Even though the Clips can’t get the Hornets’ lead down to much closer than five points for most of the second half, this isn’t a painful game to watch. Most of the Clippers’ problems stem from their inability to finish around the basket. Mike Taylor misses three FGAs from 0 feet; Baron Davis misses three; Al Thornton misses two; Eric Gordon misses two; Chris Kaman misses two; Brian Skinner misses one; Marcus Camby misses one. That’s 14 missed FGAs from 0 feet. What does that mean? The Clippers are working themselves a bunch of easy shots…and the Clippers need to relax a little. What’s that Woodenism? “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
In contrast, New Orleans hits some impossible shots — ungodly fallaway jumpers from David West, crazy off-balanced runners from Peja Stojakovic. The whirling dervishings of Chris Paul [I'm introducing dervishing as a neologism solely for the purpose of describing Chris Paul]. Objectively, is there anyone you’d rather watch play basketball than Chris Paul c. 2008?
So despite New Orleans’ 49% night from the field, the Clippers’ defensive effort is something more akin to a 44% effort from the floor by an opponent. The Clips give up very little early offense, defend the S/R pretty skillfully, and force the Hornets into some difficult shots.
What hurts the Clippers the most on the defensive end tonight is David West against Marcus Camby. After missing his first FGA of the third quarter, he nails five shots in a row from the field. At [3rd, 7;13], he easily beats Camby on a simple right-handed dribble drive from about 10 feet that he finishes with an easy reverse layup. About a minute and a half later at [3rd, 5:52], West takes advantage of an aggressive Camby close-out on his shot fake by breezing past him with a hard left-handed dribble-drive through the lane. He punctuates the finish with a vicious slam. A minute later at [3rd, 4:49], West hesitates against Camby at the foul line, but then bursts ahead with hard dribble with his left. West then transfers the ball to his right for a Vince Carter-like layup off the glass. At [3rd, 3:08] West and Paul work the side screen-roll to perfection off the left elbow. It’s pretty: Earlier in the set, Paul gets a rock-solid screen at the top of the circle from Tyson Chandler, which nets Paul Al Thornton off the switch. On the West S/R, Thornton and Camby double up on Paul as he explodes into the lane. If you’re Thornton, you have to take West on the switch here. Paul is dangerous, but Kaman is stepping up to challenge, and David West is too dangerous and too hot to leave him. But that’s what happens. How many wide open shots from 12 feet does David West miss in a month? Finally at [3rd, 0:53], he steps back off Chris Kaman at the right elbow and drains a 15-footer.
Eric Gordon has his best night as a professional. 9-18 from the floor, 4-8 from beyond the arc, 3-4 from the line, 4 steals, a couple of turns. He gets his first two 3PMs of the night within the span of a minute in the 2nd quarter. Both come from Chris Kaman, who passes out of double-teams to find Gordon on the arc. In general, Chris is becoming much better at passing out of the double-team. He’s no Tim Duncan by any stretch, but he’s developed a certain level of proficiency.
What I like even more from Eric than those two open three-point shots is what he does at [2nd, 2:54]. This time, he’s covered tightly by Stojakovic on the arc. Instead of heaving up a contested shot, he holds the ball, then takes a little jab step to get Peja a little bit off-balanced. This allows EJ to take a dribble into about 19 and, with enough separation, get off a quick-release jumper that falls through. Grown-up move. He makes a similar decision a couple minutes later in the closing minute of the half [2nd, 0:35]. On an inbound play underneath the Clippers’ basket, EJ curls around the top of the circle to get free in the left corner. Posey trails him. He manages to catch up to Gordon, but Posey’s momentum is enough that Gordon decides to hold off on the shot long enough to take a little left-handed dribble to his right to get himself more space. He gets that open look from 19 feet, and sinks it. Patience as a shooter pays off. It’s the difference between a 35-40% night and a 50% night.
Tonight represents the top of EJ’s range as a player right now, so there’s a temptation to paint the performance with warm colors. That being the case, I think Dunleavy’s best move is to leave him out there for 30+ minutes a night. He’ll likely develop a steep learning curve on the defensive end. Though there might be nights he kills you offensively, it’s better to take the hits now at 2-12.
Not like any other reasonable candidates exist to claim those minutes.
23 Responses
Why is his nickname EJ not EG? Whats the deal.
Q.D. Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Eric Gordon, Jr.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Why are the Knicks fucking with us? We could’ve really used Z-Bo out there on the boards. Oh well, just another day in Clipperland.
Getting rid of the notoriously lazy and idiotic TT and benching the woefully ineffective RD had quite an effect on the team tonight. Although the Clips as a team still can’t defend to save their lives, there was a noticeable increase in energy level. EJ (I believe he’s knows as ‘EJ’ because his name is Eric Jr.) and MTaylor both receive positive reviews.
But Kaman… DUNK THE DAMN BALL and move TOWARDS the basket instead of turning 5-footers into near-impossible 10-foot fallaways! I swear, I think the Clips’ average IQ would jump 50 pts if they traded this guy. And please spare me the ‘top 5 centers’ argument in this post-Hakeem/Ewing/Shaq era. I’m at the end of my rope with Kaman…I’m sure he’s a good kid but I have no faith that he’ll ever develop into a consistent and intelligent basketball player.
Sharik Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Yes. Kaman, what’s with all the dipsy-dos? DUNK IT, MAN!
