Comments on: 213 Hoops Roundtable: Clippers vs Suns Square Off

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 18:30:12 +0000

I don’t think Booker has that range to take the step backs like Donovan and Luka were doing to the Clips. But that being said, CamPayne, Bridges, Crowder, Saric definitely have the opportunity to knock down open shots, so while the ridiculous shots might be less frequent than we’ve seen, I definitely could see the results being about the same.

Will be more about playing fundamental defense, than just praying Donovan and Luka start missing.

By: TheGreatestShowman

TheGreatestShowman — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 17:45:16 +0000

I’m still concerned. It was outlier shooting across the board so who’s to say Jae Crowder or Cam Payne doesn’t get hot?

Suns were 7th in 3pt%, FYI. Jazz were 4th and the Mavs 18th.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 17:22:44 +0000

Not having to deal with hot 3 pt shooting Luka, Hatdaway, Mitchell, Bogie and Clarkson will be kind of a breaher. Suns are no slouch in that dept. but I just don’t have the same level of fear. Rest is definitely a factor and the league should be ashamed of themselves for this quick turnaround (but I’m sure the Suns are applauding). Have to remember that the compromised Lakes were up 2-1 showing some Suns vulnerability. I think the Clips get ’em in 5.
As to Kawhi—the encouragement has to be from the announcement that he’s out the first 2 games. Much better news than “out for the series” or “out for the POs.”

By: Luna Rider

Luna Rider — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 14:52:03 +0000

I agree, Booker is not as good a 3 point shooter as either Luka or Mitchell, as a team they are not as good a 3 ball shooting team as either Jazz or Mavs, and that’s what hurt us the most. Clips interior defense is good, Ayton only had 5 points in last game against us. Reggie much better than reg season, Mann hugely better, even PG more consistent and smarter. Clips in 6.

By: lobc1t1

lobc1t1 — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 12:30:43 +0000

Remember, the Suns have been using the bubble performance to clown PG. This may be a personal revenge series for him.

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 10:12:06 +0000

Will definitely be an interesting series, which to be honest is really going to depend on the availability of CP and Kawhi. But just looking at the Suns, I actually see them very similar to the Jazz in many ways which makes be at least hopeful the Clips can put up a strong fight.

If anything they’re probably less talented shooting team although they’ve picked it up a bit in the playoff. Booker is going to be a similar cover to Mitchell, but obviously going to be healthy, which might be key. Obviously not the same player, as Booker is probably more of a all around scorer and will take a lot more shots in the midrange, whereas Mitchell was either at the rim or from 3.

I think Ayton will be a key in this series. Will he force the Clips to stay big, in a way that Boban/Porzingis and Gobert couldn’t? If anything he’s a more gifted offensive player than Gobert was, and I’d say will bring similar defensive intensity. I think the Clips have to try and stay small, and put the onus on a young player in Ayton to try and adjust. If that is their biggest advantage, will Ayton be comfortable in a role where they try and force feed it to him? Can he punish the Clippers on offense more than Boban?

Suns really don’t have a true center behind Ayton, but their depth at the wings might be better than the Jazz with Crowder, Bridges, Cam Johnson, Craig, and their “big” in Saric, if they do decide to try and match the Clippers small ball. That’s where the Jazz just didn’t have the personnel try and match the Clippers.

The Suns have also thrived this playoffs on their defense, a lot of that stemming from Ayton in the middle. Against the horrible shooting Lakers, and the Jokic centered Nuggets, having that big man in the middle was pivotal in stopping those teams. Similar to the Jazz, will be interesting how they defend the much more perimeter based Clippers offense. I do think the Suns have better individual defenders in Crowder and Bridges, which can match up with the Clippers athleticism in a way Jingles and Bogdanovic struggled.

I’m going to assume CP will miss 2-3 games, and Kawhi will miss the series. With that, Clips in 6.

I’m also predicting a Morris Brother revenge series with Markieff in the crowd at every game.

By: CrossRoads

CrossRoads — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 08:48:20 +0000

Ty Lue – He’s the coaching mismatch thus far :

Successfully pushed (non highly paid players) Jackson, Batum, Mann to deliver the goods and getting the whole team to buy in to his system.

Won against very good coaches in Rick Carlisle, Quin Snyder and who can forget Steve Kerr (being 1-3 down in the Finals).

His savviness under very heavy pressure continues to be exemplary.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 08:00:08 +0000

Dude, a Doc vs Bud series would be painful to watch, but I agree that the Nets getting healthy would’ve posed the biggest threat long-term.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 07:51:11 +0000

I fear that CP will run rings around Zu but have faith that inventive Lue and coaching staff will come up with something to counter that eventuality. Loved seeing the supposedly mighty Nets get bounced. Clips could have taken them. That was a great game.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 07:46:28 +0000

This is a favorite.