Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

[fluent2332]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

CP3 going to the Clips was the worst thing for the Lakers.

For one, they don't have anyone who can stay in front of him (not that many teams do). He's also the best pick n roll PG in the league which means you're going to have to fight through a ton of pics. Not only this but the Lakers bigs are not comfortable away from the hoop on D. Last year Griffin (and to some extent Jordan) had trouble finishing over the Lakers length (like many teams do). With Paul being a wizard on the P&R it forces Bynum/Gasol to step out to either hedge or pick up Blake (not so much Jordan since he literally can't score outside the paint). Blake's ball-handling and footwork is very good for a younger player and their mobility neutralizes Bynum & Pau's length when they're on the move.

You could see last night that Blake stuggled when he tried to post up Gasol. He was much more effective when he had him on the perimeter driving the ball at him. It also keeps another big from clogging the lane.

Once Deandre develops a semblance of an offensive game & they add a quality backup big they are going to be a force. Caron has to stay healthy too, mainly because he's going to have to guard the opposing teams best 2/3.

Good analysis. I like this Clippers team. Can they win the West though? With CP3 I guess anything is possible. Blake has to continue getting better and as a team they have to rebound the ball. If they do that they will be a force to be reckoned with. It looks to me like Chris Paul has never been better. I hope they stay healthy and continue to create chemistry.

[1Rose]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Good analysis. I like this Clippers team. Can they win the West though? With CP3 I guess anything is possible. Blake has to continue getting better and as a team they have to rebound the ball. If they do that they will be a force to be reckoned with. It looks to me like Chris Paul has never been better. I hope they stay healthy and continue to create chemistry.

You must have missed the 07-08 season then.

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

You must have missed the 07-08 season then.

Yeah, I'll never forget that Mavs/Hornets series when he was straight abusing J-Kidd. Then you could read his lips saying, "He can't hold me!" That's when I realized the greatness of CP3.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Yeah, I'll never forget that Mavs/Hornets series when he was straight abusing J-Kidd. Then you could read his lips saying, "He can't hold me!" That's when I realized the greatness of CP3.

I actually started to feel bad for Kidd that series.

It's amazing how that didn't end his career and that he's looked pretty damn good following that embarrassing series.

[ZB9]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Over the last ten game Dallas has held opponents to 84.2 points per game and allowed them to convert only 40.2 percent of their field-goal attempts. While doing this their record is 8-2. It certainly seems as though the Mavs are jelling and headed in the right direction.

[The 24th Letter]

Have y'all played any quality teams besides the Thunder?

Not taking anything away, just asking...

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

A win is a win in this league buddy. We've played the Heat, Thunder, Celts, Spurs and Nuggets as far as "good" teams go. We'll find out a lot more about what this team is gonna be here in the next month or so. Huge games coming up starting with LA.

[ZB9]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Have y'all played any quality teams besides the Thunder?

Not taking anything away, just asking...

good point lol

the win against the Thunder was impressive and tomorrow against the Lakers will be an interesting test

[The 24th Letter]

A win is a win in this league buddy. We've played the Heat, Thunder, Celts, Spurs and Nuggets as far as "good" teams go. We'll find out a lot more about what this team is gonna be here in the next month or so. Huge games coming up starting with LA.

Not taking anything away, just asking...

But yeah, LA should be interesting.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Have y'all played any quality teams besides the Thunder?

Not taking anything away, just asking...

The Celtics. And I would call the Suns and Bucks at least decent. Regardless of who you're playing, holding teams to 84 points per game and not giving up 100 since the third game of the year is pretty damn impressive. Especially since this team was supposed to become "soft" again with Chandler and Stevenson leaving.

And yeah, tomorrow night against the Lakers, and this entire week in general with a game against the Clippers on Wednesday and a game against the Jazz as well will be a good test. But if they play defense the way they have in this five game win streak, they can beat all three of those teams.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

I've never seen a fanbase so proud of a loss as the Lakers fanbase. Obviously not everyone, but it astonishes how many of them are so willing to brag about Kobe getting 40 in a loss. If Dirk dropped 60 and the Mavs lost I'd be pissed. Obviously I'd think it was a great effort by Dirk but I wouldn't be going around bragging about it.

[Drewski]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

I've never seen a fanbase so proud of a loss as the Lakers fanbase. Obviously not everyone, but it astonishes how many of them are so willing to brag about Kobe getting 40 in a loss. If Dirk dropped 60 and the Mavs lost I'd be pissed. Obviously I'd think it was a great effort by Dirk but I wouldn't be going around bragging about it.

Yeah, cant believe I even read headlines talking on Kobe getting his 4th straight 40+ game. Shouldn't be allowed to speak on something like that when they still lost.

