Comments on: Clippers vs Sixers Preview: Revenge Games Galore

By: zhiv

zhiv — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 17:11:15 +0000

It’s still way too early to worry about specific young teams like that. This wasn’t much of a win to get excited about because PHI is in such disarray (which is pretty awesome) and the 5 game streak is great, but the game tonight is more of a real test–can the Clips just play hard against an elite team, can they battle and stay in the game, and then how do they respond against WAS and especially MIN if they get beat. The Clips have seemingly forged a solid identity as they played a tough schedule over 18 games, but the good wins in that sequence (GSW, DEN, ORL) are just the first taste. The West is nuts, and upcoming games agains MIN and then DAL and another DEN game will be a big test. It’s pretty weird how the Clips don’t play LAL until Jan 19, looking at the schedule.

The games against HOU were Dunn’s first games in the starting lineup and the Clips were still figuring things out, plus they were both Houston home games. OKC and HOU both bottled up and attacked Harden–we can expect BOS to try something like the same thing–but the Clips have figured out some counters to that now. Getting Bamba going will be important against top teams, so that there’s not a huge rebounding drop off with Zu out, and Nico seems to be working his magic and hitting some shots. But let’s take them one at a time–this should be an interesting game tonight.

By: zhiv

zhiv — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:52:51 +0000

Yeah, it’s funny how the scale is skewed now for KPJ. Our expectations are really low. There are some things that he seems to do well, hitting short shots with good touch in the paint (harder than it looks) and finishing at the rim in general, along with putting pressure on the defense. If it’s not streetball, it’s pretty close. If he could just make the easy pass and keep things moving it would be a big improvement, but he has taken at least a couple ticks up in terms of finding guys on occasion. It looks like he’s going to get the minutes and a super long leash, and I guess we have to hope that he keeps making modest improvements.

It’s still really hard to watch him play. He looks better against weaker, non-defense oriented teams like SAC (2nd half) and PHI, and my concern is that a team like BOS (and OKC) is going to destroy him and use his minutes to gain the advantage, if they don’t have it already.

By: Dave Rosa

Dave Rosa — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:00:24 +0000

Once again I’ll say that I like this team. Kudos to the FO for the vision.

The 1st step was letting George walk. That freed up Norman, Amir, and Zu. George will end up being an albatross around Philly’s neck.

KPJ is rounding into form. This Clipper team is probably the best team he has ever played on. He is on a learning curve. I thought he played well again.

Bones looks lost and “checked out”.. He needs a change of scenery.

JMiller is taking TMann’s minutes.

I am looking forward to tonight’s game with the Celts.

By: Oodypkt

Oodypkt — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:53:42 +0000

We work hard on defense. Dunn, DJJ and of course Batum are fantastic acquisition.
Every time I saw our highlight, even the short one. Dunn always stood out as he turn defense into offense with his incredible play.
Miller get more playing time (while Norm is out) and Brown get his shots this game. We also have Flowers and Christie waiting for their turn.
We might not have top end talent like OKC, HOU or SAS. But the way we build the roster this season, I believe we are in the right path and we will have a chance if we keep staying ready.
Let’s see how it goes.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:39:33 +0000

I don’t wanna sound like a downer after such a great win, but I really just think we’re screwed if we run up against either of OKC or Houston. Hell, most of the teams in the league don’t want to play those teams – I’d pick OKC over Denver and Golden State this year, and it wouldn’t surprised me if Houston at least took both of them to 7 games. OKC and Houston are just horrific matchups for us, and given our lack of tradeable assets, I don’t think we can do anything to change that mid-season.

As long as the team plays hard and isn’t making too many lazy, braindead decisions (we still have a lot, but they’re less infuriating now that George isn’t sitting around podcasting about them), I’ll be happy. At this point any noise we make if we even make the playoffs would just be an extra bonus for me.

By: dhpat

dhpat — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:12:09 +0000

I’m totally stoked at our level of defense first play. It is a lot of fun, but we should also remember that Houston kicked our asses 2x last week, and made us look old and slow.

I do believe that we need to adjust to take down these younger teams with long wings (HOU and OKC). Work in progress, but great steps so far. Keep improving.

We have to find adjustments with the guys that we have (in uniform).

By: chogokin

chogokin — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:54:19 +0000

Did you actually watch the game in real-time, or just look at the box score? Because I agree the final box score doesn’t look great for him.

Regardless though, my standard for “good” for KPJ is literally “go out there and keep us afloat so we can buy Harden some rest time.” He played pretty good defense, wasn’t monopolizing the ball, and didn’t have too many instances of trying to play And1 streetball – today’s stint from him was a success for me.

By: Douglas Coull

Douglas Coull — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:40:12 +0000

Looking good? He was -8 in a huge blowout, shot 5 of 11, 0 of 2 from 3, 1 of 2 ft’s, and had 4 to’s in 24 minutes. That’s not good. He doesn’t belong on the court, he’s never been even a mediocre shooter his entire career and he’s probably last in the league right now in three-point percentage at a miserable 19.5%. Just cuz he makes a few layups doesn’t mean he’s playing good.

By: sjake

sjake — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:35:05 +0000

Really fun game to watch. Team played great. Just wish Bones would play a little better when he gets the chance. He must know these are auditions for other teams and he’s playing to stay in the league. Rooting for the guy.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:25:40 +0000

I doubt we’ll ever get the full picture/details of the George extension negotiations, but given how suddenly his play fell off basically starting in February of last year, it wouldn’t surprise me if the George negotiations went off the rails around then. I don’t watch his podcast, but I sorta recall him mentioning that at some point the negotiations were actually weighing on him a bit (which means they were weighing on him A LOT). The random shots of him and Embiid sulking on the Sixers bench as we demolished then is gonna provide enough warmth to keep me comfy throughout the winter lol.

Dunn and DJJ combined w/ Norm picking up the slack was 1000% the right move to make long-term, and as we’ve already seen has been the right move even in the short-term. Harden, even an old Harden, surrounded by good defenders still has a very high floor – hopefully Kawhi can help raise the ceiling when he gets back.