Game 49: Los Angeles (33-15) @ Oakland (27-19)

[mkwest]

Clippers wave the white flag and send in Mullens.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Well this game is over. I don't want any of our players hurt. Let's just get out of the Bay

[TheNewEra]

The white flag unit is in and yet it has our starting SF.

[mkwest]

111-92 is the final.

I'm definitely not watching Inside the NBA tonight.

[Quake Griffin]

The team has provided a lackluster effort and performance tonight in a game they should have been geared up for against a hated rival. I don't care if we're without Chris Paul or that we're on the end of a back-to-back after an extended road trip. There is no excuse for the lack of rebounds and defense nor for the perimter-happy shot-chucking.

Sure, the Clippers are a dangerous team on offense capable of prolific scoring but the one thing the team has been consistent in has been giving uneven effort when it comes to boxing out and actively pursuing rebounds. While the defense is a work in progress, the inconsistent commitment to guarding opponents and protecting the rim has been appalling for a team that supposedly has championship aspirations. Even the offense has an inclination towards operating on the periphery rather than in the trenches of post-play.

The Clips have all too often proven vulnerable against teams that play gritty, hard-nosed basketball regardless of talent level and, against talented competition who employ this brand of b-ball, we get embarrassed on a regular basis whether it's the Pacers or tonight against the Warriors. This is not a recipe for success in the playoffs so I don't understand why the players still don't get this yet and continue to take things for granted as exhibited by their effort. With or without the Point God, winners show up to play every night as true competitors.

put your panic button away man.
lol.

The Warriors aren't "tough" or "gritty"
we had a pretty bad effort and lost out there.
these happen during the year...it just sucks it happened to them.

[TheNewEra]

Mullens and Hollins come in and do Mullens and Hollins things.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

MK I already turned the TV. I need to get my mind off the Clippers

[TheNewEra]

3rd quarter was the down fall we could of been much closer.

[TheNewEra]

Brutal loss but this team still has so much potential. We need Doc to get focused as GM and coach getting this team back on track on defense and get us a C. DJ and Blake are playing more than they should in games like these.

[Ranma]

put your panic button away man.
lol.

The Warriors aren't "tough" or "gritty"
we had a pretty bad effort and lost out there.
these happen during the year...it just sucks it happened to them.

I'm not panicking. Just calling it like I see it. My criticism is not based on just this one game but on the overall performance of the team based not only on my expectations but on those the team set for itself. Maybe I should put blinders on and just be happy that they're a top-4 seed in the competitive West, but that is not what Doc had in mind for this team. He's been vocal about this team not doing enough in winning the "50-50" battles that are known as hustle plays. Let's also not forget that he treats the regular season as practice for the postseason, which means he expects his players to bring maximum effort and focus each and every night.

The Warriors may not be a "tough" or "gritty" team, but compared to the Clips, they most definitely were tonight. How many points did they outscore us by in the paint? How many hard fouls did they give Blake Griffin preventing him from converting on finishes around the rim negating possible momentum-shifting plays? How many boards did they outrebound us by tonight? Who held whom to under 100 points? If the Warriors are not hard-nosed, then what does that say about the Clippers? Have you forgotten about the losses to the Bobcats and the Magic?

It's one thing to dismiss these efforts as anomalies but it's another to not recognize that this team is susceptible to being exposed due to the lack of focus and consistency in effort. One must first acknowledge a problem before one can hope to solve it. Part of the blame also rests with Doc, as a personnel managing executive, who's accumulated the likes of Mullens and Jamison who are wasted roster spots with nary significant contributions.

Lest I be accused of being a hater, I am still hopeful and pulling for something to get the team an epiphany where everything comes together but I'm not going to hide my disappointment when I know they are capable of being better. I've been more proud of Clipper teams of the mid-90's which had Bo Outlaw, Harold Ellis, Malik Sealy, et al getting the most out of their squads even with their dismal won-loss record.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Terrible loss but considering the circumstances I'm not really that mad.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Jamison,Mullens and even Hollins why are they on the team.

towelboys

[LACtdom]

Our shots weren't falling but the real concern was the terrible defence. I hope in the playoffs we show up on D.