Game #74: OKC @ Clippers Thursday 3/23 7:30PM NBA-TV

[The High Cyde]

I don’t understand why we can’t just give all of Morris’ minutes to Covington. He scored more in 5 mins of garbage time than Morris did all game, he’s clearly the better player.

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

[MartinToVaught]

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes

Morris can barely do better than that in 30 minutes.

[esqtvd]

I don’t understand why we can’t just give all of Morris’ minutes to Covington. He scored more in 5 mins of garbage time than Morris did all game, he’s clearly the better player.

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I mean I get it but it's hard to get in any kind of rhythm when you are constantly dnp'd. Not saying he is the Clipper's savior but if he had more consistent time I think he would atleast be a little better.

Well it's the backup QB argument. Yeah ok, he sucks but the answer is to play him more, not less.

Ty is trying to sneak him in but he's not giving Ty enough to invest more. And with Westbrook actually doing well, I wouldn't want to mess with the starting lineup. There is ZERO margin for error right now, only 2 losses above 12th place!

I think Ty deserves a ton of credit for keeping Mann's minutes up and re-creating a rotation almost from scratch with the addition of Russ, EJ and Plumlee. And now no PG?? So many moving parts already!

[Roscoe Sheed]

I don’t understand why we can’t just give all of Morris’ minutes to Covington. He scored more in 5 mins of garbage time than Morris did all game, he’s clearly the better player.

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

I agree- it doesn't even have to be Covington playing more. They could try giving Batum more minutes or even run 3 wings out there with guys like Boston or Coffey. Unless they are playing some bruising power forward, it shouldn't matter as Morris doesn't rebound and can only defend slower guys at this point

[esqtvd]

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

I agree- it doesn't even have to be Covington playing more. They could try giving Batum more minutes or even run 3 wings out there with guys like Boston or Coffey. Unless they are playing some bruising power forward, it shouldn't matter as Morris doesn't rebound and can only defend slower guys at this point

This is not the Nico we came to love and depend on. Batum gets as many minutes as he can handle. He's 34 now and is shooting 35% since playing 37 minutes on March 3.

Read on Twitter

[NickP]

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

I agree- it doesn't even have to be Covington playing more. They could try giving Batum more minutes or even run 3 wings out there with guys like Boston or Coffey. Unless they are playing some bruising power forward, it shouldn't matter as Morris doesn't rebound and can only defend slower guys at this point

If by slower guys, you mean traffic cones, then yes he can barely defend those.

[The High Cyde]

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

I agree- it doesn't even have to be Covington playing more. They could try giving Batum more minutes or even run 3 wings out there with guys like Boston or Coffey. Unless they are playing some bruising power forward, it shouldn't matter as Morris doesn't rebound and can only defend slower guys at this point

If by slower guys, you mean traffic cones, then yes he can barely defend those.

Lol I literally sat there and tried to think of slower players getting starter mins…maybe SloMo? But ‘Mo got that craftiness and guile to just think ahead of him regardless haha

[madmaxmedia]

TBH I think it's pick your poison with all of these guys. I am hoping for a rested and ready Nico for the playoffs, he the best player of the group- when not gassed. Morris is old and slow but bigger and a much better offensive player than RoCo. RoCo is a much better defender but really is lacking at the other end besides catch-and-shoot 3 ball. I do think they need to platoon which basically means more RoCo, but I'd rather see each for their freshest 15 MPG per game. The 2nd 15 minutes in a game is generally going to be more dubious for any of them IMO.

Last year RoCo shot 45% from 3 for us in 23 games but has always been a mid to high 30's guy over his long career (36%). Actually Marcus went on a heater from 3 one year for us as well in 2020/21 (47%!!), which I guess (?) Ty is hoping to get again. But Morris is a high 30's guy as well for his career (37.6%) So they are close, although Marcus has a significantly faster release.

I am retroactively fine with whoever shoots better from 3, that is the guy that should probably play more.

[esqtvd]

TBH I think it's pick your poison with all of these guys. I am hoping for a rested and ready Nico for the playoffs, he the best player of the group- when not gassed. Morris is old and slow but bigger and a much better offensive player than RoCo. RoCo is a much better defender but really is lacking at the other end besides catch-and-shoot 3 ball. I do think they need to platoon which basically means more RoCo, but I'd rather see each for their freshest 15 MPG per game. The 2nd 15 minutes in a game is generally going to be more dubious for any of them IMO.

Last year RoCo shot 45% from 3 for us in 23 games but has always been a mid to high 30's guy over his long career (36%). Actually Marcus went on a heater from 3 one year for us as well in 2020/21 (47%!!), which I guess (?) Ty is hoping to get again. But Morris is a high 30's guy as well for his career (37.6%)

I am retroactively fine with whoever shoots better from 3, that is the guy that should probably play more.

