WCQF | (4) LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz (5) | UTA 3-2

[Zombiesonics]

The real question is why Dante Exum played exactly zero minutes in game 1.

He's still pretty bad and I think that'll just be intensified for the playoffs

I have a hard time believing Mack is better than exum.


Regarding gobert injury : http://instreetclothes.com/2017/04/16/understanding-rudy-goberts-knee-injury-associated-uncertainty/

[mudsak]

It's interesting to read through this thread... Everyone here seems to be jumping on the Clipper-Hate-Bus...talking about how the Clippers are chokers, etc...

How about this... The Jazz are really a good team, and they played a phenomenal game with a ton of heart despite loosing their best player in the first 20 seconds of the game. Did anyone here even watch the game? I believe the biggest lead at any given time was 7 points. That's not choking... that's just a good game. The Jazz's offensive ball movement was a thing of beauty through most of the game, and the Clippers couldn't stop them. The Jazz simply played an amazing game. They endured CP3's take-over in the 4th, and Iso Joe sealed it at the buzzer. It was a tight game from start to finish.

It's going to be a shame if Gobert is out for the duration of this series... Favors really stepped up, but he looks like he's struggling to he point that I wouldn't be surprised if he couldn't play in any more games this year.

That may be...but after years of watching the Clippers do the opposite of what you expect in the playoffs, people are going to focus on them losing rather than the Jazz winning. We should just expect it...which some do.

Given all the talk about the Clippers playoff struggles, them having the best player in the series, and having home court....them losing will definitely be the focus.

Fair enough. It's just interesting that so many people focus everything on how the Clippers are blowing it... when the Jazz played such a great game of basketball. Their ball movement was unreal... they looked almost Spurs-esque on various possessions. I just think the Jazz deserve a little more credit for the win rather than "the clippers just choked". The Clippers got beat by a team that earned that win... period.

On the flip side of the conversation... I guess the narrative for the unraveling Clippers is something noting. If I was going to sum up how this series looked in game one, I'd have to say that the Jazz looked liked a team comfortable with adversity. The Clippers do not.

That said... I expect the Clippers to come out with some serious fire in game 2. They have to play like it's all on the line. If they let the Jazz out play them in Game 2, then this series is as good as finished. Utah has one of the loudest, and most hostile home court crowds in the NBA...it's not going to be an easy place to take games.

[mudsak]

The real question is why Dante Exum played exactly zero minutes in game 1.

He's still pretty bad and I think that'll just be intensified for the playoffs

I have a hard time believing Mack is better than exum.


Regarding gobert injury : http://instreetclothes.com/2017/04/16/understanding-rudy-goberts-knee-injury-associated-uncertainty/

This is an argument that Jazz fans have been having all season long....should we play Mack, or Exum. Many have completely given up on Exum. I think he's got plenty of potential, and development ahead of him.

I'm at a point that I think Exum's potential is worth giving him the playing time needed to improve. Exum is super young, and still makes a LOT of in-game mistakes. However...he does continue to improve, and he has shown flashes of amazing ability. Every game he gets minutes he makes at least one or two plays that surprise everyone watching. He's extremely athletic, and FAST. Between the two players I just struggle to understand why Mack is getting the nod to play instead of Exum. The only reason can be consistency, but Mack is basically consistently sub-par. Exum is a better defender, and adds an element of speed/ability to get to the rim that can open things up for other players. Mack is not a good defender at all, and often times the offense just grinds to a halt when he's on the court. He's a semi-dependable backup, but I think Exum offers more possibilities on the court. I cringe every time I see Mack take a 3... I feel like it's such a wasted possession.

I'd like to see more of Exum. I'd also REALLY like to see Bolomboy get some minutes. That dude is a freak athlete...stretch 4. They should have been working him into the rotation all year with all the time Favors was out.

