ROUND 1, GAME #5 Clippers @ SUNS—TUESDAY 7 PM TNT/Bally

[esqtvd]

meta-DISCUSSION MOVED TO HERE

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1697937&p=105678565#p105678565

As Suns-Clippers Potentially Ends, All Eyes Shift to Kawhi Leonard
https://www.si.com/nba/suns/analysis/phoenix-suns-la-clippers-potentially-ends-all-eyes-shift-kawhi-leonard

[og15]

I know we're all frustrated, dissappointed, whatever words, but let's move this thread back to being a game thread, and any of the other topics can have threads made for them as people desire.

[clipperlover]

It wasn't a plan. It just sort of happened. The Kawhi thing dragged on after he named his price--get another superstar or I ain't coming.

Ballmer had set his sights on Kawhi and there was no Plan B. Basically they handed Kawhi the gun to hold them up with.

Well you're moving the goal posts here a bit. First you say there was no plan at all, now you say there was no Plan B. First of all we don't know if there was a Plan B or not, I'd certainly hope so. Second, Plan A came to fruition so any Plan B became irrelevant.

I'm as disappointed as any about what has happened since the KL/PG signings, but at the time I was all in and it was widely considered a brilliant move by the team (yet of course risky when you mortgage your future like that). Plenty of teams hitch their boat to a couple of stars, LAC unfortunately are one that hasn't worked out so well. I can't fault team Ballmer for taking that shot. At least we are not Dallas!

The entire blame for all of this fall's on Ballmer. He should have known prior to signing Kawhi and Paul George that a major pandemic was going to impact the NBA mid-season and force the teams to take months off and and impact they way teams go about building for a post season. Why go all in knowing that a pandemic was going to shut everything down? He should have known how to predict the future better.

[esqtvd]

I know we're all frustrated, dissappointed, whatever words, but let's move this thread back to being a game thread, and any of the other topics can have threads made for them as people desire.

You are correct. Sorry. Discussion exported, back to Game 5.

Read on Twitter

[ejftw]

EJ at +4000 is something I'd drop $10 for the **** and giggles

[clipperlover]

Games 3 and 4, the supporting cast did not perform as expected. They better play desperate tonight. The failure to get Zu easy buckets has been a problem. In the 2021 WCF, Zu had a double-double in his last 3 games. His knee sprain in Game 4 cost us that game and the rest of the series.

Zu in game 3 that year had 15 pts, 16 rbs and was 9-10 from the FT line. If that Zu can show up the rest of this series, we can still pull this off.

[NickP]

Alright, we're winning this one tonight.
GO CLIPPERS!!

[Clemenza]

Just throw the kitchen sink at the Suns tonight. I don't even care about who's experienced or not. Just run up and down the court and defend with nonstop energy. Throw RoCo, Boston, Coffey, or whoever in there as subs and keep the legs churning for 48 minutes. That lineup that includes Morris, Gordon, Zu, or Batum all on the floor for extended minutes is just pure molasses and instantly puts us in a deep hole. Get that off the tv screen. Just run tonight. Whoever isn't making shots, next man up. This is it or its Cancun!

[Clemenza]

Games 3 and 4, the supporting cast did not perform as expected. They better play desperate tonight. The failure to get Zu easy buckets has been a problem. In the 2021 WCF, Zu had a double-double in his last 3 games. His knee sprain in Game 4 cost us that game and the rest of the series.

Zu in game 3 that year had 15 pts, 16 rbs and was 9-10 from the FT line. If that Zu can show up the rest of this series, we can still pull this off.

Zu's gotta light a fire in him and get angry and hungry. He looked good in game 1 but sluggish and head not in the game since then. Some plays ran for him would help no doubt

[esqtvd]

Read on Twitter

[MartinToVaught]

Read on Twitter

And I say the Clippers can try a different head coach.

[Bobbymcgee]

Hopefully I am wrong but I fully expect another brilliant performance from our three-headed monster at power forward (Batum, Covington, MMSr). I predict a combined 6 point, 4 rebound, 2 assist game.

[ejftw]

Hopefully I am wrong but I fully expect another brilliant performance from our three-headed monster at power forward (Batum, Covington, MMSr). I predict a combined 6 point, 4 rebound, 2 assist game.

I'm going 9 points, 7 boards, 8 fouls, 6 turnovers on 17 field goal attempts

[esqtvd]

Hopefully I am wrong but I fully expect another brilliant performance from our three-headed monster at power forward (Batum, Covington, MMSr). I predict a combined 6 point, 4 rebound, 2 assist game.

I'm going 9 points, 7 boards, 8 fouls, 6 turnovers on 17 field goal attempts

Dead horses. It's on Zu, Mann and Norman. Maybe Bones. Anyone under 30.

[Clemenza]

Hopefully I am wrong but I fully expect another brilliant performance from our three-headed monster at power forward (Batum, Covington, MMSr). I predict a combined 6 point, 4 rebound, 2 assist game.

This is what I'm afraid of, a game that will be nothing but Ty trying to get "his guys" going and be the focal point in this do or die game

[mttwlsn16]

I have already seen enough of MMSr tonight

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[esqtvd]

Hopefully I am wrong but I fully expect another brilliant performance from our three-headed monster at power forward (Batum, Covington, MMSr). I predict a combined 6 point, 4 rebound, 2 assist game.

I'm going 9 points, 7 boards, 8 fouls, 6 turnovers on 17 field goal attempts

Dead horses. It's on Zu, Mann and Norman. Maybe Bones. Anyone under 30.

ok Powell and Zu have all the points

and now Marcus!

[og15]

actually not bad fouling Biyombo

EDIT: Well, didn't work so well, but 36% FT is still a good foul

[esqtvd]

Westbrook actually got a call??!!

non-shooting of course lol

[og15]

Feel like Plumlee was still trying to fight for position but the ball was already there