Game 29: Oklahoma City (18-9) @ Los Angeles (16-12)

[Neddy]

**** Halle Berry is the **** as a catwoman. I still jizz over her "poster" lol

Really? I'm a little surprised. I know we're talking strictly still image and not movie performance, but Anne Hathaway's version appeals to me more despite showing less skin compared to Berry. I guess her rendition of the feline femme fatale carries over to the image of the character.

I dunno man, maybe it's the age thing. Ann always looked too young for me. doesn't mean she doesn't look good, I liked her in Interstellar but I am also a scifi geek.

[Wammy Giveaway]

From Chris Escarra, the Arye Abraham for the Clippers:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ChrisEscarra/status/679182117369171969[/tweet]

And a hint by Eric Pincus:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679181669438369793[/tweet]

[Quake Griffin]

Whoa we're moving on from Josh Smith?

We srs?

[Roscoe Sheed]

hey, what'd i say about the refs? they always call our games badly against okc.

The Clippers get the short end of the stick period with the refs. I guess it has to do with their reputation even though plenty of other teams complain as well. If it were the other way around and Westbrook stole the ball from CP3 you know Westbrook would get the and 1. Also, Westbrook probably would have gotten a foul on the last shot that CP3 took- remember game 5 in 2014? They gave him 3 free throws on a similar play.

It is hard not to give up hope with this team. It seems like most times that they have a chance to break through they come up short. The tremendous negativity around the city is also disheartening. Most Angelinos despise this team and claim you aren’t a real Angelino if you like this team. If they don’t cheer for the Lakers, they cheer for some other superstar laden team (OKC, GSW, etc.). I sometimes think they would be better off moving back to San Diego. At least I could make a trip down there once in a while and still see them play live. Maybe they’d actually have some more fans. It is really disheartening situation.

I know it is just basketball, but I love this sport and this team and I usually end up feeling disappointed. Sometimes I think my life would be better if basketball were never invented! I waste way too much time and energy on this stupid sport!

[Ranma]

Clippers are now 0-6 against the top 3 seeded teams in each conference. 0-4 against Warriors, Spurs and Thunder combined.

Also, another Chris Paul Sudden Death Shot denied by a Durant Shot Block.

Ranma, did I ever show you the thread about how Chris Paul always falters in the clutch? Is there any truth to this?

(Said thread is this one: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1415298 )

This is becoming more of a valid question to ask given tonight and his performance against the Thunder in the playoffs. However, it doesn't really seem fair at all to blame Chris Paul for tonight's loss. CP3 showed up and led this team while Griffin was MIA. He even came up with a big steal and finish towards the end of the contest.

While Durant is known primarily for his offensive game, he's apparently been stepping up defensively this season and was making plays throughout the game. I'm not sure you can hang that on Paul even though passing to Blake may have been an option. Still, with Blake's struggles tonight, Chris probably felt the team had a better chance with him going for the final play. I'm pretty sure most of us would have agreed with that sentiment. The bottom line is that without Paul, the Clips would have been a total no-show tonight.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jadande/status/679170706337214464[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/jadande/status/679177556461928448[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679185876786806785[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679185060575088641[/tweet]

[Ranma]

From Chris Escarra, the Arye Abraham for the Clippers:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ChrisEscarra/status/679182117369171969[/tweet]

And a hint by Eric Pincus:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679181669438369793[/tweet]

Whoa we're moving on from Josh Smith?

We srs?

why isn't josh smith playing with aldrich? i think the guy really needs minutes at PF to maximize what he's capable of

I agree. I don't get why Doc always does it half assed.

Is this the same guy that used to be "ChrisClipsLA" (or whatever) on Twitter? Whatever the case may be, I don't think the Clips will actually waive Josh Smith or at least Doc won't do it any time soon. Who else would he have to replace him? Unless Doc has a trade (heaven forbid) or something else lined up, I don't see Smith going anywhere at the moment.

With regards to Doc saying that he's going in another direction, I'm pretty sure he's only referring to the backup center situation, although I agree with nick in that Smith should have more of a shot at power forward. Having said that, I kind of agree with Doc in his handling of Smith right now. Smoove Criminal has been too perimeter-happy and insolent with the coaching staff, particularly to Doc and Woodson. This sends him a message that the team is prepared to play without his contributions.

