Comments on: Clippers choke away 20-point lead in loss to Sixers

By: Lucas Hann

Lucas Hann — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 17:03:56 +0000

A lot of stuff happens to get Embiid his looks.

Without doing a breakdown, I can think of several very easy finishes that he got when we were playing small vs him because they worked the high post to create an advantageous angle against our fronting scheme. That’s not to say that he didn’t score vs Zu, just that he didn’t score all 44 vs Zu and that it felt like his easiest looks (layups vs jumpers) came w/ Zu out of the game.

But it’s also interesting how much Philly’s defense got Zu moving in help in order to create pockets of space for Embiid. I would suggest that almost never was Zu simply guarding Embiid 1-on-1 in a clear-out, and that him choosing in that scenario to step back and let Embiid shoot 12-foot jumpers wasn’t a factor in this game. Rather, it was our perimeter defenders’ inability to contain Harden that led to Zu constantly serving in his normal role as help rim protector and then having to recover to Embiid.

Think about how many Clippers are advantaged by receiving the ball with a half-step advantage vs a closeout on a drive-and-kick vs having to break down a set defender 1-on-1. Embiid operated with that half-step advantage all night. Could Zu have closed out a bit harder to force drives on some of the attempts? Yes, but with no rim protection behind him that means getting beaten for dunks, so the conservative choice of the half-contest on a mid-range jumper is probably the best you can do there.

The more agile option–Batum–got beaten for layups over the top when fronting, and took away our rim protection to deter Harden’s drives (not saying Nico played badly, just that he wasn’t a panacea). More agile options around the league–like a Bam Adebayo or Anthony Davis–would have been better at helping on Harden’s drives and recovering to close out effectively on Embiid’s jumper without being beaten off the dribble by him, but those guys tend to suffer vs his strength in one-on-one isolation post touches. Tough nut to crack, but I think the best thing that we could have done doesn’t have much to do with the bigs but with the perimeter guys, first of all better ball containment but secondly more weak-side activity. If Zu has to stop Harden’s drive and Embiid is camped out at the FT line waiting for a pass, where’s one of the weak-side help defenders?

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 00:28:52 +0000

Especially with Amir hitting shots recently. Gotta at least see if he’s still feelin it.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 00:28:00 +0000

But those were super easy, relatively close range shots, basically uncontested. You gotta at least try to make him uncomfortable, close out, anticipate; i.e. play some real D
If he beats you, someone needs to cover and, again, make him pass the effing ball. Got another chance soon. Learn something from this one at least.

By: Greek_Clippers_Fan

Greek_Clippers_Fan — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 20:55:59 +0000

It’s ok, we could have won, lost by a few details.

I propose that we should try these lineups as soon as possible:

Jackson-Kennard-PG-Kawhi-Zu (works defensively with PG or Kawhi at the 4)
Kennard-PG-Kawhi-Batum-Zu
Jackson-PG-Kawhi-Batum-Zu

I anticipate that all three will be highly effective.

Crazy spacing for Kawhi and PG, with Reggie, Luke and Batum sniping and Zu achoring the defense.

You heard it here first folks!

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 18:31:31 +0000

OK but….not a natural pg — he’ll throw the ball away once in awhile when he’s given the keys. But I’m for trying him out vs. some of the lesser tanking teams and see if he can grow there.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 13:48:11 +0000

After dwelling on it for a few days and a couple holiday libations I think I might have come up with something. We should strongly consider giving the keys to Terence at “point guard.” I realize that the easy go-to thinking is that Reggie compliments PG and Kawhi well but clearly he’s slipping and Wall is an aging dinosaur. Think of Terence as a younger, bigger version of Pat who merely needs to bring the ball up court, play defense and hit open threes. With PG and Kawhi we don’t need CP3 nor is there anyone available to fill that roll (Mike Conley is old and a gimp at this point). The switch-ability under this scenario is downright terrifying, not to mention the rebounding. I just can’t see any real downside to trying this and if it works it would be devastating. Jerry et al drafted Terence with the idea he could be a tall and rangy point guard and he’s proven he can handle some of these duties in a pinch. Let’s try this.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 09:33:17 +0000

During those minutes at the end I was thinking the same.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 05:03:27 +0000

My Christmas wish list for the Clippers:

Good health for everyone.
T-Mann getting 20 min - 24 min/game
Reggie being the table setter for Luke Kennard or Norm Powell
A dose of Coffey to keep opponents off their favorite spots at the 3 pt line.
PG driving more to the basket, getting 8-10 FTAs per game and shooting more mid range while no more than 5 3s per game (7 if he's feelin' it).

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 22:18:23 +0000

Like to think the team will take out their frustrations on the Pistons after 2 days rest. Am I crazy for missing Wall last game? Maybe I am. Happy Holidays and good health to all.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 17:34:20 +0000

Embiid was on. No one, not even a “mobile, lithe player,” could have stopped him last night. The Clippers’ coaching staff surely game-planned for him but whatever it was didn’t work. It was a team failure, not all on Zu.