Clippers (4-0) @ Warriors (4-0)

[QRich3]

Yea, and I think he's capable of making teams pay by attacking a close-out, hitting shots, cutting, or even creating off those plays. He might not be great, but considering the team has figured out how to still be a top offense with teams sagging off Barnes, they should be fine.

I just have a much higher tolerance for role players who don't attempt shots like they are stars, and even on Indiana, Lance was still only at 11.4 FGA/36 in 13-14, and he deffered to George and West. That's about how many FGA Austin Rivers takes per minute over his career.

Wohl needs to just trade Jamal and tell Doc that it is time to let go.

He does have a team-leading 17% turnover rate though, not far from the 18% he had in Indiana and Charlotte last year. He just does a different brand of hero-ball than Jamal, instead of just chucking up shots he makes impossible crossovers and throws wild passes. Not as damaging as Jamal probably (then again, who is?), but still not very good. But I do agree with most of what you say and am starting to see how he can be useful.

Love the idea of getting James Johnson but I don't see the Raps taking Jamal either. Maybe if things were going a bit worse for them and they thought they missed Lou Williams. But they clearly don't

I don't think Dave Wohl ever takes a sh*t without consulting Doc first. If only we had traded him for Birdman, he's looking pretty good as a back up C in Miami. From what I've seen, I actually think their defense improves a lot when he substitutes Whiteside.

[Quake Griffin]

Getting a real good laugh at ESPN pundits acting like this game was a blow out and we never competed in that game.

just lol.
The Warriors must have just been in a game by themselves.

[BlzMwt]

hey at least jamal hasn't committed a turnover this season yet

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I knew last night's game would be tough, good to see that we made the game close at the end. We had chances to take the lead at the end, but because of missed free throws we didn't get that chance. (I can't even say for sure we would have won since Curry heated up in the final 5 minutes) There's still plenty of season left and other chances to beat the Warriors.

Also we need to do something about Jamal. He is what he is on offense, but just awful on defense. I'll never understand why Doc decides to play him so much.

[Wammy Giveaway]

I hated that we went with Austin in the line up during the stretch. I just don't get what he was trying to do there.

I think Rivers was put in the game specifically to guard Curry. I've yet to do Preventions on this game, but when I get to it, I'll definitely post some findings on my Preventions Twitter account.

I just need to find a good file hosting service and possibly an image hosting service to showcase my stuff. Can anyone give me some recommendations for file hosting and image hosting sites, ones which include free registration (but not necessarily subscription).

[og15]

We've all discussed it before, but here it is again:

If the Clippers can “steal” a few minutes against opposing benches, everything should work out. Sounds fine in theory. In practice several things can go wrong. First, if the timing of the subs is off, the Clips can get stuck with these “throwaway” lineups matched up against opposition starters. This is a no-good, very-bad thing, as the greater the starter-bench mismatch, the larger the scoring margin tends to be. On Wednesday, the number of starters on the floor wasn’t stacked too badly. That is, if Curry only counts for one. After sitting much of the first quarter with two fouls, the reigning MVP got to have a free run at a lineup featuring a backcourt of the younger Rivers and Jamal Crawford. This is not ideal from L.A.’s perspective. And even if this sort of player-role mismatch does not occur, these all-bench lineups might be so weak that even against opposition benches, they tend to get gashed for quick scoring flurries. Certainly, a look at the Clipper’s net scoring margin by game minute suggests something is not right:


The chart below shows the net scoring margin for all NBA teams for the last three minutes of the first quarter and the first three of the 2nd, as well as that margin extrapolated out over a full 48 minutes:

http://nyloncalculus.com/2015/11/05/doc-rivers-death-valley-lineup-imbalances-in-action/

If you click the link and check out the second chart, the Clippers had the largest decline from starting lineup to bench last season, and it might be better but still not so pleasant if the rotations aren't adjusted this season. It's a real problem.

