GAME #33: LAC (20-12) @ SUNS (18-15) WEDS 1/3—6 PM

HardenGoat · Post #21 » by **HardenGoat** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:03 am

Kawhi heating up is a savior. He’s in finals MVP form

madmaxmedia · Post #22 » by **madmaxmedia** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:04 am

I love Russ’ sideline energy!

nickhx2 · Post #23 » by **nickhx2** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:11 am

would be nice if kawhi could pick it up and stop slacking! still a whole half a game to go!

KingCrimzzon · Post #24 » by **KingCrimzzon** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:15 am

clipperlover wrote:
Ballings7 wrote:Honorable by Plumlee - I kind of thought he'd stay behind Theis, at least normally.

I think he'll still be seen against bigger teams like Minny, Denver, Lakers

Honorable or a sign that he still doesn't feel completely comfortable with the knee?

The guy is only signed through this year. Plus, he has been hurt. He will want to get back on the court, but he knows we aren't desperate for his presence, so he can take time to work himself in.

He went down in the 1st game with Harden, so he has no chemistry with Harden yet. Mason will take the time now to get back into game shape and will work with Harden on the side. Then, when he feels that he can contribute effectively, he will go to Ty and let him know he is ready for an increased role.

With Plumlee back, we should NEVER see long stretches of small ball.

I think there's definitely some truth to not being in game shape and being nervous about the knee. I really hope he gets into some games soon because these guys need ro learn to play big too (so tired of small ball). Despite all that we playing nicely here with 70 1st half points. Maybe if thus game becomes garbage time in the 4th, Plumlee can get some minutes.

NickP · Post #25 » by **NickP** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:16 am

What a nice half. Everything's going great. Let's bring this home now.

wakelaunch1 · Post #26 » by **wakelaunch1** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:34 am

PG doing what he needs to do. Be a catch and shoot player. I said it in the last game. This needs to be his role with Harden/kawhi. Zubac doing well passing the ball and everyone falling into their role.

esqtvd · Post #27 » by **esqtvd** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:55 am

I'm always saying we look like a pickup team. Because we almost always were in the 213 era.

Not only do we have a hellacious starting 5, but tonight the back of the rotation looks like...well, a rotation.

nickhx2 · Post #28 » by **nickhx2** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 3:55 am

wow absolutely horrible TO by westbrook

Ballings7 · Post #29 » by **Ballings7** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:20 am

Booker really trying to make the comeback

How about, no?

nickhx2 · Post #30 » by **nickhx2** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:32 am

they need to finish this game up fast cause pistons/jazz just went into OT after a wild finish in regulation and it's must see tv lol

nickhx2 · Post #31 » by **nickhx2** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:36 am

norm powell out here trying to throw the game

CMON, MAN, i got pistons basketball to watch!

KingCrimzzon · Post #32 » by **KingCrimzzon** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:41 am

Nice job holding on to this one. Hoping for a daily double today LAC win LAL loss :lol:

nickhx2 · Post #33 » by **nickhx2** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:42 am

PG really gamed hard tonight. he was doing everything but i was really impressed with him on defense, because he's not always at this level of D throughout the season.

also, despite KD not being in in the lineup you kinda feel like you'll at least never have to worry about PG throwing up a dud against the suns (which bodes well for rest of the season or in the playoffs).

Jay555 · Post #34 » by **Jay555** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:46 am

5 vs 8

playaloc916 · Post #35 » by **playaloc916** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:47 am

Good win, PG came to play tonight. 5 players in double digits. You can really see the momentum building.

Pelicans will be tough, but this team has beat some good teams recently. Let's see how it goes.

NickP · Post #36 » by **NickP** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 4:51 am

The cream is slowly rising to the top.

jengmann3 · Post #37 » by **jengmann3** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 5:00 am

They shot so well this game. I thought PG's start was great, and Harden's baskets were timely. I hate to be that guy, but I got frustrated at times with Zubac... He had 3 rebounds and just didn't make an impact. I thought Ty Lue also should've played T Mann more when Booker was going crazy, as he was doing a really good job in the first half. Overall, decent win on the road, basically leading from start to finish. I think KD will be back for the next matchup. Also the New Orleans game will be tough.

MartinToVaught · Post #38 » by **MartinToVaught** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 5:16 am

Poor Suns. Winning is hard when you actually have to face the other team's best players for once.

esqtvd · Post #39 » by **esqtvd** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 5:37 am

NickP wrote:The cream is slowly rising to the top.

It's all about continuity. Knowing what your teammate is going to do before he knows it himself.

Kawhi knows. But he's just not communicative. Harden is even more a basketball genius and HE'S been working with Zu and Powell and Theis and no doubt everybody else too.

CP3 is a basketball genius and I remember the Rockets marveling at CP and Beard masterminding tactics together, talking hoop way over everybody else's head.

The failure of Lob City is yes, on the injuries, but IMO it's also on CP's head. He just didn't lead OFF the court like Beard is. And remember, after engineering CP's escape from Lob City to the Rockets, Beard had Morey DUMP Chris after only one year.

This stuff is such a delicate recipe. Philly is better without Harden; the Clippers are better with him. Chris is on his 3rd stop after leaving the Clips, and nothing to show for it.

Wammy Giveaway · Post #40 » by **Wammy Giveaway** » Thu Jan 4, 2024 6:00 am

esqtvd wrote:
NickP wrote:The cream is slowly rising to the top.

It's all about continuity. Knowing what your teammate is going to do before he knows it himself.

Kawhi knows. But he's just not communicative. Harden is even more a basketball genius and HE'S been working with Zu and Powell and Theis and no doubt everybody else too.

CP3 is a basketball genius and I remember the Rockets marveling at CP and Beard masterminding tactics, talking hoop way over everybody else's head.

The failure of Lob City is yes, on the injuries, but IMO it's also on CP's head. He just didn't lead OFF the court like Beard is. And remember, after engineering CP's escape from Lob City to the Rockets, Beard had Morey DUMP Chris after only one year.

This stuff is such a delicate recipe. Philly is better without Harden; the Clippers are better with him. Chris is on his 3rd stop after leaving the Clips, and nothing to show for it.

Having a nice-guy image with power grip in the Players Association by having personal connections to LeBron James doesn't always cut it. Paul has always been selfish in a passive "I-didn't-do-it-he-made-me-do-it" sort of way, especially when things never went according to his plan. Going to the Warriors and playing behind his arch nemesis Stephen Curry was a huge blow to his ego, but even that's not working. This is why I think Paul may seek a buyout and join the Lakers before his retirement: (1) the LeBron-as-his-savior narrative (2) rectifying the veto and (3) revenge on Clippers for ruining his Hall Of Fame legacy.

Clippers need to keep their enemies closer; at any point, Paul will execute an far greater escape than the legendary Harry Houdini mustered in his heyday. Outside of the Lakers, the Nuggets (drawing the greatest 3-1 collapse in NBA history), Celtics (0-2 vs. Boston when they were once the Buffalo Braves) and even the 76ers (payback for Harden's departure) are open into saving Paul's career. Everyone will focus solely on basketball and the match-ups because sports are not scripted, but don't underestimate the power of locker room material.