Comments on: Clippers vs Jazz Preview: A Big Game for the Standings

By: Clipperlurker

Clipperlurker — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 13:06:03 +0000

Yes we won 6 games in a row…but you can’t act like you aren’t at least a little bit unsure of the end result. The Celtics are a good road team and we are 12-21 despite the win streak.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 12:27:02 +0000

Without Zu, Cs would have to be favored. They have more players who average double digit scoring. With Zu, it’s a more even fight where the home crowd boosting role players + Kawhi may give LAC an edge. LAC is going to have to use a lot of screens on Brown to reduce the number of hits Kawhi takes in the game, and they’ll have to do a much better job than they have for most of this season guarding the 3 pt line.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 10:37:28 +0000

Yanic should take most of the mins at the backup center spot. He’s better than Lopez.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 10:29:36 +0000

The line vs Celtics finally flipped to us by 1.5. Not seismic but at least some respect. LFG!

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 10:03:03 +0000

Clippers struggled most of the game to beat a Utah team that featured a lot of summer league level players. While one can take a pessimistic view of the win, I do think we got some clarity about this season. Kawhi’s dominant performance in Q4 where he put up pull up dribble 3 after 3 (16 3PAs!) underscored how his game has fundamentally transformed. He’s now fully embraced a different style of play to preserve and extend his prime. That makes him exceedingly difficult to guard.

I think we can put to bed this notion that Brook Lopez is in any way a better fit than Zu. Lopez is pretty much washed. Most of his made 3s are over 3 games. YKN has more offensive rebounds than Lopez has had the entire season. YKN should get more of the minutes as the backup center role when Zu comes back. Both he and Sanders (and I’d also add Miller to the list) make the Clippers more versatile.

I think we can also put to bed this notion that Kris Dunn, although improved, is a strong enough offensive player at the 2 guard to where he’s not a liability on that side of the court. LAC needs a 2 guard by committee in order to take advantage of what he does best while minimizing the negative impact of his limitations.

LAC is 12-21 at the moment. For LAC to do anything meaningful this season, they’re going to have to get to .500 by Game 60, imho. That would mean a record of 18-9 over the next 27 games. That is possible given how well Kawhi is playing, but it also means little margin for error. If they were to get to .500 by Game 60, the one could see them go on a run over their last 22 games to get a top 6 seed.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 09:41:02 +0000

I can understand the Kai comparison – hyper athletic, but raw. Problem is YKN is bigger than Kai was, and it looks like he’s smoother/more skilled too (though still raw overall). I don’t get the Moses Brown comparison at all though. YKN isn’t as big as Moses and isn’t limited to being a slow-footed C glued to the paint.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 09:36:38 +0000

Man I really hope Zu isn’t rushing back too early because he thinks his spot in the rotation is in jeopardy. He’s one of the few guys on this team who could outlast Kawhi and Harden. Also gonna suck seeing YKN lose minutes again – young fella needs the experience of playing and learning from his mistakes.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 04:12:42 +0000

I’m seriously trying to understand how the Celtic are favored over us by 1.5—especially with Zu coming back.I don’t gamble but this seems like a good one to get on if you do. Maybe the bookies knows something we don’t, which is often the case.

By: Thretch

Thretch — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 03:35:54 +0000

Wait … they “needed every single point form Kawhi” … and won by 17 points. That doesn’t make any sense.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:03:41 +0000

Also, "fool's gold"? Who's enough of a fool to think this Clippers team is a Finals contender while we're still 9 games under .500? Which, by the way, happens to be the exact same record as another team that plays in Salt Lake City Insulting the Clips by calling them a G-league team despite being tied with them is peak "it hurt itself in its confusion" behavior.