ROUND 1: Clippers vs. Mavericks Preview Discussion

[TrueLAfan]

Well, generally, I read the Times--and the articles there in the last days leading up to the playoffs were about as far from arrogant as you could get. And, tbh, I expect them to tell or show the truth—and even when the truth is being masked by stock statements, reality manages to seep in. It did in comments in the 72 hours before the Dallas series started last year. Actually, in general, teams that are unhealthy or concerned usually have some warning signs in their comments. They don’t talk about health; they talk about “luck” and/or being “in the chase” or something like that. Kind of like this quote.

"It's a great accomplishment," Leonard said of making the playoffs. "For me and Paul and the rest of the guys that were here, them being the eighth seed last year, us coming into a new system, able to play that well together our first year under all these circumstances. ... We're still in the journey. We just got to keep enjoying each day and the process."

That was Kawhi—not exactly a ringing endorsement. “Still in the journey”? Really? How about Lou?

“Meshing is important to us, everybody being on the same accord on the offensive and defensive end. We probably are going to be our own worst enemies when it comes down to that.”

Hmm. He’s not sanguine about the upcoming playoffs either. Maybe Doc?

“This hat I’m wearing … is what our president is trying to get us not to do, which I think is just as disgraceful.”

I admire Doc’s commitment to the issue of voting rights—I’m just not sure if I’d make it a significant interview topic 48 hours before a playoff series begins. (The Times article on the CLipeprs 48 hours before the playoffs was focused on Doc's political stands--again, admirable. But not talking about your team much is a sign--and when he did talk about basketball, it wasn't all hearts and roses. What about Doc on Trezz as he was coming out of Covid Protocol?

“I’m just gonna throw him in there. He’s earned that right. The challenge will be just how ready he is. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a guy who hasn’t played in eight games or whatever, hasn’t had any practice, and we’re just gonna throw him out on the floor in a playoff game. And we’re hoping that at this point. There’s no guarantee that will ever happen, so we’ll see.”

That’s a lot of “hoping” about things the team is “just gonna” do, ending up with “we’ll see.” Those are *not* optimistic takes on the current condition of the team, mentally or physically. All of them were made and published in the Times in the 72 hours before the beginning of the playoffs. So, yeah, I’m going to say the tone of the team and staff—as well as the playoff situation overall—is significantly different from last year.

[Max Headrom]

Well, generally, I read the Times--and the articles there in the last days leading up to the playoffs were about as far from arrogant as you could get. And, tbh, I expect them to tell or show the truth—and even when the truth is being masked by stock statements, reality manages to seep in. It did in comments in the 72 hours before the Dallas series started last year. Actually, in general, teams that are unhealthy or concerned usually have some warning signs in their comments. They don’t talk about health; they talk about “luck” and/or being “in the chase” or something like that. Kind of like this quote.

"It's a great accomplishment," Leonard said of making the playoffs. "For me and Paul and the rest of the guys that were here, them being the eighth seed last year, us coming into a new system, able to play that well together our first year under all these circumstances. ... We're still in the journey. We just got to keep enjoying each day and the process."

That was Kawhi—not exactly a ringing endorsement. “Still in the journey”? Really? How about Lou?

“Meshing is important to us, everybody being on the same accord on the offensive and defensive end. We probably are going to be our own worst enemies when it comes down to that.”

Hmm. He’s not sanguine about the upcoming playoffs either. Maybe Doc?

“This hat I’m wearing … is what our president is trying to get us not to do, which I think is just as disgraceful.”

I admire Doc’s commitment to the issue of voting rights—I’m just not sure if I’d make it a significant interview topic 48 hours before a playoff series begins. (The Times article on the CLipeprs 48 hours before the playoffs was focused on Doc's political stands--again, admirable. But not talking about your team much is a sign--and when he did talk about basketball, it wasn't all hearts and roses. What about Doc on Trezz as he was coming out of Covid Protocol?

“I’m just gonna throw him in there. He’s earned that right. The challenge will be just how ready he is. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a guy who hasn’t played in eight games or whatever, hasn’t had any practice, and we’re just gonna throw him out on the floor in a playoff game. And we’re hoping that at this point. There’s no guarantee that will ever happen, so we’ll see.”

