Open Scrimmage at USC's Galen Center (entire game on pg 3)

Cracka2Hi · Post #21 » by **Cracka2Hi** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 7:54 am

I went to the Clippers open scrimmage today at Galen Center. It was a great experience. The highlight was a meet and greet and photo opp with a group of players after the event. There were 3 groups of players and you only got to meet 1 depending on the color wrist band you had. You couldn't see any of the players as they were hidden by curtains. I thought for sure it would be guys like Fortson, Blakley, Leslie ect. However as I walk around the curtain I stood in amazement as my group had Lamar Odom...and Chris Paul!!! It also had Green, Blakley and Turiaf. I think it was Green and Blakley but honestly I'm not sure because I was mad star struck by getting to meet and shake hands with CP3!

As for the scrimmage. I think there is a lot of important information to report and it's mostly bad. First of all, Chauncey will not be ready for opening night. He is not close to full speed. He was shooting around, but can only jog and has a noticeable limp when he does. He looks to be 10-12 weeks away. Grant Hill does not look to be a big part of the team. At least at this point. He didn't enter the scrimmage at all and barely participated in the drills. He may be banged up, but I haven't seen anything. Lamar Odom had an ice pack on his left knee during the meet and greet.

As we all know Chris Paul is not practicing with the team and let me say...they look terrible without him. Bledsoe was running the 1st team, and some undrafted rookie the 2nd team and let me tell you we will not win many games without CP3. Hopefully he is 100% by opening night. Willie Green was running with the starters and looked awful!! Bledsoe and Green are an awful starting backcourt. Barnes was running with the 2nd team over Hill. Barnes looked to be in good shape and played well. The backups tied the starters 31-31. Blake was at the foul line to end the scrimmage. His team was down 1, everyone was chanting "overtime" and he made 1 of 2. It was pretty funny, but the game ended in a tie.

There really aren't many positives to speak on, but it was only an early training camp practice. Blake looks 100% and that is a big positive. His shooting form looks a lot better, but he did not look confidant in his shot during the scrimmage and played poorly against guys like Hollins, Turiaf and some white guy from BYU who wears #44...he will not make the team. Travis Leslie played well. However I look at that as a negative, he was going against our 1st team!! Butler and Crawford look to be in great shape and had solid games. Crawford had a DOPE crossover!

The biggest plus was DJ! He was terrible during the scrimmage. He had a really bad game. That said, he looks WAY better! I read he lost weight and he has, he looks to be in great shape! His shot looks way better! He has added a drop step to his game. He dropped back and took a little 8 foot fade away jumper. He gets up really good on his jump shot and his form was nice. That said he missed LOL! He also had a drop step, up and under move ala The Dream. He missed that too. However he was decisive both times and looked comfortable and fluid making the move. Making the shots will come in time, but he def learned some ish this summer!

Well that's about it. Hopefully this information is useful to you!

mike3 · Post #22 » by **mike3** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 9:31 am

That video of Chauncey getting chants, if that's him actually trying to run then that's a worry. I see why he's far away. On that note, great to see us Clipper fans so fond of Billups

Post #23 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 4:58 pm

Thanks for all the info and insight guys. I was really busy during the time of the scrimmage and I honestly forgot that it happened. (Until I made it home last night)

I wouldn't expect the team to be sharp at this point. As long as we are healthy and together early in the season we should be fine. The team will get better and find its rhythm.

mttwlsn16 · Post #24 » by **mttwlsn16** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 5:04 pm

http://www.nba.com/clippers/video/2012/ ... index.html

mttwlsn16 · Post #25 » by **mttwlsn16** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 5:10 pm

any vid of ralph's intro's?

Post #26 » by **mkwest** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 8:47 pm

INSIDER: THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM SCRIMMAGE

During the scrimmage the Clippers showed an improved level of communication on that side of the floor. Center DeAndre Jordan, who is expected to be the team’s defensive anchor, directed traffic, Ryan Hollins, while in the lineup in the final 12 minutes, did the same, and Griffin called out switches and was overall more demonstrative.

Of course, there were still areas that need tightening, but the help defense, communication, intensity, and guards’ willingness to dig down on post players were all a step in the right direction.

Crawford proved why he’s considered one of the more underrated passers in the league, playing two-man basketball with Hank Thorns in the corner early in the scrimmage and whipping a pass behind his back to Barnes. He’s averaged nearly four assists per game, so it should come as little surprise that with options around him, the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year could be a willing playmaker.

