Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

[jujuhound]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Yes I am sure you think you know what you're talking about. As if the Mavericks were so good teams would go to such extreme measures to avoid them.

I don't think it's so much avoiding the Mavs as getting to play the Nuggets. Would you rather be at home and facing a 44 win team or on the road facing a 60 win team? You're kidding yourself if you don't think that is a huge incentive.

[bkrich83]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

I don't think it's so much avoiding the Mavs as getting to play the Nuggets. Would you rather be at home and facing a 44 win team or on the road facing a 60 win team? You're kidding yourself if you don't think that is a huge incentive.

I just don't see teams throwing games. To win a championship you're gonna need to play teams like the Mavericks or Spurs anyway.

Knowing I had the playoffs locked up, and knowing they are long grinding series, I wouldn't have played any of my starters, or would have played them very little going in to these last few games.

If the Clippers truly threw games, which I doubt, then they deserve to lose and probably will in the first round as I believe that sends the wrong message to your players.

[Playmakers]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Yes I am sure you think you know what you're talking about. As if the Mavericks were so good teams would go to such extreme measures to avoid them.

Hey buddy I didn't make those words come out of Kaman's mouth. The Clippers were 0-3 vs Dallas regardless if you believe the Mavs aren't that good or not but the the bottom line the Clippers all of a sudden started dropping games down the stretch.

You have your opinion and I have my suspicious just like several other NBA writters pointed about the Clippers. Kaman made comments that just feel like a flat out lie as to what their intentions were.



Tony Mejia offers opinions on his main beat, the NBA, and whatever else he feels like.


Updated: Apr/19/2006 01:02 AM

You've got to love that the Memphis/L.A. Clippers game didn't feature Pau Gasol, Chris Kaman, Cuttino Mobley, Corey Maggette or Vladimir Radmanovic.

That would've never happened had these two been fighting for homecourt advantage in a 4-5 matchup in the Western Conference, which is what's wrong with the current seeding system. Still, because James Singleton had a superb night, the Clips staged a late comeback to make their 101-95 loss look respectable. In fairness, the five players on the court in the final minutes all wanted to win the game, but it's not like the Clips' comeback effort would've featured Daniel Ewing, Zeljko Rebraca, Walter McCarty or Boniface N'dong.

Mike Miller's 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining clinched things, making it 99-93, and with that shot -- as well as the personnel decisions made by both coaches -- two playoff matchups are set. The Grizzlies retained the sharpness they'll need leading into a brawl with Dallas. The L.A. Clippers rested their regulars for what will be a weekend home game to start their series against Denver.

It is what it is, and until the competition committee can get the NBA to make some changes, L.A. did nothing wrong. The Clippers avoid the Spurs and Mavericks until a potential Western Conference Finals.

[Pointguard]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Its a difference of losing in the 1st round and going to the WCF.

[bkrich83]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Hey buddy I didn't make those words come out of Kaman's mouth. The Clippers were 0-3 vs Dallas regardless if you believe the Mavs aren't that good or not but the the bottom line the Clippers all of a sudden started dropping games down the stretch.

Ughh. The thought of a team tanking a bunch of games down the stretch, and losing end of season momentum to avoid the Mavericks is laughable.

As far as sports writers, they need something to write about. But the the whole thought of this, especially for anyone that's played a sport at any sort of high level, doesn't seem to be remotely feasible.

And in the Clippers shoes, especially with a PG the age of Cassell, knowing I had my playoff spot locked up, I wouldn't have played my starters much if at all either.

[thelwig14]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Ughh. The thought of a team tanking a bunch of games down the stretch, and losing end of season momentum to avoid the Mavericks is laughable.

As far as sports writers, they need something to write about. But the the whole thought of this, especially for anyone that's played a sport at any sort of high level, doesn't seem to be remotely feasible.

And in the Clippers shoes, especially with a PG the age of Cassell, knowing I had my playoff spot locked up, I wouldn't have played my starters much if at all either.

Considering the Mavs have only been knocked out once in the first round of the playoffs in the Dirk era, I would not want to play them in the first round either. Plus, the only loss is explainable because Fatoine was on the roster.

[bkrich83]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Considering the Mavs have only been knocked out once in the first round of the playoffs in the Dirk era, I would not want to play them in the first round either. Plus, the only loss is explainable because Fatoine was on the roster.

Be that as it may. What have they won? It's not like we're talking about one of the all time great teams. Or even the best team in the WC. Good team yes, but I find it hard to believe a team would purposely tank games, just to avoid the Mavs.

[goh]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Maybe they were tanking just so they could have home court. Not like they get to the playoffs every year.

[thelwig14]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Be that as it may. What have they won? It's not like we're talking about one of the all time great teams. Or even the best team in the WC. Good team yes, but I find it hard to believe a team would purposely tank games, just to avoid the Mavs.

Well, they are the second best team in the WC (by a small margin from the Spurs) and they pretty much dominate the Clippers. I think that is enough incentive to takn games and play the Nuggets and get home court. It's an easy call.

[Playmakers]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Its a difference of losing in the 1st round and going to the WCF.

BINGO

The Clippers wanted know parts of Dallas in the first round so they gave that 5th seed to Memphis.

They believe they have a better shot vs Denver and Phoenix as opposed to going through Dallas and San Antonio.

BK keeps saying Dallas isn't all that but hey when fully healthy this is the same Mavs team that beat Detroit, San Antonio and Miami all by 15+ points.

When banged up this is the same Mavs team that went on the road and damn near beat Detroit again and did beat the Spurs on the road.

