Comments on: Game Recap: Clippers Beat Mavericks, 126-111

By: jbugs

jbugs — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 16:49:17 +0000

I’ve felt this way a lot of the season. I am not a fan of Doc playing Lou and Trez to close out a game with Kawhi/PG/Bev. While Lou and Trez increase our fire power, they also take the ball away from Kawhi and PG and hurt us somewhat on the defensive/rebounding. It would be my strong preference to play JMG and Morris over Lou and Trez to close out a game, mixing in some Zubac depending on the match up. JMG and Morris improve our defense and rebounding over Lou and Trez while also being solid on offense without needing the ball.

In the end of the day, I think there are a ton of line ups that work. That’s one of the funnest parts about this team. In a game 7 of a finals though, I would want Zu to play a lot of minutes during the first 3 quarters. He provides a certain level of stability through his rebounding, defense and help scoring. I also like the idea of reserving Trez for a 4th quarter explosion. I can’t stand when Trez plays big minutes in the first 3 quarters. I always get anxious about him getting gassed down the stretch. His contributions on defense, rebounding and offense always come from him playing with high energy. I’m only okay with him being on the floor in a 4th quarter if he can go all out. A final 2 minutes line up with Bev, PG, Leonard, JMG and a rested Trez provides a ton of defense, a ton of rebounding and allows the offense to flow through Leonard in a way it just doesn’t when Lou is on the court. The amazing defense combined with the amazing rebounding helps generate more possessions. And there is more than enough offense in that line up to score on any defense.

By: Maximizer

Maximizer — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 16:35:46 +0000

Hey guys. Just wanted to say how much I missed reading all your comments. This bubble experiment really seems like it’s gonna work. These playoffs are going to be so fun to watch. I love it when Kahwi decides it’s time to take over the game. He really is like the terminator…all business, no messing around.

By: Maximizer

Maximizer — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 16:23:12 +0000

Thanks for that.

By: TheGreatestShowman

TheGreatestShowman — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 15:14:15 +0000

Good point on the 3rd quarter lull. We’ve seen the same lulls during each game where the 2nd unit struggles to score. Trez will certainly help.

I want Zu to continue getting 22-25 mpg. Dude is beasting our there and that’s the perfect amount of minutes for him to continue going all out without burning out.

Kudos to Doc for sticking with Landry. He finally looks to be in some rhythm.

By: wwshep

wwshep — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:35:32 +0000

All true, but also remember that bad stretch late in the 3rd quarter when both PG and Kawhi were sitting. We definitely could have used Trez’s scoring there, and although Lou was in he hasn’t looked like himself at all the last 2 games. He’s looked very timid and tentative to shoot on offense for some reason.

But that said I like relying on Trez and Lou against the other team’s second unit, but definitely don’t want to see Lou closing out 4th quarters of tight games, and don’t want to see Trez playing entire 4th quarters anymore.

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 09:43:24 +0000

Zu and JMyke have been fantastic. Morris also is finding his spots and shots starting to fall. Will be interesting how they incorporate Trez when back, but these guys are definitely making the reliance on Lou/Trez bench unit far less important.

Watching Zu, definitely get the feeling he’s going to round into a starting center in the league for a long time. I know in the past he’s struggled with consistency, so let’s hope he can keep this up. It’s still amazing to think he’s still only 23 years old, at a position where I feel like guys take 5-8 years in the league to really hit their prime. Reminds me of how the Lakers traded away Marc Gasol, but instead of getting Pau back, they would’ve gotten like Stromile Swift.

By: Lucas Hann

Lucas Hann — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:59:34 +0000

I think it’s a good point–the Clippers’ attack in the WCF and Finals will certainly feature less minutes, touches, and shots for Lou and Trez than the regular season, when Kawhi and PG both missed plenty of games and played lower nightly minutes. Realistically, how many minutes/shots are there for guys like Lou and Trez in close games where Kawhi and PG both play 40+ minutes (and are getting lots of shots during that time)?

Lou and Trez still have important roles on the team, don’t get me wrong, but it’s about making an impact in a short window rather than being a focal point for 30 minutes. The guys who play best around PG/Kawhi are going to be better individual defenders, like Pat Bev, Morris, JaMychal, and Zu. Those are clearly our top 8 guys, imo (god, how relieving to feel comfortable about Green and Zubac in that conversation).

By: Lucas Hann

Lucas Hann — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:56:40 +0000

God, he was so good tonight. 2 of his best games ever back-to-back, I think

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:07:32 +0000

The serendipitous void of Lou, Trez and Bev being out may have accelerated the transformation of this team’s identity. It’s only a few games but it feels like this is now 100% Kawhi and PG’s team and they may also have brought Zu along with them. PG spoke about finding something tonight and staying with it, and when I watched it a second time it was clear that they were working a three man attack like I’m not sure I’ve seen before with Kawhi and PG setting up on the wings and them stunting the defense with Zu rolling and all attacking. It appeared nearly unstoppable. Perhaps the Mavs mediocre D made this look better than it actually was but it was noteworthy. Either way it was great to see the superstars taking the reigns.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:02:38 +0000

*deep breath

ZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!