Odom could be, too. He piled up assists and rebounds and knocked down a 3-pointer from straightaway. Really, the only concern from Wednesday was his penchant to accumulate fouls (four in less than 20 minutes of action). Add Barnes, who ran the floor as advertised and made two 3-pointers, to a group that will soon include Hill, Eric Bledsoe and Willie Green, and we’re talking about a unit that runs at least 11 deep.

Travis Leslie played well. After a rookie season spent nursing a tender ankle and shuttling between the Development League’s Bakersfield Jam and the NBA, there are still a number of unknowns about the Clippers’ 2011 second round draft pick. Leslie has missed the last two Summer Leagues, one due to the lockout, the other to injury, and has been running almost exclusively with the third team in camp so far, but Wednesday Leslie seized an opportunity.

Eric Patten, Clippers.com

Post #27 » by **mkwest** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 8:53 pm

Cracka2Hi wrote:I went to the Clippers open scrimmage today at Galen Center. It was a great experience. The highlight was a meet and greet and photo opp with a group of players after the event. There were 3 groups of players and you only got to meet 1 depending on the color wrist band you had. You couldn't see any of the players as they were hidden by curtains. I thought for sure it would be guys like Fortson, Blakley, Leslie ect. However as I walk around the curtain I stood in amazement as my group had Lamar Odom...and Chris Paul!!! It also had Green, Blakley and Turiaf. I think it was Green and Blakley but honestly I'm not sure because I was mad star struck by getting to meet and shake hands with CP3!

As for the scrimmage. I think there is a lot of important information to report and it's mostly bad. First of all, Chauncey will not be ready for opening night. He is not close to full speed. He was shooting around, but can only jog and has a noticeable limp when he does. He looks to be 10-12 weeks away. Grant Hill does not look to be a big part of the team. At least at this point. He didn't enter the scrimmage at all and barely participated in the drills. He may be banged up, but I haven't seen anything. Lamar Odom had an ice pack on his left knee during the meet and greet.

As we all know Chris Paul is not practicing with the team and let me say...they look terrible without him. Bledsoe was running the 1st team, and some undrafted rookie the 2nd team and let me tell you we will not win many games without CP3. Hopefully he is 100% by opening night. Willie Green was running with the starters and looked awful!! Bledsoe and Green are an awful starting backcourt. Barnes was running with the 2nd team over Hill. Barnes looked to be in good shape and played well. The backups tied the starters 31-31. Blake was at the foul line to end the scrimmage. His team was down 1, everyone was chanting "overtime" and he made 1 of 2. It was pretty funny, but the game ended in a tie.

There really aren't many positives to speak on, but it was only an early training camp practice. Blake looks 100% and that is a big positive. His shooting form looks a lot better, but he did not look confidant in his shot during the scrimmage and played poorly against guys like Hollins, Turiaf and some white guy from BYU who wears #44...he will not make the team. Travis Leslie played well. However I look at that as a negative, he was going against our 1st team!! Butler and Crawford look to be in great shape and had solid games. Crawford had a DOPE crossover!

The biggest plus was DJ! He was terrible during the scrimmage. He had a really bad game. That said, he looks WAY better! I read he lost weight and he has, he looks to be in great shape! His shot looks way better! He has added a drop step to his game. He dropped back and took a little 8 foot fade away jumper. He gets up really good on his jump shot and his form was nice. That said he missed LOL! He also had a drop step, up and under move ala The Dream. He missed that too. However he was decisive both times and looked comfortable and fluid making the move. Making the shots will come in time, but he def learned some ish this summer!

Well that's about it. Hopefully this information is useful to you!

Thanks for the review

Thankfully they still have some time to get things together before the season starts. With Chauncey, he said that he's probably not going to play until sometime in December. That is about 7-8 weeks away from now, so that 10-12 week speculation could very well be true. Even when he does return, he'll probably be eased back into the rotation.

Post #28 » by **mkwest** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 9:06 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21GotQC4S-o[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsdTdf_2jE[/youtube]

Post #29 » by **mkwest** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 9:43 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDWjxcDRrl0[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O7hu3KYYEs[/youtube]

Post #30 » by **mkwest** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 9:57 pm

If there’s a flaw in Griffin’s game (in addition to improving from the free throw line), it’s on the defensive end of the floor.

“Being a better defender, being a better help defender and a better on the ball defender, that’s really my main focus throughout camp,” Griffin said.

Both Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan were notably vocal through defensive rotations (more so earlier in the scrimmage than later, but this was a very informal setting).