Facts and stats aren't getting very far with the eye testers. They know what they know.

Read on Twitter

[Clemenza]

I don’t understand why we can’t just give all of Morris’ minutes to Covington. He scored more in 5 mins of garbage time than Morris did all game, he’s clearly the better player.

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

I don't think Lue cares for RoCo as there seems to be a disconnect between Lue and the front office. In the offseason we resigned RoCo but didn't move Morris and right then and there I wondered if it would be a problem once the season started and low and behold we're still harping on this even in the season's twilight hours. There was never enough minutes for all these "depth" of players who needed minutes. There was no way we could play with two basketballs at one time during the games. Its evident that Mook is his guy just like Reggie was. I like RoCo and I know he's better than Morris at this stage of their careers but he's also overrated by the fanbase and has turned into a cult like figure. Once I saw that Bones got the newly opened up minutes from the PG injury over RoCo everything was signed in cement that Lue doesn't care for RoCo at all. Not mad at Bones getting the nod either. It was a good move.

[esqtvd]

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I get that, but dude, Morris can barely move out there, it’s time to shelve him.

I don't think Lue cares for RoCo as there seems to be a disconnect between Lue and the front office. In the offseason we resigned RoCo but didn't move Morris and right then and there I wondered if it would be a problem once the season started and low and behold we're still harping on this even in the season's twilight hours. There was never enough minutes for all these "depth" of players who needed minutes. There was no way we could play with two basketballs at one time during the games. Its evident that Mook is his guy just like Reggie was. I like RoCo and I know he's better than Morris at this stage of their careers but he's also overrated by the fanbase and has turned into a cult like figure. Once I saw that Bones got the newly opened up minutes from the PG injury over RoCo everything was signed in cement that Lue doesn't care for RoCo at all. Not mad at Bones getting the nod either. It was a good move.

Is it possible it's a basketball decision and not coming from base and evil motives?

When Portland dumped him, RoCo was averaging a lousy 9.2 points per 36 minutes, on 38%/34% shooting. Ty sees this guy every day and it's possible [even probable] he has regressed to his mean: He looked great in his 23 games for us last year--in a season that was going nowhere--but since the All-Star break, RoCo has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers except Powell [4 games] and Coffey [5 games].

I agree giving Bones a shot was a smart move--RoCo has given zero indication he can move the meter. I think his cultlike status is purely a function of Marcus Derangement, which has blinded some fans so much they forgot to notice that Batum hasn't been the least bit better.

Read on Twitter

[Scoundreldays]

Because Covington was 1-8 in 7 minutes the game before and has the worst plus/minus on the Clippers over the last 10 games?

I mean I get it but it's hard to get in any kind of rhythm when you are constantly dnp'd. Not saying he is the Clipper's savior but if he had more consistent time I think he would atleast be a little better.

Well it's the backup QB argument. Yeah ok, he sucks but the answer is to play him more, not less.

Ty is trying to sneak him in but he's not giving Ty enough to invest more. And with Westbrook actually doing well, I wouldn't want to mess with the starting lineup. There is ZERO margin for error right now, only 2 losses above 12th place!

I think Ty deserves a ton of credit for keeping Mann's minutes up and re-creating a rotation almost from scratch with the addition of Russ, EJ and Plumlee. And now no PG?? So many moving parts already!

I think he deserves credit too especially with the Bones decision. I think Ty Lue is in a very difficult spot.
Like I said in the past I just don't think Westbrook and Morris in the same lineup is a good lineup. The problem right now is Morris brings crappy offense and defense. Maybe Covington isn't the answer but someone else needs to step up if we want a chance to contend. But what do I know I have had a few tonight!

[esqtvd]

I mean I get it but it's hard to get in any kind of rhythm when you are constantly dnp'd. Not saying he is the Clipper's savior but if he had more consistent time I think he would atleast be a little better.

Well it's the backup QB argument. Yeah ok, he sucks but the answer is to play him more, not less.

Ty is trying to sneak him in but he's not giving Ty enough to invest more. And with Westbrook actually doing well, I wouldn't want to mess with the starting lineup. There is ZERO margin for error right now, only 2 losses above 12th place!

I think Ty deserves a ton of credit for keeping Mann's minutes up and re-creating a rotation almost from scratch with the addition of Russ, EJ and Plumlee. And now no PG?? So many moving parts already!

I think he deserves credit too especially with the Bones decision. I think Ty Lue is in a very difficult spot.
Like I said in the past I just don't think Westbrook and Morris in the same lineup is a good lineup. The problem right now is Morris brings crappy offense and defense. Maybe Covington isn't the answer but someone else needs to step up if we want a chance to contend. But what do I know I have had a few tonight!

Ty's strategy is clearly keeping the sub-achieving Morris in the starting lineup instead of throwing another rando starter [Mann, RoCo] in while trying to work in Russ.