This is a 60 win team that had countless injuries all year. They could have conceivably won 65 games but hey injuries are apart of the game. The bottom line people keep mistaking this Dallas team as the Don Nelson coached Mavs where you can run and gun all game. This is Avery Johnson's Mavs and with a full arsenal they are going to be hell.

Yes the Spurs finished with the best record 63-19 to 60-22 but Dallas split with them 2-2 on the year and if not for a Keith Van Horn turnover in the last :40 seconds of that 2nd meeting they definetly would have beat the Spurs 3 times this year. IMO like I stated before the season San Antonio and Dallas are the two best teams in the west. The gap between San Antonio and Dallas is closer than people might think now.

The Clippers don't have to be afraid of Dallas but they are a notch below Dallas in terms of overall talent. That was proven all year and since Elton Brand struggled so often vs Dallas this year that matchup didn't favor them and they didn't want to even give it a shot so they tanked plain and simple.

But hey it's the NBA's fault because there playoff structure is screwed up. Hopefully for the Clippers sake the Nuggets don't come back and bite them in the azz for basically saying we would rather play Denver. Carmelo commented on that tonight and he basically said the samething. They will get them now it's up to the Clippers to take care of business.

[Dynasty4Kobe]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Anyone catch that Minnesota game? You wanna see some tanking? Mark Madsen shot 1-15, and took SEVEN three pointers, 5 of them during overtime.

[bkrich83]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

Well, they are the second best team in the WC (by a small margin from the Spurs) and they pretty much dominate the Clippers. I think that is enough incentive to takn games and play the Nuggets and get home court. It's an easy call.

I have a hard time believing professional athletes would tank games for playoff position. Too much pride involved when playing at that level. As far as dominating the Clips, they've won the last 2 games by a combined 4 points, so I don't know how dominating that is.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I am just not buying it. However, if the Clips did in fact tank games, shame on them, I'll be the first to criticize them.

[bkrich83]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

BINGO

The Clippers wanted know parts of Dallas in the first round so they gave that 5th seed to Memphis.

They believe they have a better shot vs Denver and Phoenix as opposed to going through Dallas and San Antonio.

BK keeps saying Dallas isn't all that but hey when fully healthy this is the same Mavs team that beat Detroit, San Antonio and Miami all by 15+ points.

When banged up this is the same Mavs team that went on the road and damn near beat Detroit again and did beat the Spurs on the road.

This is a 60 win team that had countless injuries all year. They could have conceivably won 65 games but hey injuries are apart of the game. The bottom line people keep mistaking this Dallas team as the Don Nelson coached Mavs where you can run and gun all game. This is Avery Johnson's Mavs and with a full arsenal they are going to be hell.

Yes the Spurs finished with the best record 63-19 to 60-22 but Dallas split with them 2-2 on the year and if not for a Keith Van Horn turnover in the last :40 seconds of that 2nd meeting they definetly would have beat the Spurs 3 times this year. IMO like I stated before the season San Antonio and Dallas are the two best teams in the west. The gap between San Antonio and Dallas is closer than people might think now.

The Clippers don't have to be afraid of Dallas but they are a notch below Dallas in terms of overall talent. That was proven all year and since Elton Brand struggled so often vs Dallas this year that matchup didn't favor them and they didn't want to even give it a shot so they tanked plain and simple.

But hey it's the NBA's fault because there playoff structure is screwed up. Hopefully for the Clippers sake the Nuggets don't come back and bite them in the azz for basically saying we would rather play Denver. Carmelo commented on that tonight and he basically said the samething. They will get them now it's up to the Clippers to take care of business.

I am not saying the Mavs aren't good. But they aren't a dynasty type Bulls team either. When they win something let me know. If you've ever been around professional athletes I can't see how tanking a bunch of games, to avoid a team like Dallas is even feasible.

[thelwig14]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

I have a hard time believing professional athletes would tank games for playoff position. Too much pride involved when playing at that level. As far as dominating the Clips, they've won the last 2 games by a combined 4 points, so I don't know how dominating that is.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I am just not buying it. However, if the Clips did in fact tank games, shame on them, I'll be the first to criticize them.

You are correct, too much pride is involved at this level. Therefore, they will do everything in their power to give them a better chance to not get swept in the first round.

[bamalam]

Re: Clippers are getting over like a fat cat

How about division leaders get homecourt advantage only against teams in their own division? If your division is a strong one (Southwest), then you will be rewarded with homecourt against Spurs/Mavs/Grizzlies. If your division is a weak one, you'll get HCA against basically nobody.

We've seen lower seeds take higher seeds to Game 7. Why should Dallas be punished by playing Game 7 in Denver in a 2seed vs. 7seed matchup?

Other than that, base the seedings on team records like bamalam said.

my idea was to REWARD Dallas good reg season by putting them at 2 instead of 4. plus dallas could avoid san until conf finals. better for the fans.

at 2 they would be playing a team with a worse w/l record than at 4.(supposedly weaker team).

to keep divisions relevant at all, you have to give them some incentive to win the division. plus as is, divisions theoretically keep fan interest alive at end of season by keeping hopes up for that 3 slot for the weakest division in ea conference.

hca in first round is, imo, less rewarding than a getting 3 seed just because you won a weak division.

otherwise they should just eliminate divisions altogether, and just have conferences. take the top 8 from each and go with that.

in Dallas' case, they had a good reg season, but couldnt win their division. Finishing 2nd in your division shouldnt be an automatic hca for 1st round matchup in the current setup of divisions.

plus as a 2 seed, if they cant beat a 7 seed in 1st round, tough luck. In second round they would regain hca.