Game 1: Battle of Los Angeles Part I

[mkwest]

92-99 is the final. This was a game that we could have won if we played smarter. We were banged up and probably still a little shell shocked, but that's still not really an excuse. We turned the ball over far too much, too poor shots, and made silly fouls (although some calls sucked). Kaman and EJ played very well for us, and Smith provided some productive minutes off the bench. Baron had 2 poor turnovers, but he mainly hurt the team with his shot attempts. 1-10 from the field? Ouch. Dunleavy needs to consider limiting his minutes if he's going to be struggling. Some players can play injured and you say "well we are better with this player at 75% than we are without him". You can't clearly say that about Baron. I'm hoping for a better collective effort tomorrow night.

[mj_shoefanatic]

barren back to his bum self with that bum look

[donemilio21]

I dont unterstand why we gave up when there was still 1.50 on the clock. With gordon and butler we could've hit some 3s and faul laker players.
Dunleavy didn't even try!

[loflin3hree5ive]

Baron looked awful for whatever reason.
Gordon looked great. Needs killer instinct.
Thornton needs to hang out around the rim more.
Camby was rock solid.
Kaman is scared of Bynum. Solid nonetheless.
Rhino played great, Phil was ready for him in the 4th quarter.
Telfair as good as you can ask for.
Butler was scared to shoot, lacking confidence.
Ricky a step slow, contributes nothing.
DeAndre looked a little lost tonight, game slipped away after goaltend.

[Purpose]

EJ has been too unselfish tonight. Too many dish outs to Camby and Telfair at perimeter. When he steps up is when the Clippers will take off.

Thats why he is so efficient, he picks his spots. I rather have him play within himself.

I would agree if he were dishing it out to Rasual/Novak/Baron. But Telfair? Camby sometimes, but I personally would like to see Gordon make the quick decision to put one up rather than dish to a low percentage shooter 22 feet away from the basket.

I can't argue with that, but I never said anything about dishing it out to anyone. EJ is a very suspect playmaker/PG with his iffy ballhandling.

EJ is at his best on the break and early in the shot clock, so I do agree in that aspect. I do want to see him attack to the rim more(which he was doing in this game). EJ has been quoted saying he wants to live at the line this season.

GIve Bassy some credit he is streaky at best, but he can bury that midrange shot(Baron was ugly from the field).


Good showing by the clips. We out rebounded the lake show 51 to 47, out shot them 39-87(44.8%)to 35-85(41%), shared the ball more with 27 assist compared to there 17. The only huge disparity was at the line where the CHAMPS were 25-37 I think we can blame the refs on that one(they may be rusty)

LO/Artest is too much for Saul/Thorn/smith to handle, this is where blake would've been a difference maker, matching up with them on D.

[clipperfan4life]

I felt that our 2nd unit was the reason that kept us in the game in the 2nd quarter. Baron Davis hopefully he'll heal up soon. Does anyone know if his foot is that bad? Bruised or Sore? Didn't like how he made crazy shots at times. Rhino, telfair, gordon, and kaman were the most fun to watch. Let's see how tomorrow's game will go. I have a feeling it will be a really high scoring game.

GO CLIPS!

[mj_shoefanatic]

losing to the champs by only 7 has to motivate our team to come out even more aggressive vs PHX tomorrow night ftw!!

btw I'll be @ the game sitting up in PR section

[PlinkingPanda]

losing to the champs by only 7 has to motivate our team to come out even more aggressive vs PHX tomorrow night ftw!!

btw I'll be @ the game sitting up in PR section

Nice, have fun. I'll be able to catch all of the game online so I won't miss the first half like tonight. :B

[ClipperDomination]

This game still had the feeling of a preseason game, where both teams were not ready to play tonight. Lots of sloppiness on both ends.

Tomorrows game will be crucial for the Clipps. They play a lower-end playoff contending team, and if they can convincingly show they can beat the Suns, they may end up around .500 come end of season.

[mj_shoefanatic]

we need to shoot for higher than .500 with all this talent.

[mattfish]

A lot of bad shots, but a decent game. EJ looks really explosive now, I can't wait to see him break more defenders' ankles this season. BD looked hesitant. Kaman overwhelmed. DJ was lost. Thornton hustling, but missing shots. I'm really liking Rhino, expect his free-throw shooting. Like others said, seemed like this was a warm-up game, hopefully they play better tomorrow! I can't wait to get my Blake Griffin T-Shirt Jersey!

[playaloc916]

Overall, I'm satisfied with what I saw. Obviously there is still a lot of room for improvement, and Baron had a terrible shooting night, but to hang in there with the Champs, and the fact that Kobe had a good game, means something.

I liked what I saw from Kaman tonight. He was really active on the boards, and was able to hit a few open jumpers. Craig had a great game too. The second unit had a good game tonight.

I think tomorrow's game will say a lot about how the Clippers will do this season. We'll potentially be fighting for a playoff spot with the Suns, so this game is really important. Even with Blake's injury, we need to start the season with a good record. We can't afford to play catchup in the West.

[PlinkingPanda]

Overall, I'm satisfied with what I saw. Obviously there is still a lot of room for improvement, and Baron had a terrible shooting night, but to hang in there with the Champs, and the fact that Kobe had a good game, means something.

I liked what I saw from Kaman tonight. He was really active on the boards, and was able to hit a few open jumpers. Craig had a great game too. The second unit had a good game tonight.

I think tomorrow's game will say a lot about how the Clippers will do this season. We'll potentially be fighting for a playoff spot with the Suns, so this game is really important. Even with Blake's injury, we need to start the season with a good record. We can't afford to play catchup in the West.

The next two games will be tough. I believe we play Utah after Phoenix, and we all know how well we play against Utah. After that it's Dallas which isn't as bad, then comes November with the easy schedule.

We just need players to step up. DJ and Rasual had no effect on the game at all yesterday. Baron needs to heal that foot injury.. He shouldn't have even played in that last preseason game. Al needs to smarten up on shot selection.

[Forte IV]

Baron played horrible. If he played good, he would have def won that game.

[Det the Threat]

Ehh.....Baron going 1 for 10 from the field.....i really hope that's just his foot bothering him, cause i don't want to watch another 35% FG season of him...

On the other hand, we didn't get blown out against them like last season, EJ looks really good and we might have a bench worth using this season.

Let's bring on the Suns!

[illastrate]

Not just Baron, but guys were missing open shots. Rhino should've gotten more minutes. As bad as we played, that game was ours for the taking, but once again a 4th qtr meltdown.