Comments on: Clippers vs. Cavaliers Game Preview

By: Lucas Hann

Lucas Hann — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 18:21:36 +0000

Lots of guys played badly and lots of guys made lots of mistakes over the course of the game. Those two stick out because they were back-to-back in the final minute of the third to break a deadlocked game into a small Cleveland cushion that we never recovered from.

By: WhyNotTyler

WhyNotTyler — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 06:26:02 +0000

Sorry to stand up for my guy: that ‘key turnover’ of Russ came on a good play to break down the defense, he overthrew it a bit, happens. No more of a mistake than Theis’ transition 3 when a) he gave up a possible 2-for-1 and b) there were better shots available in transition.

Agreed on the one bad shot Russ took among 3 guys. He made his other shots and carried scoring load, deferred to Norm to make some plays (tried again on the turnover), got fouled without a call and couldn’t do anything about Theis’ turnover or Coffey missing the corner 3.

I agree that he had two lapses there. I disagree that he didn’t play like a backup point guard is supposed to or that the Cleveland run is entirely on him.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 06:04:13 +0000

Too bad this idiot got himself blackballed because he would fit the stretch big need fairly well and wouldn’t cost anything.

https://youtu.be/GnTXGh1fRUU?si=KhWSa8n22VPluozX

By: WhyNotTyler

WhyNotTyler — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:45:12 +0000

Indeed, it’s been a recurring theme. Both on drives and pump fakes

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:37:01 +0000

Btw, I didn’t see much creativity out of Doc. Not much in the way of down screens, double actions, back door plays. Just a lot of 4 out 1 in with a post up against one of the biggest/skilled front lines in the game with some kick outs to stationary shooters. Yes, he needs time, but we’ve seen a lot of Doc to know what to expect and not expect.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:32:13 +0000

Denver wins. Clips back to #4. Solid game from Denver. Give Gordon credit for two key defensive stops vs Giannis and Dame.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:29:00 +0000

While I think this loss can be explained by below par performance from PG/Harden which one can chalk up to fatigue after playing their 3rd game in 4 nights across 3 different cities and PG nursing a groin issue, this is the 3rd loss against a team with size/length (LAL, Minn, Cleveland) which expose an issue that Lue and the FO should try to address.

Length tends to make Harden/Westbrook tunnel visioned. They dribble into length instead of moving the ball from side to side and back. Solution: Mann playing more minutes at the point. Understands how to get the ball from side to side and is an excellent finisher at the rim.
Backup centers haven't been able to hold their own on the glass or protect the rim against dribble penetration. Too many second shot opportunities. Solution: play Coffey and Mann on the court for the extra athletic play to chase down loose balls and long rebounds to help either Plumlee/Theis. Also need a hot 3 pt shooter if we're going to face long teams to stretch the defense. Russ playing the #3 or #4 in such lineups can also work even if undersized due to his energy. I don't believe Mann/Coffey shared the floor much, if at all, tonight. That was a mistake by Lue, imho.
FO should be taking a look at either resurrecting PJ Tucker to fill that situational backup 4 role or make a trade or buyout pickup of someone who is credibly sized for the position. I don't know if that player is Obi Toppin, PJ Washington or sticking with PJ Tucker (or a flip of Bones for Rui Hachimura?), but I'd like for Lue to have something to go to off the bench that at least looks properly sized instead of having to go small or tinker with some weird lineup.

My guess is that Lue really likes the rotation and doesn't want to do anything that would mess with minutes and rhythm. /I think when Zu gets back he's likely to play Theis as the backup #4 for some minutes. He likes Theis.

By: WhyNotTyler

WhyNotTyler — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:20:43 +0000

Just finished. I’m glad this wasn’t a 2-point loss because I’d be irate. Imo a combination of officiating, shooting (Cavs continued to make lower-percentage 3s at a higher clip) and momentum-swinging errors (terrible Harden foul, bad, costly and untimely turnovers). Vs a good team, onto the next, we’re good

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:13:46 +0000

A little better game from PG and fewer errors from Harden and the Clips win the game. The refs did tilt the balance to the Cavs. Two early fouls on Kawhi set the tone for how we could play defensively. No corresponding calls at the other end. The illegal defense call on Harden in crunch time when we were down 2 possessions was complete bs as Mitchell was camped in the paint most of the night.

By: WhyNotTyler

WhyNotTyler — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 03:58:22 +0000

3rd quarter: highly entertaining but bad final minute and the uneven whistle got more egregious: several ticky-tack fouls for the Cavs. For us: tons of contact tolerated against Kawhi. At the same time he gets tripped, no call, 3 pointer Cavs. Gets whistled for a laughable offensive foul. Allen fouls Theis, gets free throws. Strus fouls Theis after the rebound, nothing. Defender all over Russ’ shoulder – nothing, transition opportunity Cavs. Refs cost us 4 or 5 points in the 2nd, easily 10 in the 3rd.

That being said, I’m on court vision: Cavs make shots with 27, 31, 32 and 36% probability (all 3s). We made one such shot (Kawhi in the corner). Shooting is a difference-maker as well, rebounding and 2nd chance points, too. We aren’t playing that poorly but all those points add up