Qwigglez wrote:Watching the Jazz vs Clippers Game 4 first half all I can think is the Jazz desperately need Mike Conley back. I'm not sure how much of a difference he will make, but they need another ball handler that can create their own shot or other people's shot. No one knows how to feed Gobert, and he is just a giant eye sore on offense. The Clippers small ball on offense try to exploit the PnR and have Gobert defending George or Kawhi and that's such a huge mismatch because Gobert can't move his feet laterally. They do the same with Derrick Favors in. Jazz also need some bench depth and quality shooters because Niang is trash on both sides of the court, and then even Royce ONeal is awful offensively. Defensively he also isn't quick enough to guard PG or Kawhi very well.
The Jazz also run a gimmick offense without Conley. It's Mitchell attacking the basket or taking 3s, and if he's attacking the Clippers collapse on him. Other Jazz players try to penetrate and the Clippers stick to their guy on the 3 point line not allowing an easily accessible 3 point shot. Though as the 2nd quarter winded down the Clippers did have some mental lapses leaving guys open on 3. The Jazz also struggled to identify Morris as a hot hand when Kawhi would penetrate they left Morris wide open when 3 Jazz players went to the paint to help, it's silly because they left Pat Beverly open which makes sense, but Derrick Favors leaving Morris was just stupid.
In the 2nd half I noticed Mitchell just creatively getting into the paint, dodging the double team before it could arrive. When the Clippers collapsed on him he'd pass it out and boom the 3 was going in for the Jazz. On the other end of the court, Kawhi and PG were still trying to effectively run the PnR where they'd get Gobert on them and the Jazz just decided to double team which would leave Batum open, and I assume the gameplan for the Snyder was if Batum was hitting 3s then whatever the game is over. He missed several so the Jazz were happy with the results. Because Batum was like 1-4 on 3s he started diving to the paint instead of waiting out by the 3.
Anyway I figure the Clippers will have to get creative guarding the Suns, and I imagine they try to utilize the small ball but that might not be as effective with Ayton as it is with Gobert. The biggest concern is if CP3 will be able to get going when the Clippers can cycle Jackson, Rondo, and Beverly only him.
Phoenix won't have the problem with CP3 and Booker being able to handle the ball, same with Payne.
Honestly, the biggest worry about the Clippers I have is the Clippers making it a 1on1 game by spreading the ball out with their smallball lineup, and being able to go 1on1 with the Suns defenders, eliminating the Suns connected team defense.
I think Phoenix will be able to score on the Clippers, but being able to stop them will be a tall order.
