Comments on: Clippers 2022 Season Exit Interview: Kawhi Leonard

By: JCplusULTRA

JCplusULTRA — Wed, 18 May 2022 09:41:27 +0000

A ball movement offense doesn’t mean passing the ball around. Players have to always be in motion creating screens and space. Think triangle, Spurs, and Warriors. Having a point guard to hail Mary every half court set doesn’t fix anything when that player sits or goes down with injury.

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Tue, 17 May 2022 18:49:04 +0000

yea, which is where I think a point guard would help. If anything, just need someone that will attack the basket. Able to beat the 1st line of defenders and make the other defenders rotate. This is where Bled was helpful for the Clippers last season, and I think they could use someone in a similar role. Ball movement is great, but unless there is an action that gets the defense in rotation, you can pass the ball all you want and not generate an open shot. This was always my problem with the PatBev led Clippers where they would pass the ball around the perimeter, but it was far too easy on the defense and I felt made them rely on the individual greatness of Kawhi/PG.

Maybe Norm is that guy, but we saw him for 7 games so still not quite sure. He definitely attacks more than most guys on the team, but seems like usually looking for contact, not sure the playmaking portion is there (although he showed flashes of it at least in the first 3 games he played before the foot injury).

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Tue, 17 May 2022 18:37:04 +0000

Rondo is in the news, not in a good way.

By: JCplusULTRA

JCplusULTRA — Tue, 17 May 2022 17:32:05 +0000

I don’t see what small ball has to do with needing a point guard. We have multiple players that can run pick and roll or push the ball up on a fast break. The issue is the half court offense totally dying with a ball handler over dribbling while the other 3 or 4 stand still.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Tue, 17 May 2022 08:23:04 +0000

Very impressed by Kidd’s coaching of the Mavericks. I also had my doubts about his hiring but it’s worked.

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Tue, 17 May 2022 08:00:52 +0000

Will be interesting how much better the Clips can be than the last time they met the Mavs (and the Suns and the rest of the west). I mean the Mavs added Bullock, Dinwiddie, and Bertans, but I’d say roster wise, with the additions of Norm and RoCo, the Clip should have easily match or exceeded improvement in the roster of any other contender in the West since the 2021 playoffs. I really can’t wait to see the PG, Kawhi, Norm, and RoCo all healthy in a game together.

As far as the Mavs are concerned, this new defense implemented by J.Kidd is really a revelation that’s been the biggest difference from the Rick Carlisle lead Mavs. I’ll admit I was down on the Kidd hire by the Mavs, felt like a Lakers move. Hire the guy that is familiar with the franchise, but not a guy that had a track record of being a good coach. But Kidd and their improvements on defense is really scary. Kidd might’ve picked up some defensive identity after spending the year with Vogel.

Still I feel like the Clips and Ty Lue have a pretty good handle on their team, even this season, although I don’t recall how many of the games came after the KP trade (I actually don’t think we saw Dinwiddie/Bertans on the Mavs). Still that last game, getting the win without Kawhi, PG, or Norm was a great win. Mann vs. Doncic is still one of the funnier “rivalries”.

By: dhpat

dhpat — Tue, 17 May 2022 07:57:35 +0000

Agreed on ball movement offense, but we need another point guard. The whole league is going small ball.

By: dhpat

dhpat — Tue, 17 May 2022 07:56:07 +0000

If Luka follows a proper diet and loses 20 lbs, he will be unstoppable.

By: JCplusULTRA

JCplusULTRA — Tue, 17 May 2022 04:40:03 +0000

KL and PG have gone for 40+, but not 50. However, I don’t think another scorer would fix the issue. That would just lead to more iso.

Lue needs to setup a ball movement offense. Along with that, an upgrade at the 5 would be huge. The Clippers need a more mobile big that can guard the perimeter and can pass well in a motion offense.

A point guard upgrade is not really needed if we didn’t have an offense so heavily dependent on a primary ball handler creating plays.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Tue, 17 May 2022 02:19:14 +0000

“Kyrie” (groan)

In the two November games vs. Dallas, PG scored 29 and 26, then he missed both February games. With Kawhi and PG back and the additions of Powell and RoCo, presumably we should already be a lot better? Another talent upgrade or two would be welcome of course. Luka is a monster and will only get better (shudder).