GAME 41 at LA Clippers, Preview & Game Thread
Forty-one games ago, as Elton Brand wailed in pain and Mike Dunleavy gnashed in unrest, we asked who would finish the season with the better record: Sacramento or the Clippers?
62% picked the Clippers, and this was way, way before the Mike Bibby injury. Yes we are optimists, yes we are biased... but yes, we are (halfway) vindicated.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (12-25) 101.2 ORtg (#29), 106.7 DRtg (# 9), 92.0 Pace (#11)
BALLHYPE | NBA.com PREVIEW | CLIPS NATION
The Clippers do not score well, second worst points-per-possession rate, behind only those potent SuperSonics (who have a 19-year-old as the offensive centerpiece). Corey Maggette, as we know, can score his ass off. Sam Cassell can drill it, Chris Kaman knows his way around the basket (especially against Brad Miller) and Al Thornton (like Kenny Thomas) can flat-out score. It doesn't add up, though, likely because a) Cassell been injured and minutes-starved, b) Thornton can score only because he takes too many shots, c) Brevin Knight is the anti-A.I.
I appreciate the pass-first point guard as much as anyone, but: You cannot win consistently with a PG who's afraid of shooting the basketball. Look at New Jersey: Jason Kidd's offensive numbers are horrible (horrible!), and NJ often has trouble scoring. Knight's the same thing (without the rebounds and flash) -- he's just not going to shoot. Ever. He makes Orien Greene look like Damon Jones. He's scoring 8.9 points per 40 minutes this year. Comparable: Mikki Moore is scoring 8.2 points per game, in 30 minutes. Mikki Moore gets at most two plays run for him in a normal game. Brevin Knight touches the ball on practically every possession he's in the game. Per-minute, Mikki scores about 30% more than Knight. Chew on it. Work it up real good. (Spit it out, that stuff's nasty.)
The Clips defense has remained surprisingly good -- here's where Knight helps: He's a terrific defender. With Kaman soaking up defensive rebounds and Quinton Ross offering 20 minutes of Hell every night, the #9 defense in the league almost makes sense. The Clips handcuffed Kevin Martin last year -- Speed went for 13 points on .333 FG% in four matches in 2006-07. Ross is a big part of that; also, the Clippers zone (with plenty of away-from-the-basket doubles) spells trouble, since Martin won't ever take a bad shot (which is good for the team and bad for Martin's stats).
If the Sacramento offense clicks like it did last night, it might not be a competitive game. I suppose you have to decide whether Tuesday was a positive aberration or whether it was a true sign of sustainable potential. The Clippers, surprisingly, are a good test.
Game's at 7:30 p.m. Go Kings.
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128 comments
Comments
Totally off subject but
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 5:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
bahumbug
(haha, just kidding - who's defending Roy?)
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 6:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
MoPete is actually
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 6:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting,
I'm going to make a prediction: if the Blazers don't get a high draft pick, they'll be a big player in the garbajosa auction this summer. If they get a monstruous point guard, they'll be a complete team. Though, they have depth at the pg spot to develop a youngn or two, yet. Would be really surprised if Jarrett or Blake aren't moved by the start of next season.
Here's to hoping we keep Beno!
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 7:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 7:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Makes sense
Exciting.
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bo---rrrrang
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't hating the lakers
Quote of the night: Popovich was asked why did he think Manu would give the SPurs the necessary spark. Pop's reply? "He is Manu Ginobli." Hilarious.
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You damn Islanders & loyalty
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yessssirrr
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I talked a lot of Smack
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 24, 2008 8:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pissed off
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 7:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
never...
by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 23, 2008 8:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope
by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2008 7:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm an optimist
by CAB on Jan 23, 2008 7:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
too many jumpers
by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2008 7:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
terrible shot by Bibby
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 7:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Is he really playing that badly?
Plus, Kmart 0-3? Hows Ronnie? Is Salmons being a catholic schoolgirl?
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Quite frankly
Oh my god I can't believe I just saw Chris Kaman hit that shot. I swear some days.
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Kaman's
by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2008 7:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ummm a thought just hit me
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 7:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd guess
by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2008 7:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Trivia question
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if someone gave Kamen a wedgie...
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 23, 2008 8:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Believe it or not I want the Kings playing well
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Amen brother
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No I don't think that's it
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ahhh
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well yes that too
That being said Gasol isn't worth as much as the Grizz think he is. That's true of just about every player short of the name superstars.
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ronnie is 1-5
PS: Wedgie? Don't need to go that far. Give him a lighter, cavemen are always fascinated with fire. So enraptured would he be, that Brad will be able to drive the lane.
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
True enuff....
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 23, 2008 8:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I see Sam Amick on the phone
On the flip side I think somebody should make Kaman get his head shaved like you would when you join the military. See how his brain waves react to that!
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Atlanta is down 4 now after being down
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nevermind Atl will lose--Forget everything I said
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
According to NBA.com boxscore
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
To quote a friend
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Lord, what a visual that is...
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 23, 2008 8:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I cleaned it up some too
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank something this crappalicious half is over
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure what's scarier
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
& it's surely a better visual...
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 23, 2008 8:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure what it says about anybody else
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
What do you think it's be like...
