Comments on: 2025 Clippers Exit Interviews: Kai Jones

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Tue, 20 May 2025 03:04:53 +0000

Don’t really think so

By: Thretch

Thretch — Mon, 19 May 2025 22:23:09 +0000

My complaint about the PG from OKC trade: But have to rewind to the 2018 draft. Clips took Jerome Robinson with the 13th pick. Ultimately a terrible pick, with several more established prospects available. In particular they could have drafted Michael Porter Jr. I’m not a huge fan of MPJ, but at least he was an NBA asset.

So in 2019 when they sent SGA and a bunch of picks to OKC for PG; they could have included MPJ instead of one of the other picks (or even SGA!). So they would have one more 1st round pick that they owned. And Jerome was NOT an asset in the summer of 2019.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Mon, 19 May 2025 22:18:19 +0000

*Spider-man pointing meme

By: chogokin

chogokin — Mon, 19 May 2025 22:18:02 +0000

The Knicks or Pacers.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Mon, 19 May 2025 15:57:18 +0000

If you re-evaluate the SGA for PG trade at this point in time, I think it would be even or maybe tilt OKC. With PG we did get to a conference final and he did lead us there after Kawhi went down in the ’21 playoffs.

Since SGA joined OKC they’ve had 3 losing seasons and now 2 seasons as the #1 seed and have made their first conference finals.

With PG we had 5 winning seasons, 1 conference finals appearance, 1 2nd round finish, 2 first round finishes, and 1 play in.

If OKC were to lose to Minnesota, I don’t think one could say we were worse off for having traded for PG but for Kawhi’s health situation.

But where I think the trade does look tough for LAC is that we traded a guy who was a #2 option for us for a guy who is a legit #1 option and is the likely MVP. Of the draft picks we gave up, Jalen Williams is the only good player that OKC drafted. He’s an all star but I don’t think he’s a max player and I do expect that OKC would trade him to get someone like Giannis should they fall short.

Of course, if OKC makes the finals and wins the chip, then the prospect of having 2 former Clippers being starters on a championship team will be a bitter pill.

I think there’s a fair argument that letting Hartenstein walk for John Wall was more impactful than trading SGA for PG.

So, yes, I will be rooting for Minnesota in this round. I grew up a Knicks fan and still support them when LAC isn’t in the mix, so I’ll be rooting for them too.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Mon, 19 May 2025 06:58:53 +0000

OKC beats Denver in Game 7 similar to how the Clips folded at Denver in Game 7 of Round 1. All bets were off after the Gordon hamstring diagnosis. He was very solid in Q1, but definitely limited. I think Denver would’ve been better off not playing him and giving all the minutes to Strawther and Watson. Those 2 guys needed the early reps to build confidence and give Jokic something to work with. When Caruso came in and Scott Foster and his crew decided no more fouls would be called in the paint, Jokic didn’t have many options to pass to. They played 3 v 5 for most of the game; OKC ratcheted up the pressure and Denver stumbled all over themselves.

Westbrook was truly awful in the series and very much so in Game 7. As soon as he came in the lead dwindled and he quickly was a -14. He shot 34.8% from the field, 21.9% from 3 and his turnovers per game exceeded his assists per game. I think he was a big factor in Denver losing Games 4/5. Had he played like this vs LAC, the Clippers would’ve made Round 2.

The matchup with Minnesota will be more even. Minnesota is well rested, not injured, doesn’t have a lot of mileage, and has challenging matchups with Randle/Ant and also has some wings to put on SGA. OKC beat 2 teams with key injuries. Vegas will favor OKC, but I think Minnesota has the match ups, athletcism, shot making ability and health to win that one.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Mon, 19 May 2025 04:32:19 +0000

I can’t believe Denver just laid down and got rolled on the road in game 7. Who does this? Lol.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Mon, 19 May 2025 03:52:39 +0000

So over at the TW blog the denizens there are calling for their guys to go after SGA very hard — they say “aim hard for his hands” and “go for his thumbs” and “make sure he’s icing those hands whenever he sits.” Of course they carefully add that they’re not advocating intentionally injuring Shai, just sending him a clear message that he won’t be permitted to waltz to the rim unimpeded. Sure. They want nothing more than to knock him out of the game. So, Clip fans, who are you pulling for?

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sun, 18 May 2025 19:48:28 +0000

…..aaaaaand AG’s playing. I’m not sure how, but uh, good for Denver I guess? That seems unwise, but hey, I’m not a doctor.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sun, 18 May 2025 19:47:31 +0000

I mean it we’re talking about lack of interest from sponsors and the public at-large, we’re already at extremely undesirable levels for the NBA – no big-market teams other than the Knicks left. If we get either an OKC-Indiana or Minnesota-Indiana Finals that basically the apocalypse for ratings for the NBA.