[nickhx2]

what did we do to deserve doc rivers on this franchise

[mattd13]

I have given up on doc as a coach that can take this team to the finals. he has made to many bad decisions over and over. the use of jamal and Austin is jut amazing. his game plan is close games is now so predictable that teams can plan for it. plus not using jj as an option just doesn't make sense. he is shooting 50% and only got up 8 shots. when paul went out they went to him more and it looked good to me. he can also make it easier for others. for him to just stand in the corner and do nothing is a waste. if this decision making doesn't change then we are doomed. come on doc wake up!!!!!

[Neddy]

geek
ɡēk/
nouninformal
1.
an unfashionable or socially inept person.

Bill Simmons is a geek. I know the term geek connotes a guy with glasses who is smart but by definition he is a geek. A weirdo. Just in my eyes. You have an awkward moment on cam with Doc after flapping your gums or start a rumor about the Clippers don't get in front of it, you're a **** geek.

The team played well. Jamal just doesn't give enough offense and gives way too much on defense and on the glass to be on the court. I know it is sounding like a broken record to complain about Jamal, but Doc Rivers' use of him just doesn't make sense.

I've noticed that James Johnson ($2.5 million contract) is no longer getting minutes on the Raptors, he's out of the rotation. Not that they would want Jamal, but that's a guy the Clippers should keep an eye on. If the team gets him, he can be the PF in small ball, get Jamal out and go with: Austin / Johnson / Pierce / Johnson / Smith. At least you'll be able to defend.

Seriously though, the Clippers should see if they can get him.

It's sad how we've all just assumed Jamal is a hindrance we have to carry, the dude who'll get us into a hole we'll just have to manage to compensate. I'm at the point I'm even hoping he gets injured so he doesn't have to be out there. Doc pls

I liked the game and the way we played, the bench showed some heart and the team in general showed a lot of mental toughness. I like that Doc seems to start accepting he has to stagger the starters minutes with the bench guys, and it's working.

I hated that we went with Austin in the line up during the stretch, I just don't get what he was trying to do there. He was having to defend Barnes and on the other end, Iguodala was just double teaming whoever had the ball, making it way too difficult for Paul to get anything going. Then Austin had a free layup because of it, and bricked a wide open 3PT shot, further backing up the notion that they were right to leave him open and playing 5-on-4 defense. Why on earth did we get Paul Pierce if not for that exact moment? even Wes or Lance would have been a good option, I thought Lance was great at attacking when they left him open like that. Furthermore, have a guy out there they can't leave open and you can keep attacking Curry with plays for Redick (he was clowning him all game), or just let the Paul/Griffin P&R be the devastating weapon it always should be.

But anyway, good game and I like the way the bench is shaping up. I'm coming around to Lance a little bit and I really like what Josh, Wes and Pierce do for us. We just need to get rid of Jamal and probably one of Austin/Lance, and this team would be a lot more rounded.

Remember when I said I wasn't so worried about Stephenson affecting the offense? The reason is that unlike a guy like Jamal, he's not going to shoot you out of games or overuse possessions.

one thing I've loved/hated about Lance being here early on is that you can see he's a little shy about jacking up shots. He seems like he has a real interest meshing with our teammates. I've been to 2 games and he's the guy on the bench standing up, being vocal, waving his towel etc. etc. even if others are sitting.

That said, I'm waiting for that guy to get comfortable in a Clipper uniform and not have to think about where he fits. I would have liked to see him in last night when it counted….particularly because he had hit 2 spot up 3 pointers last night and because I think he's alright as a defender.

good post, and just to add to your already defined term of "GEEK", it first was assigned to guys who's job was being the guy in circus who chased after a live chicken in a cage and once the chicken was caught, to eat that live chicken from its feathers to its bones for the amusement of the crowd watching. that's where the term GEEK originates from and how the dictionary definition of non-confirmal or socially inept description was born out of.