[mudsak]

It's interesting to read through this thread... Everyone here seems to be jumping on the Clipper-Hate-Bus...talking about how the Clippers are chokers, etc...

How about this... The Jazz are really a good team, and they played a phenomenal game with a ton of heart despite loosing their best player in the first 20 seconds of the game. Did anyone here even watch the game? I believe the biggest lead at any given time was 7 points. That's not choking... that's just a good game. The Jazz's offensive ball movement was a thing of beauty through most of the game, and the Clippers couldn't stop them. The Jazz simply played an amazing game. They endured CP3's take-over in the 4th, and Iso Joe sealed it at the buzzer. It was a tight game from start to finish.

It's going to be a shame if Gobert is out for the duration of this series... Favors really stepped up, but he looks like he's struggling to he point that I wouldn't be surprised if he couldn't play in any more games this year.

They will have to amputate his leg for Derrick Favors not to play in the playoffs. He is old school tough.

Let's hope so. He looked like he was seriously struggling. He LITERALLY can't jump. He's moving slow, he just looks like an old man out there. Go look at some highlights of Favors from the last couple of season... Dude is a hyper athletic beast! Sad to see him struggle like this.

[Jazzy13]

The real question is why Dante Exum played exactly zero minutes in game 1.

He's still pretty bad and I think that'll just be intensified for the playoffs

I have a hard time believing Mack is better than exum.


Regarding gobert injury : http://instreetclothes.com/2017/04/16/understanding-rudy-goberts-knee-injury-associated-uncertainty/

Unfortunately Mack is better right now.

Mack is 28 in his prime. This is the best he will be most likely. Exum still learning how to play.
Mack outperforms him pretty much every game.

Jazz fans would love for that not to be the case but it is and we need to play the best players in the postseason.

[mvpshaq32]

curious why Trey Lyles still can't get minutes with Gobert down

[dark shark]

Joe Johnson can still play...

yes he can. Picking your spots and playing within the game for over 15 years will do that. He never was the guy to over tax himself during the course of a game. Very well maintained. Plus the role he plays now allows him to play this well and save his best moments for the playoffs

[Jazzy13]

curious why Trey Lyles still can't get minutes with Gobert down

Got beat out by veteran Diaw. Diaw gives us high bball IQ, better passing and deceptive post moves.
Lyles regressed this year and all he seems to do is jack 3's (under 30%) with bad defence and nothing inside.

[KqWIN]

curious why Trey Lyles still can't get minutes with Gobert down

You shouldn't be that curious with the way he's played this season. Major disappointment. Hard to list off aspects of the game where he's even average at.

[dautjazz]

Joe Johnson can still play...

yes he can. Picking your spots and playing within the game for over 15 years will do that. He never was the guy to over tax himself during the course of a game. Very well maintained. Plus the role he plays now allows him to play this well and save his best moments for the playoffs

Hot yoga can't hurt. The guy takes care of himself very well. 35 aint a spring chicken, but you can still be serviceable in the NBA at that age, in fact Malone won his 2nd MVP at 35 years and 284 days old, and the year before MJ wasn't much younger. I'm not saying JJ should be expected to play at this level, but there have been several players who have played very well into their mid 30s.

[ILOVEIT]

I have a question....Does anyone remember Blake Griffin stopping anyone defensively....or blocking a shot...in ANY game????
The Clippers have a bunch of guys that don't/can't play D....and their athletic shot swatting dunking center has no offensive move and shoots 50% FT's.

So why do we all think they can be a better than they are?? They ARE what they ARE

[bmurph128]

It's interesting to read through this thread... Everyone here seems to be jumping on the Clipper-Hate-Bus...talking about how the Clippers are chokers, etc...

How about this... The Jazz are really a good team, and they played a phenomenal game with a ton of heart despite loosing their best player in the first 20 seconds of the game. Did anyone here even watch the game? I believe the biggest lead at any given time was 7 points. That's not choking... that's just a good game. The Jazz's offensive ball movement was a thing of beauty through most of the game, and the Clippers couldn't stop them. The Jazz simply played an amazing game. They endured CP3's take-over in the 4th, and Iso Joe sealed it at the buzzer. It was a tight game from start to finish.

