Comments on: Clippers vs. Pistons Recap: L.A. Pulls Away Late In Kawhi’s Return

By: chogokin

chogokin — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 12:34:37 +0000

Brook Lopez, Gasol, Frye, and Baynes could all shoot, yes, but they mostly hung around the 3-pt line and in the corners to do catch and shoots – they generally didn’t really run plays to get them free for midrange jumpers or anything like that. But yes, you’re right in that opponents couldn’t just leave them open outside the paint like they do w/ Zu, but again I don’t think this is a case of “you can’t win if your C can’t shoot” and instead is more “you need to have a specific game plan and skill set to put around this guy.” Like Brook Lopez was and is still so much worse at closing out and keeping w/ dudes around the perimeter than Zu, and Frye was a defensive sieve everywhere, so it’s not like their teams didn’t have to adjust to help cover up for their weaknesses.

If you wanna advocate for an upgrade over Zu then sure, that makes sense – I could get behind that depending on who you’re talking about – but I just disagree w/ “Zu not being able to shoot means he inherently isn’t good enough to be the starting C on a championship team” take.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 02:42:26 +0000

Most of those centers you mention can face the basket and actually have a shooting touch. When you can leave the center wide open at the free throw line knowing for sure he’s going to pass, that creates a big advantage for the defending team. Agree?

By: CrossRoads

CrossRoads — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 02:30:31 +0000

Liked very much Moses’ movement on the court both ways and his synergy with JW. On D, slashers have been bothered with his length and agilities. On O, he runs the floor hard creating mismatches with his speed for such a body type. The momentum swung again (2nd one) when he went in. A very welcome positive for the team, which is needed. Covington with DNP – CD is sad. Ever since the KD / Nets game, PG drifted from his Western conference player of week honors. Hoping his health is ok.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 23:33:13 +0000

[Zu]’s not a championship caliber starting nba center

Kevon Looney, Brook Lopez, Javale McGee, Marc Gasol, Channing Frye, Andrew Bogut, Aron Baynes. These are the starting Cs for the championship-winning teams going back to 2014. Some of them are better than Zu (e.g. Gasol’s last year in Toronto), some of them are different skills-wise (e.g. Brook Lopez), but none of them are out of Zu’s league a la Embiid or Jokic. You don’t need like an All-Star/All-NBA C to win a ring. Zu is plenty good enough to help us win it all if Kawhi and PG13 are playing at the level we expect them to play. And if they aren’t/can’t? Well then we’re essentially screwed regardless of who we trot out at C.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 22:44:01 +0000

My focus on the game was Zu. 18 rebounds, superb. But he’s got a fatal flaw that limits him and the team–i.e. he has no face the basket shot — like, at all. And I don’t think he ever will since he’s had years to develop that aspect and it’s just not there. He’s also limited in not being able to defend bigs who can shoot as his contests are always a step late. Has anybody here ever seen him block an outside shot? Didn’t think so. Don’t get me wrong — he’s got value but he’s not a championship caliber starting nba center. He’s a back up being used as a starter. I’d welcome an upgrade as long as the cost is not too steep.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 22:31:26 +0000

Yeah, l for sure buy that theory. It’ll prove out if he continues to play. Sitting out again, like the last time, would be a huge bummer. And I’ll say this: he looked like he was into it and even like he missed it.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 20:30:14 +0000

Great analysis as always.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 12:52:42 +0000

Kawhi looked very good. He’s a bit limited offensively but was able to make his presence felt on the boards, on defense and moving the ball. We struggled in the first half with dud offense with Reggie keeping the team afloat. The 2nd half was much better but the problems with Zu’s inability to put away close in shots at a high rate, PG’s turnovers, and Norm Powell being unable to be a higher percentage shooting 3rd scorer remain. You just can’t beat the good teams with 15 point quarters. Although Norm Powell has put up better numbers of late, he’s still not able to take one side of the floor, attack the basket and finish. He’s getting better help from the refs to get to the FT line, but when left open he’s not delivering. Luke in those situations is more productive.

We’re also still playing Morris-Zu-PG too many minutes. They were each at around 35 min. All 3 need to be in the 27-30 min range.

I do think playing Coffey more in line ups with Mann and Norm would fix a lot of these issues. The 2nd unit needs an identity.

Wall had a bad game statistically, but for a few minutes at the end of Q3 a when he was on the court with Moses Brown and the Clips took the lead, his game finally clicked with the team’s game. He got Brown, Mann and Norm good touches. We scored and took the lead. Then he started ‘Wall hogging’ the ball at the beginning of Q4 and got a quick hook from Ty Lue as we fell behind by 3.

It was nice to see Kawhi back and to get the win. The key to this season is really managing Paul George’s error rate, and getting more production out of the 2nd unit. I don’t think the Clips can be stopped if George is playing efficiently.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:35:09 +0000

This excellent recap says it all. Kawhi, Lord of the House of Moreno Valley, King of the West, first of his name, rightful heir to the throne, is back. The Reggie Jackson Experience continues to fascinate.

By: lying dog-faced pony soldier

lying dog-faced pony soldier — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:07:52 +0000

He’s definitely rusty but still looked fantastic, including on defense. Happy days.