Training Camp/Preseason Thread

[QRich3]

He was visibly bad on defense last year, particularly when he played the 4. If you want to put a number to it, last playoffs, the Wizards allowed 101.3 points-per-100-possessions when he was on the court, only 93.9 when he was on the bench. And guys shot 6% better when he was defending them compared to when other guys were. He was awesome offensively, and hit some timely shots, but his defense left much to be desired. Which you know, it's ok cause he's 38 and can't move like he used to.

thanks for clearing that up, obviously not desirable but not unexpected lol

btw where do you find information for that? on-off splits and lineup data?

http://stats.nba.com/ has some very cool features, you can get a lot of useful information once you get the gist of how to search for things. For the On/Off splits you can go to each team and it will let you sort by date, playoffs/RS, and other kind of splits, as well as for type of stat. The Wizards numbers are here: http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612764/onoffcourt/advanced/?Season=2014-15&SeasonType=Playoffs

For the % of shots defended, you go to each player's page and there's the "tracking" option that shows you several stats tracked with the SportVU cameras, and you'll find the defensive stats there. Pierce's are here: http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/1718/tracking/defense/?Season=2014-15&SeasonType=Playoffs

There's a few more cool options, like searching for play type, so you can see how players do in specific plays like posting up or defensing post ups, pick'n'rolls, etc. There you can also see Pierce did pretty bad at defending in isolation, on the pick and roll, but he did decently on post-ups and spot-up shots. This is the data that used to be on Synergy Sports.

[BlzMwt]

http://stats.nba.com/ has some very cool features, you can get a lot of useful information once you get the gist of how to search for things. For the On/Off splits you can go to each team and it will let you sort by date, playoffs/RS, and other kind of splits, as well as for type of stat.

thanks man, i really appreciate that

i knew NBA.com had redone their stats section but i didnt realize it was this deep

[mkwest]

Hmmm...This is some of the same footage that was in yesterday's scrimmage video. The 8 minute scrimmage video is on the previous page.

Watch the Clippers scrimmage at training camp in Irvine

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h69kPpRT_Hc[/youtube]

The Clippers are overloaded with ball handlers entering the 2015-16 season. Paul, an eight-time All-Star, said he's looking forward to playing alongside the new slew of guards, and perhaps even getting a chance to play off the ball for the first time in his career.

"I never really had that all these years," Paul said. "I tell Doc all the time, I feel like sometimes I'm dribbling the air out of the ball, so to have the opportunity to get the ball out of my hands and move around is going to be a lot of fun."

Paul said he's really impressed with Rivers, who stayed with him for a week over the summer at his home in Winston, North Carolina, to do workouts. Paul added that Stephenson has "been amazing." And he said that Pablo Prigioni is a pest on defense, and a guy who can make big shots, calling him "just a guy we really need."

Melissa Rohlin, LA Times

Austin Rivers Called on Cassell for Mid-Range Game

With a master of the art on the coaching staff, it only made sense to get in touch with assistant coach Sam Cassell, who flew out to Orlando and put Rivers to work.

“I’m talking about non-stop,” Rivers said. “Instead of working on everything, we worked on the things I wasn’t good at or the things that could take me to the next level, and that was the mid-range jump shot.”

With Cassell and assistant coach for player development J.P. Clark by his side, Rivers lifted, got stronger and worked almost exclusively on the mid-range game. That’s how Rivers spent his summer, and upon returning to Los Angeles, the same work continued.

“To his credit, he gave me all he got this whole summer,” Cassell said. “That’s just one of my guys. Doc (Rivers) sked me before we made the trade for Austin, like, ‘You can work with him, right?’ I was like, ‘My pleasure.’ One thing he needed is something I mastered when I played, a 15-foot jump shot with confidence.”

He’s making the game simpler, and Cassell can see the results.

“The day we got him to where he is now is like night and day,” Cassell said. “He doesn’t mind coming off and taking that 15-foot jump shot, because he has the confidence he can make it. It’s all the set-up. It’s all the speed into the shot.”

