Comments on: Clippers-Nuggets Series Leaves Few Takeaways in First Two Games https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/ L.A. Clippers News and Analysis Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:54:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.20 By: Lucas Hann https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3634 Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:54:57 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3634 Actually I don’t think this is a panic game for Houston. Yeah, they made 22 threes, but they took 53 to get there–a good mark above their average but not as high as the Lakers’ 44%.

I thought Houston lost this game in 3 places:
– The Lakers shooting well above their average from three, especially early in the game. Will happen from time to time but not every game.
– The Lakers’ adjustment to trap Harden, which absolutely wrecked the Rockets’ offense in the first quarter. Houston adjusted relatively well to this, hence the raining open threes when they figured out how to pass out of it.
– Russell Westbrook was absolutely awful. Not just “missing shots” awful, but “doesn’t know what basketball is” awful. His decision-making, his play, his pass accuracy–all miserable. That’s the most concerning bit thus far.

]]> By: Jteng044 https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3633 Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:24:29 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3633 I just watched the first quarter after having listened to audio of the game. Honestly, the defense wasn’t as bad as I thought, as Lucas I think had written. If I had to nitpick, the defensive rotations were bad by Trez and Zu on closing out on Jokic. There was one play where I think Lou’s man and Lou ran into Zu as he was cutting into the paint and kind of screened off Zu (while Zu had sunk down) while Jokic was at the top of the key and he had a wide open 3 while Zu was trying to recover.

Another thing to nitpick about Zu’s post defense on Jokic, is that Zu needs to lower his base and spread his legs wider so as to not let Jokic push him down. There were a couple of times in the first quarter that Jokic felt Zu pressure his right as he was backing Zu down on the right block and then he would spin over his left shoulder for a floater on Zu. If Zu widens his base, and puts his chest into Jokic’s shoulders, Jokic won’t be able to pull that spin move off.

Otherwise, some of the things that happened in the first, I feel were unforced errors with turnovers and Millsap and Murray being in the right place at the right time for the ball to drop into their hands for layups.

We’ll get them back and hopefully Doc can get Kawhi probably to catch the ball and go down hill a bit. I think the Nuggets were able to form a wall on him and converge with three guys because he is so slow and methodical. If he gets the ball and goes downhill via dribble-handoffs, I think that won’t allow the defense to get set and he’ll be better at getting to his spots especially with the double/triple teams they are throwing at him.

]]> By: John Maclean https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3632 Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:23:06 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3632 The Lakers won despite Houston out dueling them 22 to 12 in made threes. Not sure where houston turns to regroup. Hopefully they got one squeaker win left in them to extend the series to 6 because depending on how game three versus the Nuggets goes we might be looking at a 6 or 7 game series ourselves. Any hope of a gentleman’s sweep Is predicated upon our showing as the Hamptons Clippers and dropping the hammer in game three. I’m pretty confident that Denver will start taking casualties the longer this goes but we don’t need to be pushed to the brink either.

]]> By: Lucas Hann https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3631 Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:02:46 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3631 Bud does a lot of things right before the game, which is why they were so dominant all season. Great systems, great gameplans. But at a certain point you need to be able to have a feel for a game and series as it’s developing and he just doesn’t seem to have it in him to be that in-the-moment decision-maker. He probably belongs as one of the best assistant coaches in the league, or the HC of a mediocre team that needs to grow into being good. But he clearly can’t cut it head coaching during a playoff run.

]]> By: lying dog-faced pony soldier https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3630 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 23:52:42 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3630 Agree. I don’t get it. Despite Budenholzer being part of the Popovich coaching tree, I’m not really impressed by him. But what do I know about NBA coaching? In reality, not that much. However, as a fan I’m allowed to have my opinions, however misguided. haha

]]> By: chogokin https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3629 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 23:11:06 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3629 It’s amazing how “playing your best players more minutes” tends to produce better results lol.

We (justifiably) rag a lot on Doc here for his rotation/minutes distribution, but man, Budenholzer – Giannis/Middleton only playing 35mpg in games 1-3 was coaching malpractice.

]]> By: lying dog-faced pony soldier https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3628 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 22:52:41 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3628 Playoff injuries happen as Clippers fans know to our sorrow. Hope he’ll be able to make a go of it tomorrow, I’d like to beat them at their best. Bucks battled after Giannis went out with the ankle sprain. They oddly seemed to be operating better without Giannis. Middleton came up huge.

]]> By: G RAP OLD SCHOOL LIKE YOUR DAD https://213hoops.com/clippers-nuggets-series-leaves-few-takeaways-in-first-two-games/#comment-3627 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 21:59:58 +0000 https://213hoops.com/?p=2229#comment-3627 Joker is questionable with sprained wrist!

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