He also lowers the ball when he catches it in the post and gets stripped half the time.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 12:52 am
@ Danny Manning’s Knee:
With Z-Bo probably on the way, I have to admit that I would not be sad to see Kaman traded. He’s possibly the most frustrating center I’ve ever watched. Camby and Randolph at 4 and 5 wouldn’t solve our defensive problems against PFs but then I don’t think it would make them any worse either.
I would love to see if the Bobcats really want to shift Gerald Wallace for a true center.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 3:41 am
The EG partisans appreciate your commentary, Kevin.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 7:38 am
being a close personal friend of Christopher Zane Kaman, I am absolutely floored by you people. Chris has done nothing but average a double – double or nearly a double – double for nearly 4 years. A rather remarkable feat especially since before last year, there was not 1 set play run for the Big C. It was EB, EB, corey had to get his shots, sam I am had to get his shots, then there was Cat, and TT mr no defense no hustle. SO putting up the numbers he has been putting up is rather impressive. Never mind the fact that he is a good kid, very giving of his time, and you will never read about him in the back pages of the police blotter or the gossip columns. SO while I hope he stays with the clippers till after the new year so we can hang with him and the team during their indi, milwaukee trip, I for one hope he is traded to a contender or at least a better team that will get him the ball, and the fans will appreciate his skills. You people are nothing but a bunch of uninformed, nonbasketball minded, dorks. here is to hoping i can change my handle and join a better blog, one that appreciates its team.
ghost_ride Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Deep down, most of us like Kaman the person, and we can see his skills and the potential he has. We just want to see him be more aggressive, and to reduce his indecisiveness…if that could only happen, Kaman the player would be celebrated a lot more than he is ridiculed.
REALCLIPPERS4LIFE Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Dear Chris Kaman, your mom needs to stop posting on every blog that doesn’t agree with your performance as of late. Listen here Chris’s mom, (because only Chris’s mom would write this crap) “being a close personal friend of Christopher Zane Kaman, I am absolutely floored by you people” What do you mean by “You People”??? The fans that ACTUALLY GIVE A CRAP ABOUT WINNING? & “one that appreciates its team.” Umm… you mean this team that is the worst team in all of the NBA? Okay, I appreciate you. I appreciate that you’re a nut job that is.
Danny Manning's Knee Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
It’s nice that you’re his personal friend, but I’m talking basketball here, not my feelings for Chris Kaman the person. I’m sure I’d be a bit hurt if I was homies with RD or Dunce and saw all the peeps bashing my pal. I don’t doubt that Kaman is a nice, kind person… but he’s a nice, kind person who IS 7-FEET TALL AND NEEDS TO DUNK THE DAMN BALL! Don’t imply that we’re not ‘informed’ or ‘don’t appreciate his skills’… quite the contrary, most of us are very informed and do appreciate when he does play well. But he’s playing for pay in a very public forum, so you gotta expect that your boy is gonna be criticized and slammed every so often.
And please save us the ‘he is a good kid, very giving of his time, and you will never read about him in the back pages of the police blotter or the gossip columns’ spiel… kinda reminds me of Chris Rock’s “sh*t you’re supposed to do” routine. What do you want, a cookie?!?!
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Cat’s health concern stalling the trade:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3724721
jgroove Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 11:41 am
B.S. on Knicks side. Walsh is playing hardball because the NY papers hit him up for not getting more out of the trade (succumbed already Donnie?). Also, new management aside, a bit hypocritical from the NY doc’s side considering they have Eddie Curry — with a more serious condition — on their roster already.
Do you think we can give them Ricky Davis? I’d seriously take an NBDL player over him.
Yeah, wishful thinking. I know.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Eric Gordon contributed more in last night’s game than Ricky Davis has in all his games combined. EJ looks like the real deal with is combination of quickness, shooting, and general athleticism. I don’t know why Ricky has been so terrible this season, but EJ needs to get all of his minutes.
I also do not understand the Kaman-bashing. He has been playing very well. Sure there are things he could do better, but that’s true of everyone. I for one would not like to see him dealt for Richardson. Centers of his caliber are very hard to find, and he may even have a little more upside if he can be a tad more aggressive around the basket. His contract is decent for what he gives us, and Camby has few productive years left.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Espn is reporting that Clippers might persue a kaman For JRich trade after Randolph gets finalized.
Q.D. Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Don’t see this trade happening. paying an add’l 6.5 mill to trade Kaman is not worth it
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Kaman for JRich is, in my humble opinion, a bad bad bad bad move. The clipper should stick with what they have for now… starting 5 of BD, Gordon, Novak, Randolph, and Kaman should create very good floor spacing… and a bench of Camby, Thornton, and M.Taylor is not too shabby at all..
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Was it just me or was Al Thornton horrible last night? Forget about the bad shooting percentage…. it was the shots he took. He couldnt finish around the bucket so he started settling for low perrcentage jumpers…
Everyone has a bad game here and there, but wow… i was so annoyed that he wouldnt take the ball to the basket.
I like Kaman… i think you’d miss him if he left. He provides REAL interior defense (unlike Camby or Randolph) and doesnt make THAT many mistakes. Cut the kid a break. (and no, i’m not his mom).
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/55666/20081125/mobley_practices_with_knicks/
So, Mobley is practicing with the Knicks? I thought that wasn’t allowed unless a trade was approved. What sort of B.S. are the Knicks trying to pull?
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
maybe they’re trying to squeeze a 2nd round pick out of the clippers.
bastards!
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Clippers just agreed to include Eric Gordon in Randolph trade to keep Knicks from rescinding…
brown Reply:
November 25th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
i hate you
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
no they didn’t.. quit making shit up.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
official
ZBo is a clipper
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3726598
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
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