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 23, 2008 8:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You just know
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 8:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay Section
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 8:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
On second thought...
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 23, 2008 8:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Check this shot-chart out
We can't hit from inside the paint. Conversely, our game last night:
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=280122023
Points in the paint. Hmmmmmm.... How is Ron Artest playing. Specifically with respect to team chemistry. I'm dying to find out the answer to this question. Is he overconfident from his good shooting last night and therefore jacking up threes? Or is he clogging up the lane trying to post-up?
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 8:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Gee I can't wait for "
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ron just got one, too.
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Minus Cisco
C'mon! I blame this on Theus. Grab Salmons by the collar, tell him to penetrate the paint, and send him to war.
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 9:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Do my eyes deceive me???
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I love Franky some days more than others
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
This time Artest got fouled on Maggette
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
This is extremely amusing
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Artest the black hole
Why can't we play all of our gamnes against teams that play no D? We look so much better.
Hooray, Theus finally pulls Artest!!
by SavageBeast on Jan 23, 2008 9:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kaman just got called for a tech
Am I the only person who finds Brad Baby amusing? He starts out at 6'10 and by the time he gets to the basket he manages to shoot like he was 6'1 at the basket. He has to be the only player in history to gravitate 6 inches off the floor for more than 2 feet at a time. It's a modern miracle I tell ya.
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Al Thornton is athletic
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The second of a back to back
by SavageBeast on Jan 23, 2008 9:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yuck
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Sacramento Kings
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nice trap
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
does consistently best^^^^ (my bad yo!)
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think I've ever heard a guy
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I heard it, too.
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm telling you Section
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rant I have a message for you
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone see this or am I late to the party?
by idjpg85 on Jan 23, 2008 9:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Umm
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
K9(woof!)
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe John Salmons should play.........
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The NBA
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
From the League Pass commercial
The NBA: Where promotions or commercials that are completely craptastic and outdated happens
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if the 3000 Clipper "fans"
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kings basketball
by SavageBeast on Jan 23, 2008 9:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Wow
by ihatehawes on Jan 23, 2008 9:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and let me tell you about a kid
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 9:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No fair
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Twenty turnovers
by SavageBeast on Jan 23, 2008 9:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Sacramento Kings
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
At least
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry.
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 9:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yet another argument for trading
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Sacramento Kings
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Sacramento Kings
Where our free throw percentage is lower than our opponents three-point percentage (yes).
Where the guy that saved our season gets 9 minutes of action (Beno).
Where our bench role thinks/knows they play better than the starters.
Where an unathletic fat guy is our most reliable player (brew-skies, anyone?).
Where I'd rather see us put 20 million in salary on the bench (Bibby+Artest), and waive another 12 million (SAR and K9).
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 10:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure what was more exciting
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 9:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well,
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 9:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You get to see her cleavage after the game
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 10:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Great Northwest
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Better than LA tonight
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 10:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What is it
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Wizards of Westwood...
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 24, 2008 8:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
White guy dunk alert! White guy dunk alert!
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 10:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
100 posts
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
You forget the Pookey quotient factor
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 10:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes,
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
81 points scored
Ron Artest did not defend tonight, if their frontcourt dominated the way it did. If he stops those slashers, then our bigs focus more on their bigs. This game needed Ronnie to be a game-changer. Instead he chooses to chuck bullshit threes.
Trade the mother. I don't care if we don't get back anything better than getting rid of K-9.
I'm giving Bibby more chances - but I think Theus has to redefine his utilization.
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 10:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Petrie missed one
Maybe he should have gone No. 10. Games like tonight show how bad we need a stud at the 4.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 10:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm happy for Al
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thonrton
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 10:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No Doubt
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And who wants a chucker like that guy.
by jjham15 on Jan 23, 2008 11:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay my last post
by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2008 10:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hawed Rules
by Mikey G on Jan 23, 2008 10:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
All for this
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 10:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thankfully
I'd sure like to see him get some real time, though.
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Al Thorton v Hawes
by Mikey G on Jan 23, 2008 10:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
by iashwash on Jan 23, 2008 10:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Al
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 10:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Just like last night
Unfortunately that's the +/- numbers, and all minus naturally.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 10:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
nba.com
http://www.nba.com/games/20080123/SACLAC/gameinfo.html?nav=scoreboardhome
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I used Yahoo
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 10:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah,
by section214 on Jan 23, 2008 10:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's like I said earlier
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 11:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
A game like tonight
On the bright side, we played almost as bad as this against Toronto recently and beat the Pistons on the road in the next game.
Let's hope they can return to their A game, because they can't afford many mulligans at this point.
Scoreboard watching: Lakers lost, Portland lost and Houston barely squeaked by the Sonics. Denver won.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 23, 2008 10:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
All I have to say is one word.
by jjham15 on Jan 23, 2008 11:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Looking back
If you start off cold from outside, and refuse to start taking it to the hole, this is what happens.
by Kfan in Korea on Jan 24, 2008 3:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Utterly Crapalicous.
But props to the Clipps. They showed up ready to play & defend. They were certainly the better team.They deserved to win.
by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 24, 2008 8:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

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