[old rem]

aww **** what Bill the snake Simmons have to say. this was a great loss.

why or how you ask?

the Worriers are playing their very best basketball right now. we are still trying to figure out how all the pieces fit, and yet we nearly won this game at their home court. it is great that we didn't win despite our shortcomings which would have made it harder to correct our weaknesses. this win gives false confidence to the northern cal team despite their own shortcomings which will be hard to see as they won the game so early in the season.

more than anything, this solidifies the truth that we were this close despite Doc's inclination to play his own son in place of Paul Pierce at the end of games. I fully expect to overcome this game and win the season series against the couriers

GSW got no breaks on close calls, missed shots they usually hit and barely got the W. The Clips.. look better on D than I expected. Whatever. for now..a win for GSW. Next time? who knows. Better to lose close than lose by 50. I thought B Griffin upped his overall game. I did not expect it to be that close.

[og15]

aww **** what Bill the snake Simmons have to say. this was a great loss.

why or how you ask?

the Worriers are playing their very best basketball right now. we are still trying to figure out how all the pieces fit, and yet we nearly won this game at their home court. it is great that we didn't win despite our shortcomings which would have made it harder to correct our weaknesses. this win gives false confidence to the northern cal team despite their own shortcomings which will be hard to see as they won the game so early in the season.

more than anything, this solidifies the truth that we were this close despite Doc's inclination to play his own son in place of Paul Pierce at the end of games. I fully expect to overcome this game and win the season series against the couriers

GSW got no breaks on close calls, missed shots they usually hit and barely got the W. The Clips.. look better on D than I expected. Whatever. for now..a win for GSW. Next time? who knows. Better to lose close than lose by 50. I thought B Griffin upped his overall game. I did not expect it to be that close.

Careful there

Let's hope the defense continues to improve and is much better than last season. Certainly have options now

[nickhx2]

neither did most clip fans i think lol. for it to be like that when it's a team playing crawford heavy minutes is rather incredible.

[og15]

I have given up on doc as a coach that can take this team to the finals. he has made to many bad decisions over and over. the use of jamal and Austin is jut amazing. his game plan is close games is now so predictable that teams can plan for it. plus not using jj as an option just doesn't make sense. he is shooting 50% and only got up 8 shots. when paul went out they went to him more and it looked good to me. he can also make it easier for others. for him to just stand in the corner and do nothing is a waste. if this decision making doesn't change then we are doomed. come on doc wake up!!!!!

He's certainly made mistakes, as all coaches do, but I do think he's a coach that can take this team to the finals, he just needs the check and balance of a GM he has no control over. This GM would then be able to adjust the roster to essentially save Doc from himself.

The possible positive values that Jamal can bring are overshadowed by his lack of defense and rebounding help as well as the fact that as he ages, he's no longer showing himself to be effective as an isolation shot creator.

Doc just needs someone to force his hand because seemingly he isn't able to actually reduce Jamal's minutes on his own.

[Wammy Giveaway]

He's certainly made mistakes, as all coaches do, but I do think he's a coach that can take this team to the finals, he just needs the check and balance of a GM he has no control over. This GM would then be able to adjust the roster to essentially save Doc from himself.

Doc just needs someone to force his hand because seemingly he isn't able to actually reduce Jamal's minutes on his own.

I don't know if he's really capable of recognizing his faults. It would probably take one of these two things to force the Clippers to assign a GM:

1. Getting ejected from a game
2. A third 2nd round exit in the playoffs

The latter is more likely than the former. For the most part, Doc has never lost 3 in a row. In his first year with the Clippers, he avoided a 3-game losing streak. Last year, he finally had one to the point of a 3-1 collapse (after winning Game 4, he lost 5 through 7). What Doc doesn't want is losing three consecutive 2nd round exits. Reuniting with Paul Pierce is evidence of Doc's desperation to avoid a third 2nd round exit at all costs. Because if he gets it again, something bad will happen.

For example, when he was coach of the Orlando Magic, he had three consecutive 1st round exits, the latter his first 3-1 collapse. What happened after that? He was fired.