It's going to be a shame if Gobert is out for the duration of this series... Favors really stepped up, but he looks like he's struggling to he point that I wouldn't be surprised if he couldn't play in any more games this year.

That may be...but after years of watching the Clippers do the opposite of what you expect in the playoffs, people are going to focus on them losing rather than the Jazz winning. We should just expect it...which some do.

Given all the talk about the Clippers playoff struggles, them having the best player in the series, and having home court....them losing will definitely be the focus.

Fair enough. It's just interesting that so many people focus everything on how the Clippers are blowing it... when the Jazz played such a great game of basketball. Their ball movement was unreal... they looked almost Spurs-esque on various possessions. I just think the Jazz deserve a little more credit for the win rather than "the clippers just choked". The Clippers got beat by a team that earned that win... period.

On the flip side of the conversation... I guess the narrative for the unraveling Clippers is something noting. If I was going to sum up how this series looked in game one, I'd have to say that the Jazz looked liked a team comfortable with adversity. The Clippers do not.

That said... I expect the Clippers to come out with some serious fire in game 2. They have to play like it's all on the line. If they let the Jazz out play them in Game 2, then this series is as good as finished. Utah has one of the loudest, and most hostile home court crowds in the NBA...it's not going to be an easy place to take games.

Yea and the other part is....currently more than 50% of people on here are picking the Jazz. I'm sure that's partially because of game 1, but this was always the closest series in either conference, so the Jazz winning won't surprise anyone. Jazz definitely played great and I hope Gobert somehow comes back in this series.

[KqWIN]

Something I don't understand is people saying that Gobert's injury "allowed" Utah to play small and spread the floor. Doug Collins and Doc Rivers have both said something alongs these lines. Joe Johnson has played PF almost exclusively since the all star break, and before that Lyles was playing to space the floor. We've been playing 4 out all season long.

Not sure if they're just saying something to say something, or if they really haven't watched the Jazz play for the past few months. I can't imagine the Clippers would be surprised at a 4 out look.

[Scatocephalus]

Just today

Read on Twitter

Great sign!

[Ballerhogger]

They won on the road. They can still win , hayward will have to have big night. Stretch the clippers out

For the clippers , get inside to blake as much possible.

[NBAfan3024]

hope gobert is back soon.

[mudsak]

curious why Trey Lyles still can't get minutes with Gobert down

Because he wants to play hero ball. He played himself right out of the rotation. I'd say he's as good as gone. I'd prefer to see Bolomboy get some minutes at this point.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[Ballings7]

For people who haven't really seen much of Joe Johnson...

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Damn good player. Watch out "Clip Show", there's definitely more where Game 1 came from.

[tundraknight]

hope gobert is back soon.

I'm wondering if the Jazz decide to give him extra rest since they won Game 1 without him.

Give his knee a couple extra days and hopefully be ready for Game 3.

[DEEP3CL]

Should've gotten Melo. He's built for a half court slugfest like last night. I knew this was going to happen. Blake disappears in the 4th, JJ and Jamal or only good in the regular season, Dj is whatever, and the scoring load falls on Chris. If he's so tight with Doc why didn't he get his buddy Melo here?

Because he didn't want to trade his son...from all accounts that was given by media, the Clippers didn't even have to trade the Big 3. But you're right, should've gotten Melo....Clippers need a real 3 man badly.

This isn't true, Carmelo never agreed to waiving his no trade clause, so there wasn't even the option to make a trade

True Melo didn't want to waive his NTC, but from what I was hearing from guys I know who can get info the regular fan can't get...that was the hang up. Even media reports mentioned that the Clippers didn't have to give up any of their big 3. That's truth.