Post#19 » by mkwest » Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:34 am
106-74 Clippers win.
I was listening to the game on the radio when it first started and was playing catch up on the DVR until half-time. BG's ankle issue was pretty scary after dealing with the knee earlier in the week. My initial thought was that he shouldn't have even played in this game. However, he returned and knocked down a few jumpers. He looked solid overall and didn't appear to be hindered by either injury once he returned.
DJ once again shined in the minutes that he played. 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocks in 21 minutes. I liked that he missed his first free-throw attempt, but made his next 2. His stroke looks much more fluid and comfortable. The key is to not let the misses get to you and to stick to the script.
Mullens looked really bad in game 1. 2 for 10 and 1 for 7 from deep. Tonight, he was 5 for 10 overall and 3 for 7 from deep. He hesitated at times, but his shot looked much more on target tonight. Even the misses were not that bad with some being in and out or a hair to long, but not totally off course. Defensively, you can immediately see the difference between when DJ is manning the middle and when Mullens is in, but he did make some plays on the defensive side of the ball tonight. Throughout his career, he's been feast or famine, his goal needs to be trying to be a little more consistent and a little more (maybe a lot more) efficient.
It was also good to see Dudley and Crawford put the ball in the hole tonight. I don't know what the future holds for Crawford as a Clipper, but it's clear that he's still trying to find his way. He's being asked to make adjustments that he's never made up to this point. At his age, it's kind of hard to change his ways. I hope that he finds a groove where he can fit at some point sooner rather than later, but I could see him being moved if it doesn't work. His contract is great and he does have value throughout the league.
Willie aka Mr. "if you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready" fits so well with the starters. It almost sucks that he's a 3rd stringer. If Crawford is moved at some point, I would start Willie if I were Doc. Redick is used to the reserve role and has no qualms about coming off the bench.