Del Negro has made defense the early focus in training camp . In the scrimmage, Jordan was the most vocal in leading the team through rotations.

Lamar Odom, historically, shows up to camp in “medium” shape and works himself in through camp and the early part of the season. His best year with the Los Angeles Lakers was when he played summer ball with Team USA.

He, by no means, looked overweight but equally, he’s not where he’ll be in a month’s time.

Odom already gave the team a different look with a playmaking option in the frontcourt. With Paul and Billups out, Odom got a lot of touches and moved the ball well.

“I think we’re the deepest team in the league,” Jordan said. “We definitely have guys who can start for other NBA teams coming off the bench.”

Eric Pincus, HoopsWorld

Post #31 » by **mkwest** » Thu Oct 4, 2012 10:02 pm

Complete scrimmage

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FheHDqIKVuw[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0XT1nnseMI[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAuouOM0yNI[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMPkkCP_ab0[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ZX9R47WzI[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4X5haGT7jA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRjoUTiho_E[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEyVjaFxhEU[/youtube]

Post #32 » by **og15** » Fri Oct 5, 2012 2:09 am

Blake is playing too hard for scrimmage, and by that I mean there's no need to dive on the floor for a loose ball. The guys were talking about Crawford's FT%, and they were like 70's - 80's, I believe he was at like 90% range last season.

Blake didn't post up once in the videos, so you know they weren't running stuff exactly like they would in a game

Cracka2Hi · Post #33 » by **Cracka2Hi** » Fri Oct 5, 2012 2:40 am

^ I couldn't agree more. Blake showed no passion or confidence when he had the ball, but he kept diving on the floor.

mike3 · Post #34 » by **mike3** » Fri Oct 5, 2012 3:46 am

Relax, its a scrimmage. Let's not worry about passion in scrimmages lol.

mj_shoefanatic · Post #35 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Fri Oct 5, 2012 8:36 am

scrimmage should never be taken that seriously but it will be interesting to see how well we do in preseason games.

Post #36 » by **og15** » Fri Oct 5, 2012 1:03 pm

mike3 wrote:Relax, its a scrimmage. Let's not worry about passion in scrimmages lol.

Yea, lol, Blake has shown passion in 164 regular season games and playoffs, I think he's okay

illastrate · Post #37 » by **illastrate** » Fri Oct 5, 2012 6:23 pm

Thanks for putting up my photo mkwest. Yes, Lamar has shed some weight. Looks closer to his playing weight. Historically, he's waited until training camp to get into shape. Anyways, here's a writeup I did on TheNoLookPass.com:

http://www.thenolookpass.com/2012/10/04 ... 012-recap/

Post #38 » by **mkwest** » Sat Oct 6, 2012 3:34 am

illastrate wrote:Thanks for putting up my photo mkwest. Yes, Lamar has shed some weight. Looks closer to his playing weight. Historically, he's waited until training camp to get into shape. Anyways, here's a writeup I did on TheNoLookPass.com:

http://www.thenolookpass.com/2012/10/04 ... 012-recap/

Thanks for taking care of us that didn't get to go.

You did a nice write-up on each player. Everybody should go check that out. I was a little disappointed with the way Lamar showed up to camp. As you get older, it's not as easy to get into shape as when you're younger. I'm sure that he'll get to the point he needs to be soon, it's just that we had to experience the whole playing into game shape with Baron. You can't overdo it or you're more susceptible to aggravating or tweaking something. If he can get back on track and perform closer to what is usually expected of him, then he's a huge addition moving forward. Evans and Martin both provided things that were vital to the team, but were liabilities outside of those strengths. Lamar is much more talented than either and could be the difference between this team being good or being great.

mike3 · Post #39 » by **mike3** » Sat Oct 6, 2012 7:39 am

Nice recap illastrate. Great way to let us give us guys that missed the game/couldn't see it the important details of how each player played. Thanks.

Quake Griffin · Post #40 » by **Quake Griffin** » Sat Oct 6, 2012 8:43 pm

deandre being vocal as hell.
looked good out there man.

Do I expect Dre to put it all together at 24/25?
no.

but the fact that he is taking this serious and really working to become that anchor....no doubt in my mind that he'll be there as he enters his prime...and it's going to keep our team competitive for years to come.

Griffin's jumper looks alright as well.
elbow tucked.
not shooting it on the way down.

MORE REPS!
CONFIDENCE PLEASE!

love this team and how they work.
i don't want another team...i want to win with this core...will feel awesome.