If we don't get Westbrook worked in, we're fckd anyway. All-in. Westbrook is key, not Mann or RoCo or Morris. Those are the deck chairs.

Russ is doing well. At least Kawhi thinks so, and what else really matters?

https://hoopshype.com/2023/03/25/kawhi-leonard-loving-russell-westbrook-so-far/


I don't see why Morris starting means anything. It's about who finishes. In the playoffs. Of course we want Batum out there in the 4th quarter in the playoffs. Duh.

Ty needs to rest Nico up. And he is. Kawhi has to be happy. And he is.

[madmaxmedia]

Well it's the backup QB argument. Yeah ok, he sucks but the answer is to play him more, not less.

Ty is trying to sneak him in but he's not giving Ty enough to invest more. And with Westbrook actually doing well, I wouldn't want to mess with the starting lineup. There is ZERO margin for error right now, only 2 losses above 12th place!

I think Ty deserves a ton of credit for keeping Mann's minutes up and re-creating a rotation almost from scratch with the addition of Russ, EJ and Plumlee. And now no PG?? So many moving parts already!

I think he deserves credit too especially with the Bones decision. I think Ty Lue is in a very difficult spot.
Like I said in the past I just don't think Westbrook and Morris in the same lineup is a good lineup. The problem right now is Morris brings crappy offense and defense. Maybe Covington isn't the answer but someone else needs to step up if we want a chance to contend. But what do I know I have had a few tonight!

Ty's strategy is clearly keeping the sub-achieving Morris in the starting lineup instead of throwing another rando starter [Mann, RoCo] in while trying to work in Russ.

If we don't get Westbrook worked in, we're fckd anyway. All-in. Westbrook is key, not Mann or RoCo or Morris. Those are the deck chairs.

Russ is doing well. At least Kawhi thinks so, and what else really matters?

https://hoopshype.com/2023/03/25/kawhi-leonard-loving-russell-westbrook-so-far/


I don't see why Morris starting means anything. It's about who finishes. In the playoffs. Of course we want Batum out there in the 4th quarter in the playoffs. Duh.

Ty needs to rest Nico up. And he is. Kawhi has to be happy. And he is.

I do think it's an interesting point about which of the 2 might pair better with Russ, given their respective games. If Russ is gonna be more ball dominant and creating, RoCo might conceivably catch and shoot fine while providing better D.

I also don't care who starts, it's all about units to me. TBH I would personally lean to RoCo with PG and Kawhi, and Marcus when one or both sit to provide more offense. But it also depends on the other team's lineups of course.

I do like that Ty is willing to roll the dice a bit with Bones (I actually typed that out before recognizing the cringy pun there), he recognizes the spark Bones can bring even if it's a somewhat unsteady one. He's a playground player, but if he can add some NBA game recognition skills he can stick in this league and be a rotational player for us going forward (at a good price!) That would be a pretty amazing ASB find for a team sorely lacking at the position.

[esqtvd]

I think he deserves credit too especially with the Bones decision. I think Ty Lue is in a very difficult spot.
Like I said in the past I just don't think Westbrook and Morris in the same lineup is a good lineup. The problem right now is Morris brings crappy offense and defense. Maybe Covington isn't the answer but someone else needs to step up if we want a chance to contend. But what do I know I have had a few tonight!

Ty's strategy is clearly keeping the sub-achieving Morris in the starting lineup instead of throwing another rando starter [Mann, RoCo] in while trying to work in Russ.

If we don't get Westbrook worked in, we're fckd anyway. All-in. Westbrook is key, not Mann or RoCo or Morris. Those are the deck chairs.

Russ is doing well. At least Kawhi thinks so, and what else really matters?

https://hoopshype.com/2023/03/25/kawhi-leonard-loving-russell-westbrook-so-far/


I don't see why Morris starting means anything. It's about who finishes. In the playoffs. Of course we want Batum out there in the 4th quarter in the playoffs. Duh.

Ty needs to rest Nico up. And he is. Kawhi has to be happy. And he is.

I do think it's an interesting point about which of the 2 might pair better with Russ, given their respective games. If Russ is gonna be more ball dominant and creating, RoCo might conceivably catch and shoot fine while providing better D.

I also don't care who starts, it's all about units to me. TBH I would personally lean to RoCo with PG and Kawhi, and Marcus when one or both sit to provide more offense. But it also depends on the other team's lineups of course.

I do like that Ty is willing to roll the dice a bit with Bones (I actually typed that out before recognizing the cringy pun there), he recognizes the spark Bones can bring even if it's a somewhat unsteady one. He's a playground player, but if he can add some NBA game recognition skills he can stick in this league and be a rotational player for us going forward (at a good price!) That would be a pretty amazing ASB find for a team sorely lacking at the position.

Read on Twitter