship caliber starting five and sixth man. In our rotations, we should always have at least any 2 of Chris, Caron, Chauncey, Blake and Mo. Always.
Takebb909 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
a point to add...
We will not go far in the playoffs, if we don’t discover a low post game.
Takebb909 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
8th game you know
still 58 games to figure that out
BelgianClipper - January 12, 2012
Blake Griffin is our low post offense.
Think we do need one more off the bench if we are going to continue to go full bench mode in games. Someone to pair with Evans may be Thompkins or a FA length would be a bonus.
KillaClip - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Ike!
ganima - January 12, 2012
it is kinda scary
that sometimes there does appear to be offensive droughts where the shots aren’t falling. If the clips are looking for an easy shot in the paint to break a drought, it’s just not coming. Miami was doubling Blake pretty hard in the paint in the 2nd, and behind him there no one else in the front court that can be counted on to get a basket in the paint. DJ will just get fouled on the catch anywhere near the basket, and same with Reggie. Behind Blake, you’re pretty much counting on a 6 foot point guard if you need an easy basket in the paint…
osamu - January 12, 2012
Coach Paul.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
2nd half Game thread
almost 1200 comments!!…i think that’s a CN record?
Lawler's Law - January 12, 2012
Mo Williams SF?
My game ball has to go to Mo Williams for the few plays that he had to guard Battier. I thought he actually did a good job! Was he officially playing small forward during the 3-guard lineup?
theloniousdrunk - January 12, 2012
Last Nights Game Is Why
I want to see DJ on the floor getting regular rotation minutes and finishing games.
This is not a knock on Reggie. It is a DJ fanboy comment. LOL
Buddahfan - January 12, 2012
The tiny-men lineup...
Made a couple of appearances last night. Not for very long. Gameflow.
-Around 40 seconds at the end of the first half: Billups, Paul, Foye, Evans, Jordan for -1.
-Three minutes early in the fourth: Billups, Williams, Foye, Evans, Jordan for -2
-Swap in Paul for Foye for thirty seconds for -1
-Swap in Griffin for Evans for a minute and go +3.
So, I’m not really looking at who’s on the other side of the court, but it’s all pretty meh. Again it only happens when Billups is resting and it’s decidedly better than the swap 5 thing VDN did in the first half.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
We shouldn't ignore one great thing about Vinny Del Negro...
His suits. He looked good last night. Well tailored light grey checked suit with a white shirt and a silver rep tie. Didn’t notice his shoes but I’m assuming there were Italian or equivalent. His hair was, as always, spot on.
You might laugh, but part of the reason I felt MDSr finally had to go were his outfits kept getting worse and worse.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
Worse and worse??
They were legendary! I would retire Dunleavy’s suits and hang them up in Staples Center for that matter.
JackduhSun - January 12, 2012
You know Jack, you're right.
There should be a website dedicated to MDSr’s look. The rounded high collar was my fave. And when he combined that with the really really fat Windsor knot. Blew me away.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
LOL
Definitely was hard to take him seriously when he looked like he’d been plucked straight off the set of WKRP in Cincinnati.
boltsfan21 - January 12, 2012
He's a good looking guy
No homo.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
I’ve heard the phrase “No homo” before and I don’t quite know how it works. Who is it directed at? Yourself or the person you refer to?
WaveOcean - January 12, 2012
It's supposed to be a way to say, "but I'm not gay."
It’s what a lot of dudes say, mostly because they’re kind of homophobic about admitting that someone of the same gender can be attractive. I mean it as a joke since the phrase is pretty dumb. There’s a funny song by The Lonely Island called “No Homo” that satires the phrase.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
and its incredibly offensive
yaggiefresh - January 12, 2012 via mobile
It is.
I hate the phrase, actually.
Chris McD - January 12, 2012
So do I
Michael White - January 12, 2012
john, I don't care what my coach looks like, I want him to be able to coach his ass off and motivate my clippers! he could look like larry the cable guy for all I care.
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
I think that was my point.
John Raffo - January 12, 2012
Ok!
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
I totally missed that one! LoL
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
Rotations were not only tight but quality
VDN rolled out the dreaded all bench (Mo-Foye-Gomes-Evans-Cookie) lineup in the 1st half but we never saw it again. He smartly replaced CP3 in the 2nd half with Chauncey and rotated DJ out early (DJ went to the locker room for a short stint, so assuming he had a stinger), but that put Evans in with Blake early, and then rotated DJ in later so that Cookie never got off the bench.