Rowan Kavner, [url]Clippers.com[/url]

Camp Day 4: Rookie Diary, Injury Update, Forward News

What’s it been like out there?

Dawson: “It’s been great just being out here with these guys, just learning from the best. This is something that I’ve always wanted. It kind of goes back to when I was a freshman in college, just coming in and learning a lot of different things, learning from different guys. The first couple days of practice, I’m having fun playing with different guys.”

What’s stood out to you?

Dawson: “Just the pace of the game. It’s fast, but sometimes you have to just slow yourself down a little bit. Like sometimes on TV, it doesn’t look like the game is fast, but it’s a lot faster than college. Just coming in and keeping the pace, knowing where you’re supposed to be on the floor and knowing defensive assignments.”

On Tuesday, Wesley Johnson went back with the starters to get work at his normal position at small forward. Rivers hasn’t divulged whether Johnson or Paul Pierce will end up starting at small forward, and he said it could end up changing from night to night.

“We’re versatile enough to be able to do that,” Rivers said. “With matchups, Paul’s age, a lot of things. You can look at a lot of things.”

Rowan Kavner, Clippers.com

Clippers' Wes Johnson happy to get L.A. makeover

“I would be trying to play the flow of the game, but it was hard to get into the flow. You don’t know what’s going on,” Johnson said about the Lakers’ offense last season. “You want to come out there and touch the ball and sometimes it would go in spurts, but then you don’t even get to touch it. You want to play off people but it’s tough when you don’t get the ball.

“Here, you have a clear mind going into the season (of what’s expected), so it’s going to be really helpful for me,” Johnson said. “I know what to do and what to expect.”

“When you’re on a good team and a role player, you’re a better player,” Rivers said. “You play better. You kind of get your role better. When you’re on a bad team, usually no one actually knows their role and everyone is fighting each other to be the man.

“It’s going to be playing off each other,” Johnson said. “The main thing is pushing each other, not battling for the spot but pushing each other. That’s going to be our goal.”

Janis Carr, OC Register

LAC’s Jamal Crawford about Training Camp: ‘Every day, every drill is competitive’



On what turned out to be the final day of Training Camp for the Los Angeles Clippers, guard Jamal Crawford talked with Fred Roggin at the end of the day.

In the conversation, Jamal explains why Doc ended Training Camp early; how this was the most competitive Training Camp he’s ever been part of; how the first and second groups worked out; how he feels about the new players and their impact on his minutes; and more. Here, Jamal explains the guys’ attitude.

Jamal Crawford on the Fred Roggin Show

[mkwest]

Camp Wrap-Up With Ralph Lawler

Is this the most optimistic you’ve been about a team since you’ve watched the Clippers?

RL: “This is extraordinary. The last three years, it’s been pretty optimistic when we came to camp each year. But it’s just different this year. There’s a level of maturity, a level of focus, professionalism, determination that they’re here to win a championship. It’s been a really exciting week.”

Apart from the improved second unit, what’s stood out to you most?

RL: “I think Lance Stephenson’s going to be an absolute monster. What he’s going to do to other team’s second units is almost unfair. He dominates. He makes so many great decision, he’s so athletic, he’s been shooting the ball well as well. If that happens, Katie, bar the door. He is special, and they’ve got the three ball-handlers playing together. Some people thought that might be a problem, but it really winds up being a strength, because how do you defend that group? Lance may initiate the offense, Austin Rivers might do it, it may be Jamal Crawford, and all three of them can make plays for themselves and other people. I think we’re on the brink of something really special.”

Rowan Kavner, Clippers.com

Changes to instant replay...
[tweet]https://twitter.com/AdiJoseph/status/649328562789588992[/tweet]

Tom Thibodeau Attempting To Treat 15-16 Like Sabbatical

Tom Thibodeau is attempting to remain unplugged as much as possible from the world of basketball following his dismissal as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

"I really want to treat this year like a sabbatical," said Thibodeau.

For the first time since 1991, Thibodeau is unemployed and he's a notorious workaholic.

Thibodeau continues to live in Chicago, liking the restaurants and the proximity of the location to the rest of the country.