Very weird night though, despite Kobe shooting up a TON of shots (3/12 1st half did the Lakers in), the loss still falls squarely on two factors.

1. Defense. Poor effort in transition with a team that can push the tempo.
2. REBOUNDING! The Clippers picked up 17 offensive rebounds, that's just unacceptable. Also, overall, the Lakers had 42 rebounds to the Clippers 50. I believe (could be wrong) the Lakers were leading the league in rebounding going into the game, as well.

Could have won despite the Kobe show, needed those offensive rebounds to be stopped (probably turned into at least 3 3 point plays, very frustrating.). The Lakers would need a stop, would get it, only to not rebound the ball while the Clippers dropped in another bucket.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

I've never seen a fanbase so proud of a loss as the Lakers fanbase. Obviously not everyone, but it astonishes how many of them are so willing to brag about Kobe getting 40 in a loss. If Dirk dropped 60 and the Mavs lost I'd be pissed. Obviously I'd think it was a great effort by Dirk but I wouldn't be going around bragging about it.

Shouldn't be surprised.

"Who cares we lost bro, Kobe made 40 points, let's go pop bottles in Hollywood bro, he's so sick"

[Boltman]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Yeah, cant believe I even read headlines talking on Kobe getting his 4th straight 40+ game. Shouldn't be allowed to speak on something like that when they still lost.

Very weird night though, despite Kobe shooting up a TON of shots (3/12 1st half did the Lakers in), the loss still falls squarely on two factors.

1. Defense. Poor effort in transition with a team that can push the tempo.
2. REBOUNDING! The Clippers picked up 17 offensive rebounds, that's just unacceptable. Also, overall, the Lakers had 42 rebounds to the Clippers 50. I believe (could be wrong) the Lakers were leading the league in rebounding going into the game, as well.

Could have won despite the Kobe show, needed those offensive rebounds to be stopped (probably turned into at least 3 3 point plays, very frustrating.). The Lakers would need a stop, would get it, only to not rebound the ball while the Clippers dropped in another bucket.

Pretty spot on, yea those offensive boards for the Clips just decimated the Lakers. Like you said, many reasons they lost but the offensive glass cleaning for the Clips was the biggest reason.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: Game Discussion Thread 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- After a few hours of sleep and a little time to cool off, Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown still didn't like what he saw from Los Angeles Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin during Saturday's loss at Staples Center.

With 12.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Lakers rookie point guard Darius Morris drove from the left wing, drawing a foul on Chris Paul. After the whistle, Morris continued to the basket and rose up for a dunk, receiving contact in his midsection from Griffin, enough to send the reedy, 6-foot-4, 190-pounder to the floor. On the bench, Brown received a technical foul and had to be restrained by assistant coaches John Kuester and Chuck Person.

Following the game, Brown called the play "dangerous." Sunday in El Segundo, Brown said he'd ask the league to examine the tape.

"That's a tough play. I'm just curious; I'd like to know the league's ruling on that after they watch it on tape, just to see so I have a better understanding," Brown said. "Because what I was told when it happened was, in a nutshell, it's okay to push a guy in the air as long as he doesn't get hurt, or it doesn't look like he's going to get hurt. So it's a judgment call. The whistle clearly had been blown ... you still think that you'd protect a guy's safety."

Brown made it clear he doesn't believe Griffin is a malicious player or intended to hurt Morris but was nonetheless disappointed in the non-call.

"I'm just talking about the general safety of anybody that's in the air after a play is called, and they get pushed -- and it was a push, you could see it on the tape -- and nothing was called? I wonder why," he said.

More than punishment for Griffin, Brown indicated he wanted clarification from the NBA.

"I picked up a technical foul because I thought there was a rule there. Apparently, it's not a rule from what I was told at the time. It's a judgment call by the official. So I just want to know after reviewing the play, was the judgment call correct," Brown said.

"I don't know what the appropriate response would be, I'm interested in what the response is."

The play in question was just one of many moments of chippiness during Saturday's game, which saw five technical fouls assessed -- four on the Lakers, one on the Clippers.

Following the game, Brown said he apologized to his team at halftime for drawing the technical foul, allowing the Clippers to gain an extra point. Sunday, he reinforced that message.

"I'm not out there sweating and defending, and all that other stuff, and fighting through screens. I acted the way I did because I did think it was wrong, and I got a technical, and hopefully it brought some light to what happened. You hate giving up the point when those guys are out there fighting the way that they're fighting," he said.

"If it happened again, I'd probably do it again, but if I can help it I'd do it without giving up the point."

MB on Blake's push