Given his history in Atlanta and Detroit, I doubt Smith will get the message. At this point in his career and life, this old leopard won't change his spots. Smith needs to play inside more by working to get position in the post and drive to the hoop instead of being the spot-up shooter out on the periphery. Relegating him to the 3rd string backup center role leaves open the possibility of playing him while indicating that he won't get regular minutes. Plus, it underscores what is expected of him whenever he does get playing time since a center is supposed to primarily operate in the post rather than outside of the lane.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679183855320862720[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679181242005254144[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679186399866720256[/tweet]

[nickhx2]

not playing smith at PF would be one of the many monuments to doc's stupidity, and releasing him would probably quadruple the size of that one.

[That_Guy_Fresh]

Smith has been solid this season despite playing out of position and has ALWAYS been a guy who shoots threes except for that one year in 2010. Smith istrying to play like he did in houston which is either shoot a 3 or drive. Still don't change the fact the Doc Rivers didn't use him right.

I doubt Doc Rivers keeps Smith all the way up til the trade deadline. I think he gets released or traded soon. "We're going in a different direction" means "Your services or no longer needed". The SAME THING was said to him when Detroit decided to waive him last year.

I think the Kings, Mavericks or Rockets pick him up. I think the Kings will get him.

[Ranma]

It's also interesting to note that patience is wearing thin for both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Chris, like the rest of us, expected more progress than what Doc has delivered thus far. Griffin has complained about the lack of togetherness and just cited the previously unused Aldrich as a prime example of a role player excelling as a fit within the team instead of the hero-ball wonders that Doc typically prefers.

[mattd13]

have to agree with roscoe somewhat. I too am getting tired of this kind of game and the general state of the team and the nba in general. I am not giving up yet but when you get jj into the 4th with only 2 minutes left and he gets one shot, you have to question what doc is doing. the refs also had a big hand in this game with the no calls on 2 jj shots. that was a possible 6 point turn around. someone please tell me why jamal is playing. I believe everyone can see he is not helping. one positive from the game was cole. I was not aware he could play that well. going forward I really like that change. I hope he makes it work. merry xmas everyone.

[DLaren]

It's also interesting to note that patience is wearing thin for both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Chris, like the rest of us, expected more progress than what Doc has delivered thus far. Griffin has complained about the lack of togetherness and just cited the previously unused Aldrich as a prime example of a role player excelling as a fit within the team instead of the hero-ball wonders that Doc typically prefers.

I didn't sense any animosity towards Doc from any of the quotes from CP3 or Blake -- the players seem to be holding themselves accountable, and that's the only reason I haven't given-up on this team.

If at any point the players start to blame the guy sitting on the bench wearing the suit, it'll be time for me to move on...

[nickhx2]

sorry, but your coach god is just a myth. he deserves every bit of blame for his screw ups, just as the players do.

[madmaxmedia]

We have become the gutty little Clippers, winning moral victories for sticking close to the good teams in the West.

[LACtdom]

Doc is a genius!! Who would have thought that putting Cole in to help us rebound would help?!

Mike gave Doc kudos for playing Aldrich while Ralph was saying he didn't expect much of anything from him. Come on, Milph! Everyone on this board knew that he would provide an honest, blue-collar effort with his shot-blocking and rebounding even as an undersized center. And it's not like the Aldrich decision is an isolated incident either. Remember the delay it took for Wesley Johnson to start getting some significant playing time to start the season?

I think a lot of us had our doubts about the skill level of Cole but honestly, when he is your ONLY true 5 off the bench then you at least try to see what he can provide instead of writing him off straight away and having a permanent small ball lineup.

[TucsonClip]

Aldrich has played well in limited minutes the past few years. He definitely deserves some run as the backup C.

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679417680441376768[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679417271429689344[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679417373489676292[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679417492461109249[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679417967352799232[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/EricPincus/status/679418075746144256[/tweet]

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/basketballtalk/status/679457217431535616[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/dljordannews/status/679469486366298112[/tweet]

[nickhx2]

k that really pisses me off about the screen/shot.

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679742092881432576[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679742254286680064[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679743087669723136[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679740036812673024[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679744883767132160[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679746731978821632[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/679748241450115073[/tweet]

[nickhx2]

a coach doesn't need to explain every single thing but i'm glad that doc shed light on why smith didn't play. that said, doc absolutely needs to find a way to play smith and aldrich together. our 2nd unit rim protection will be much stronger.