Thibodeau is also visiting NBA camps with Charlotte last weekend, San Antonio this week and then a stretch with the Clippers.

"You learn from everything you go through," Thibodeau says, "and you want to put that experience to use."

Steve Aschburner, NBA.com via RealGM

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUN_jkUDyY[/youtube]

[madmaxmedia]

Surprisingly, I don't hate that white uni. As a logo, it still seems very generic and 'EA Sports' to me. But the uni itself looks more unique compared to the rest of the league.


I hope Ralph is right about Lance. I talk him up more than anyone here.

[og15]

DJ's accuracy shooting from like 5-10 feet, lol, was he even over 50%? Still shooting with the wrist flick, seems like he short arms his release a lot with all those front rims, ah well...

I feel like DJ might be a better shooter with his right hand, but that shot is not really about getting more reps in, he needs to correct some pretty little things that could actually make a big difference from what I've seen with other people, but it is what it is.

[nickhx2]

yeah i think dj might be better off as a right hander. he looked just as awful as before to start in that clip, btw. but once he settled down some he looked ok. i think for him it's a matter of patiently setting up his shot.

[mkwest]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n28Ju3g8U80[/youtube]

[LACtdom]

I'm so happy with Josh Smith. If he puts in the effort we will reap some serious rewards.

[nickhx2]

i don't think effort has ever been his problem. it's usually always been about never having a coach who could utilize him properly.

[og15]

Well outside of the coaching, Smith's on court IQ offensively has left a lot to be desired. His shot selection and decision making hasn't really been very good through his career.

There was that one year where Woodson didn't let him shoot three's, it didn't last past that one season, but he shot 50.5% FG that year and attempted a career high 55.5% of his FGA inside 3 feet. Compare that to an average of 29.4% of his FGA inside 3 feet since that season. The thing is that Josh didn't want to be limited to that, but realistically, that's the best way for him to play.

[og15]

yeah i think dj might be better off as a right hander. he looked just as awful as before to start in that clip, btw. but once he settled down some he looked ok. i think for him it's a matter of patiently setting up his shot.

I think he got a little streak going, but being a good (for him better) FT shooter is about your whole percentage, and being able to step up without any streak of shots and make FT's, and from that, looks like he's still going to be in the 40's as a FT shooter.

I was hoping for him to at least break 50%, but I'll hope to be pleasantly surprised, but expect him to still be awful

[nickhx2]

Well outside of the coaching, Smith's on court IQ offensively has left a lot to be desired. His shot selection and decision making hasn't really been very good through his career.

There was that one year where Woodson didn't let him shoot three's, it didn't last past that one season, but he shot 50.5% FG that year and attempted a career high 55.5% of his FGA inside 3 feet. Compare that to an average of 29.4% of his FGA inside 3 feet since that season. The thing is that Josh didn't want to be limited to that, but realistically, that's the best way for him to play.

yeah that's what i mean about not having a coach utilizing him correctly. i remember that specific year you're talking about and i always knew he just needed the right discipline.

unfortunately i don't get the feeling doc will keep him in line. but i suspect at least he'll probably put smith in better spots to do less dumb things.

[LoneyROY]

Is it me or this new court fugly?

That block of red and blue is not appealing.

[Neddy]

Is it me or this new court fugly?

That block of red and blue is not appealing.

I dunno if I hate it, but i sure don't love it.

[Quake Griffin]

Love the new court.
New home jerseys are just fine as well.


if you don't like either, fine. The "ugly" talk is forced though.
but the red roads are ugly. no debating there.

[Watchlist]

Well based on the video, it looks like Paul pierce might be coming off the bench with the 2nd unit
Hope wesley johnson does not start.
Blake jump shot looks much improved as well


[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVPygIlFMXg[/youtube]

[BlzMwt]

Love the new court.
New home jerseys are just fine as well.

I think the new court is good, nothing spectacular though.

Kind of jealous of the bucks alternate jerseys and alternate court they announced though.



http://www.nba.com/bucks/FearTheDeer

Probably going to see an influx of new "alternate" courts. Be interesting to see if the clippers get one.

[nickhx2]

yeah love the bucks designs.