Game #11: ROCKETS (6-3) @ LAC (3-7) FRI 11/17, 7:30 PM

[esqtvd]

Looking up at the Rockets in the standings. UGH.

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[KL2]

I love him. It’s not him who should but what an ultimate teammate. Glad he’s with us.

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[The High Cyde]

He’s getting his jersey bought by me eventually lol

[Clemenza]

Much love to Russ. This is a must must must must MUST win for us tonight!

[Captain Ballmer]

Just win some games man.

[og15]

Thanks Russ.

Said it on the General Board

Right now, the team is starting all 4, then Westbrook comes out early, around 4 minutes and then it's a new unit together trying to figure it out. The starting lineup has only been playing 12 mpg together.

This way, you can start:
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac

It was obvious that one would need to be the 6th man, glad someone volunteered. Theis off the bench will also be a better fit with Westbrook. You can still have Westbrook and George together with the main bench unit, Westbrook/Powell/George/Tucker/Theis

[HardenGoat]

expect a totally different game now, both Harden and Westbrook can be themselves. This had to happen (one of either coming off the bench) and things are going to go much better

[HardenGoat]

Thanks Russ.

Said it on the General Board

Right now, the team is starting all 4, then Westbrook comes out early, around 4 minutes and then it's a new unit together trying to figure it out. The starting lineup has only been playing 12 mpg together.

This way, you can start:
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac

It was obvious that one would need to be the 6th man, glad someone volunteered. Theis off the bench will also be a better fit with Westbrook. You can still have Westbrook and George together with the main bench unit, Westbrook/Powell/George/Tucker/Theis

Theis is a great fit for Westbrook, he can space the floor

[nickhx2]

meh

should have been harden but at least something happened sooner rather than later

[Wammy Giveaway]

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Everyone in the media wanted Clippers to have Harden come off the bench partly because Westbrook-George-Leonard was already proven, partly because Harden needs to be humbled/punished for his selfishness, be like Chris Paul. But Lue did not want to lose the Fantastic 4 super team aura, or else Clippers would be easily beatable.

With Westbrook coming off the bench and becoming a role player, Clippers have gone down to a Big 3. A little better, but still blinded. Only reason why Harden is still starting is because of his money. Leonard, George and Harden all make more than $35 million each, and the unwritten rule is you never, ever, ever, ever - FOREVER - bench a player that is making superstar money. Also, those three are the biggest grabs Clippers ever had post Lob City: George via trade, Leonard a conditional free agency signing (he wouldn't come unless Clippers traded for George), and Harden via trade. Westbrook was acquired as a buyout player. See the difference?

Lastly, recall what I said about proven commodities. We already have minute samples of all different lineups - except one, Harden-Mann-George-Leonard-Zubac. Clippers are thinking that they will win (finally) because they are using a lineup that has never been trotted before. They should have gone with the most reliable by minutes and net difference over taking a huge risk with an unknown. But they believe the presence of Mann alone will alleviate whatever problems the Clippers have regardless of who's on the floor. Mann is becoming the Clipper's lucky charm - plug him, and they automatically win.

[madmaxmedia]

Thanks Russ.

Said it on the General Board

Right now, the team is starting all 4, then Westbrook comes out early, around 4 minutes and then it's a new unit together trying to figure it out. The starting lineup has only been playing 12 mpg together.

This way, you can start:
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac

It was obvious that one would need to be the 6th man, glad someone volunteered. Theis off the bench will also be a better fit with Westbrook. You can still have Westbrook and George together with the main bench unit, Westbrook/Powell/George/Tucker/Theis

For awhile we were all focusing on minutes and staggering regardless of who started, but yes- what's the point of starting one lineup that is not a 'real lineup' for 4 or 5 minutes, and then switch it up? It's just prolonging the development process and making it even harder.

[KL2]

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[esqtvd]

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All you can do is mix it up until something clicks. And I think Tucker can help if they find the right situations for him. He brings toughness, although versus young athletic teams, the game has likely passed him by.

[KL2]

Spacing is better.

Almost 7 minutes and Leonard not only hasn't taken a shot but has barely touched it.

[KL2]

Leonard hurt?? Said he went to the locker room.

Never mind. He’s back.

Loving the activity from Theis.

[esqtvd]

Spacing is better.

Almost 7 minutes and Leonard not only hasn't taken a shot but has barely touched it.

Well, there's that.

Kawhi is counterpuncher, not a puncher. His thing is turning a good team into a great team, not making a bad team into a good one. He sits back until everybody else figures out how to be good, then is the straw that stirs the drink.

Kawhi is NOT gonna bust ass and risk further injury to make a bad team a good team. Not how he rolls.

Harden finally looks more like Harden. He is truly useless without the ball.

[KL2]

Holy crap. Westbrook tried to end that man’s life.

[Scoundreldays]

Guess the team thought they needed to only win the 1st quarter

[LamarWho]

Our offense is so unwatchable, midway through the 2nd we have a total of 2 assists for the whole team. We have next to zero ball movement.

[esqtvd]

Tucker is 10 minutes, minus-14. Zero shots. Your day may come, but today ain't it, bruh. Unplayable for now.

The rest of the Clippers bench is 1-for-8. Not all his fault but when you're the worst +/-, you gotta go.