Preseason Game 2: Los Angeles (0-1) VS Portland (2-0)

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Thanks for your analysis clippermitch and PETEY PABLO. This game wasn't televised and I'm not in So Cal so your descriptions are very helpful. I was pleased with the transactions that were made this season. We all know that talent wasn't the issue last year and I brought up the fact at the beginning of last season that we had so many new players and that chemistry would be a problem.

I like the fact that the veterans that were added all believe that we can make a playoff push this season, it's first important that our team believes that we can win. I'm glad we had a good showing in this game let's keep it up. I also would have attended if I was in LA, I'll have to wait until November

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Here's a link to the highlights
http://www.nba.com/video/games/clippers ... 0010900034

I have to say even though they were just highlights I was very excited with what I saw, I wish I would have been able to watch the game.

[PlinkingPanda]

Damn that was a sick move by Telfair to Jordan at the end.

[clipperdrew]

Here's a link to the highlights
http://www.nba.com/video/games/clippers ... 0010900034

I have to say even though they were just highlights I was very excited with what I saw, I wish I would have been able to watch the game.

Good looking out! I'm on the same page too. I definitely wish I could of watched the whole game. In the brief footage, I was very impressed with Bassy. 10 dimes 0 turnovers, and that last highlight was to ill!

[playaloc916]

Here's a link to the highlights
http://www.nba.com/video/games/clippers ... 0010900034

I have to say even though they were just highlights I was very excited with what I saw, I wish I would have been able to watch the game.

Same here. There were some really nice plays in there. I loved both of Telfair's highlights. The sweet spin move and dish to Jordan, and also that funny play were he picked up the ball off the ground and passed to Butler for the lay in.

[scratch21]

the faster pace we play the more Bassy will produce

[mkwest]

Thanks Mitch and Petey. Your recaps have added life to the box score. I was hyped just listening to the radio, so reading your views of the game just adds to the excitement. Last year, we never had a full team play together during the preseason. This year we actually got to have that and they all played well together. We need to continue to play in good health, so that we can start the season off right.

Jordan has stepped his game up and is showing that a nice performance isn't a fluke. If he keeps playing strongly, Dunleavy will need to give him minutes. If he gets minutes that means that somebody is losing theirs or Griffin will be spending some of his time at the 3. Having a lot of talented players that can produce is a great problem to have, but with problems, you need to find solutions.

[mj_shoefanatic]

We looked great as a unit last night.

[mkwest]

On the game...
“The game from our standpoint showed us some things we wanted to see. I thought our guys defended very well. We had 32 deflections in the game. We created turnovers and opportunities in the open court that we took advantage of and we had good ball movement. We shot a high percentage, but it was all spread out. Guys really did a nice job of playing together. They made some runs back at us and our guys held pretty strong, so it was a good first game to be at home.”

On the play of Sebastian Telfair...
“He’s got major basketball IQ; he really gets everything very quickly. He understands all of our sets and what we’re trying to do. He understands timing and he puts passes on the money and gives you great effort out there. Those are all things that you’re looking for.”

On the play of Blake Griffin...
“First and foremost, I was able to play him at two positions, which is something I didn’t count on and didn’t think about. Just because of his IQ and his work ethic, wanting to learn it and kind of getting it down. I thought he did a lot of good things. It’s a learning experience.”

On his first professional game...
“I had little jitters in the first quarter and when I was shooting around before the game. I got a lot more playing time than expected and my outside shot felt good tonight and my form felt good.”

On the difference between college and the pros...
“I noticed how much harder the pros work and how fundamentally sound they are”

“I’m getting a lot more time this season because coach is getting more comfortable with me in the game and my game play.”

“The guys gave me some good looks tonight and I am really starting to get comfortable with the offense out there.”

[illastrate]

I was at the game and here are my evaluations:

Blake Griffin - you could see the rust, but man, was he hustling. When he dove onto the scorers table to save the ball, then got the steal, I was awestruck. He was nice in transition, had 3 dunks, and his interior passing is really slick. The box score doesn't do him justice.

Eric Gordon - EJ was EJ, but you could tell he slimmed down, he seems even faster this season. He's still strong though, as he powered his way past Roy for an And 1 vs Roy, I think. Plus his perimeter D on Roy was nice, as he frustrated him often.

Baron Davis - I gotta say, I was most impressed with him. He looks like a different guy, slim and fit. I didn't even recognize him. He was a ballhawk on defense and was great in transition. He didn't take many stupid shots and had that extra bounce in his step. Looks like this is the closest to the '07 Baron we've seen in awhile.

Al Thornton - Still holds the ball too long and takes those dreaded fadeaways that drives everyone crazy. However, he did have 3 blocks and he's definitely more suited for the uptempo game.

Marcus Camby - MC was being MC, as usual. He had a couple of wide open looks from the top of the key and hit them. The usual hustle.

Rasual Butler - What a great pickup. He does what Dunleavy wants Thornton to do. Spreads the floor well, gets a look of open looks, very good at finishing on the break, plays perimeter D. Just an all smart player. He could really mentor Thornton on how to be more of a complete player.

Sebastian Telfair - He's what Dunleavy wanted Taylor to be. Great in transition, smooth ballhandler, he's a true PG. Had 10 assists including a sick bounce pass to Blake for the jam and a shake and bake spin move and dish to DJ for the slam. Without a doubt the best backup PG we've had in years.

Craig Smith - A workhorse, this guy is big....in a good way. He can bang down low with anyone and has a nose for rebounds. Also has a polished post game. Will be very valuable for us.

Chris Kaman - Had the usual TO's and bricked layups. 3 of his buckets were bailout shots as time expired. He is still frustrating to watch and always will be, but you could see he's healthier than he's been in awhile. His fast break with BG was the fastest I've seen Kaman run in awhile. Although I still don't think he should start, his defense and rebounding are still very useful.

DeAndre Jordan - DJ has improved in many ways. His post moves stand out and he can defend the screen and roll a lot better now.

KEY STAT: 28 fast break points!!!!! Last season it would've taken us 2-3 games to get that amount! We were running and running often, resulting in many easy hoops. My friend and I were floored, we couldn't believe it.

Conclusion: Very impressive game. I like that Dumbleavy wasn't standing up and hollering quite as much. At one point, Dun was sitting down and Hughes was standing up coaching one of the bigs. John Lucas has had a big part in coaching the team as well. It's only one preseason game, but I love our bench, and feel a lot more confident with the 2nd unit playing heavy mins if need be. Let's go!!!!!

[mkwest]

Nice recap Illastrate. I had lost count of the fastbreak points after 19. I'm expecting Dunleavy to be up and shouting again when the season starts, but hopefully he surprises me a little.

Today the guys went down to Camp Pendelton again for an open scrimmage for the troops and their families. Thankfully no one was injured.