That’s a lot of “hoping” about things the team is “just gonna” do, ending up with “we’ll see.” Those are *not* optimistic takes on the current condition of the team, mentally or physically. All of them were made and published in the Times in the 72 hours before the beginning of the playoffs. So, yeah, I’m going to say the tone of the team and staff—as well as the playoff situation overall—is significantly different from last year.

Edited by mod: Sorry--try to avoid mentioning other posters. There is literally nothing the players or posters on this forum have said that would point to anyone being arrogant about anything.

I for one am confident the Clippers can probably take care of business in 5 but that's based off of the match up and personnel in the series. Dallas got a bit weaker as a team and the Clippers got better. And I think this team has shown that when they're locked in it'll be tough for any team to beat them in a series. Like the players have said, everything is between the ears now because the talent and coaching is there, just gotta execute

[RingColluder]

Well, generally, I read the Times--and the articles there in the last days leading up to the playoffs were about as far from arrogant as you could get. And, tbh, I expect them to tell or show the truth—and even when the truth is being masked by stock statements, reality manages to seep in. It did in comments in the 72 hours before the Dallas series started last year. Actually, in general, teams that are unhealthy or concerned usually have some warning signs in their comments. They don’t talk about health; they talk about “luck” and/or being “in the chase” or something like that. Kind of like this quote.

"It's a great accomplishment," Leonard said of making the playoffs. "For me and Paul and the rest of the guys that were here, them being the eighth seed last year, us coming into a new system, able to play that well together our first year under all these circumstances. ... We're still in the journey. We just got to keep enjoying each day and the process."

That was Kawhi—not exactly a ringing endorsement. “Still in the journey”? Really? How about Lou?

“Meshing is important to us, everybody being on the same accord on the offensive and defensive end. We probably are going to be our own worst enemies when it comes down to that.”

Hmm. He’s not sanguine about the upcoming playoffs either. Maybe Doc?

“This hat I’m wearing … is what our president is trying to get us not to do, which I think is just as disgraceful.”

I admire Doc’s commitment to the issue of voting rights—I’m just not sure if I’d make it a significant interview topic 48 hours before a playoff series begins. (The Times article on the CLipeprs 48 hours before the playoffs was focused on Doc's political stands--again, admirable. But not talking about your team much is a sign--and when he did talk about basketball, it wasn't all hearts and roses. What about Doc on Trezz as he was coming out of Covid Protocol?

“I’m just gonna throw him in there. He’s earned that right. The challenge will be just how ready he is. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a guy who hasn’t played in eight games or whatever, hasn’t had any practice, and we’re just gonna throw him out on the floor in a playoff game. And we’re hoping that at this point. There’s no guarantee that will ever happen, so we’ll see.”

That’s a lot of “hoping” about things the team is “just gonna” do, ending up with “we’ll see.” Those are *not* optimistic takes on the current condition of the team, mentally or physically. All of them were made and published in the Times in the 72 hours before the beginning of the playoffs. So, yeah, I’m going to say the tone of the team and staff—as well as the playoff situation overall—is significantly different from last year.

You misinterpreted my post.

FYI I was referring to posters here in regards to the "arrogance", not the players whatsoever this year.

The mention of arrogance relating to the Trailblazers was from last year as I said, "I remember a lot of similar quotes last year and tons of arrogance".

[RingColluder]

Well, generally, I read the Times--and the articles there in the last days leading up to the playoffs were about as far from arrogant as you could get. And, tbh, I expect them to tell or show the truth—and even when the truth is being masked by stock statements, reality manages to seep in. It did in comments in the 72 hours before the Dallas series started last year. Actually, in general, teams that are unhealthy or concerned usually have some warning signs in their comments. They don’t talk about health; they talk about “luck” and/or being “in the chase” or something like that. Kind of like this quote.