One or more starter should always play with the 2nd unit to avoid the lulls and keep less effective players on the pine.
ganima - January 12, 2012
DJ played some good defense towards the end of the game.
His last 2-3 blocks were not of the highlight variety, but more effective, keeping them in play and grabbing some key boards.
Evans, superb.
Caron never wavered; he hit huge shots and played good defense.
Man, it was amazing to see CP3 breakdown an entire defense on one end and get right back on defense without missing a beat. He was just incredible last night. I wanted him to hit that floater in regulation just to witness Staples ERUPT.
I was a bit saddened that my section didn’t understand why I was chanting “DELONTE” every time LeBron went to the line. I thought it was effective.
dvnbtn - January 12, 2012
lebron had a tough game
pretty telling that Lebron can play 42 minutes, and end up with a team high (or low?) plus minus of -9
Dwade on the other hand plays the exact same number of minutes and ends up with a plus minus of +2
osamu - January 12, 2012
Great Article Steve.
And a good game all around by the Clippers. Chris Paul finally showed why we traded so much for him. Not that he hasnt been good already but last night he was phenomenal, and truly looked like one of the best PGs in the game. Chauncey with the big free throws at the end. Caron nothing short of spectacular in the second half. Blake great first half and the huge layup in OT. And my game ball goes to Deandre. So many blocks and all of them huge.
jerbear1993 - January 12, 2012
Also..
Big shout out to Reggie Evans. He played a monster game and even guarded Lebron for a bit. Quickly becoming one of my favorites too
jerbear1993 - January 12, 2012
It's hard to figure DeAndre out.
These are the types of games that we paid him to have, obviously, but he also gets way too careless on defense by being overaggressive and going for blocks too much to the point where it leaves himself and everyone else out of position. I’m talking about being out of position for just defense but also rebounding position since guys can cut in when he leaves his feet. While he did block six shots last night, the best defense he played was actually staying down on the floor and making Bosh either turn the ball over or fire up a dud. DeAndre needs to stay down more. I do love the blocks, though.
FlyByKnight - January 12, 2012
flyby that's what I'm sayin....
I cannot figure jordan out!
man when he’s going good he looks good with the block shots and the throwdowns and with the long arms in peoples face.
then you have the disappearing act, hardly any rebounds always out of position always going for the pump fake, hard to figure, I do believe he’ll get better the more he plays with chris paul 2 point out his mistakes.
ThaFoX - January 12, 2012 via Android app
He's definitely becoming more consistent
Last POR game aside, he’s done a good job of staying home rather than going after every fake. He did a solid job against Scola (the master of head fakes, jukes, jabs…) and against Aldridge in the first matchup and in those games he had 1 total block.
I do agree he needs to consistently hit the boards. He still relies on his jumping ability/long arms rather than battling for position and like most of our team has trouble boxing out. However, he’s definitely showing marked improvement and living up to his salary.
ganima - January 12, 2012
end the cook love affair
We got a look at dj and evans playing together and it worked defensively, just like my 2k said it would
flightofthegriffin - January 12, 2012 via mobile
You are joking right?
Sorry, but please don’t compare your 2k simulation to the NBA. In my 2k games, CP3 averages 30 points and BG only 10. Doesn’t mean a thing either than the fact that I know how to use PGs but not PFs.
SurfinQ00 - January 12, 2012
in 2k simulation, blake never averages nuumbers as good as his rookie numbers... so yeah, now a good bet
LJ Hann - January 12, 2012
easy there
Erik O - January 12, 2012
that'S probably becaUse you aren't very good at the game
have you heard of sarCasm or you always just this annoying? The fact is this worKed in the NBA gaMe. Point being cook needs less plaY time. reggie BALLS evans needs all cook’s minutes.
flightofthegriffin - January 14, 2012
so your telling me we can just
trade all of our junk players to Orlando and maybe another team to get Dwight Howard?
and if either team is not interested, we can just pick “yes” to override it and make it happen?
we need to listen to 2k more often.
i think we can also create a player with max stats and sign him for the minimum right…let’s do it!
KidJustin - January 13, 2012
You can disable overrides and make the game as realistic as possible
It values players based on a certain # of stars, and you have to make it fair.
Erik O - January 13, 2012
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