"It's a great accomplishment," Leonard said of making the playoffs. "For me and Paul and the rest of the guys that were here, them being the eighth seed last year, us coming into a new system, able to play that well together our first year under all these circumstances. ... We're still in the journey. We just got to keep enjoying each day and the process."

That was Kawhi—not exactly a ringing endorsement. “Still in the journey”? Really? How about Lou?

“Meshing is important to us, everybody being on the same accord on the offensive and defensive end. We probably are going to be our own worst enemies when it comes down to that.”

Hmm. He’s not sanguine about the upcoming playoffs either. Maybe Doc?

“This hat I’m wearing … is what our president is trying to get us not to do, which I think is just as disgraceful.”

I admire Doc’s commitment to the issue of voting rights—I’m just not sure if I’d make it a significant interview topic 48 hours before a playoff series begins. (The Times article on the CLipeprs 48 hours before the playoffs was focused on Doc's political stands--again, admirable. But not talking about your team much is a sign--and when he did talk about basketball, it wasn't all hearts and roses. What about Doc on Trezz as he was coming out of Covid Protocol?

“I’m just gonna throw him in there. He’s earned that right. The challenge will be just how ready he is. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a guy who hasn’t played in eight games or whatever, hasn’t had any practice, and we’re just gonna throw him out on the floor in a playoff game. And we’re hoping that at this point. There’s no guarantee that will ever happen, so we’ll see.”

That’s a lot of “hoping” about things the team is “just gonna” do, ending up with “we’ll see.” Those are *not* optimistic takes on the current condition of the team, mentally or physically. All of them were made and published in the Times in the 72 hours before the beginning of the playoffs. So, yeah, I’m going to say the tone of the team and staff—as well as the playoff situation overall—is significantly different from last year.

Edited by mod: Sorry--try to avoid mentioning other posters. There is literally nothing the players or posters on this forum have said that would point to anyone being arrogant about anything.

I for one am confident the Clippers can probably take care of business in 5 but that's based off of the match up and personnel in the series. Dallas got a bit weaker as a team and the Clippers got better. And I think this team has shown that when they're locked in it'll be tough for any team to beat them in a series. Like the players have said, everything is between the ears now because the talent and coaching is there, just gotta execute

I would post direct quotes verbatim from posters here but I assume that is frowned upon. Nevertheless, there are at least 5 posts I could point out. 2 from the same poster. So yes there is a lot, not "literally nothing".

The players this year? Don't see the arrogance heading into the playoffs at all, although 2 players or so could be described as playing a style of basketball that is closer to that than team play.

I don't know what will happen or how we will execute in game 1. But game 1 is by far THE most important game for us if this is going to be a quick series.

[Kelphus]

Bottom line is ten players from last season are gone, we have 9 players from that squad. It's not the same team. Mavs have a health Doncic and Porzinga so they are also a different team (leaving aside THEIR roster changes). Clips finished ahead of them even with all the extended injury time of starters. Clips in 5 or 6

[Mr B]

Mavs fan here with a question about fan capacity in LA for this series. Any idea how many fans will be allowed in the arena for each game? I’m asking because the Mavs will be at near capacity in their arena.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TrueLAfan]

Mavs fan here with a question about fan capacity in LA for this series. Any idea how many fans will be allowed in the arena for each game? I’m asking because the Mavs will be at near capacity in their arena.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Right now, I think we’re doing 33% capacity; that would be around 6 or 7 thousand. Good luck to your team—hoping for a great series!

[Roscoe Sheed]

seeing how well the Blazers are playing against Denver, I'm not sure Portland would have been a cakewalk like some people have been thinking. There are no easy match ups in the west- even Memphis is giving Utah a test.

[og15]

seeing how well the Blazers are playing against Denver, I'm not sure Portland would have been a cakewalk like some people have been thinking. There are no easy match ups in the west- even Memphis is giving Utah a test.

The matchup simply works better vs Portland, it's not about them being a bad team. Their guards are all smaller, making the Clippers defensive guards all more effective in those matchups.

Denver of course without Jamal Murray is heavily relying on Jokic, and Portland has decided to go on single coverage on Jokic with Nurkic and contain his playmaking.