Clipper fans have been eagerly awaiting the night that Baron Davis would unleash his entire offensive arsenal, take over a basketball game, and single-handedly notch a win for the Clippers against a superior basketball team. There’s a buzz in Staples after Baron drains a 30-footer to cap off a 17-point third quarter when that prospect seems not just likely, but inevitable. Unfortunately, Baron doesn’t hit another shot from the floor until the game’s waning moments, long after the Magic roar back on the strength of a 22-2 run to open the fourth quarter. After that, the Clippers never get the deficit below three points.
The first five Clippers possessions of the fourth quarter yield precise one shot attempt — a Mardy Collins airball from five feet on an isolation set against Jameer Nelson [4th, 10:02]. There’s no justifiable reason for Mardy Collins to create a shot for himself during a meaningful possession, particularly if Zach Randolph stands unguarded in close proximity. Poor shot selection mars the Clippers’ 4th quarter. At [4th, 8:26], Mike Taylor puts his head down off a high Randolph screen, darts into traffic and has his floater swatted away by Dwight Howard — even though the little PG has Al Thornton all alone on the baseline. One possession later, Randolph tosses up an awkward driving fadeaway, even though he’s drawn Bogans off Gordon, who stands wide open on the perimeter.
Once Orlando regains the lead — about halfway through that 22-2 run — the wheels really fall off. Baron tries to recreate his third-quarter heroics, but he’s smothered by an energized Magic defense. On consecutive possessions, Courtney Lee valiantly denies him a good look on a post set, then Baron has his transition layup attempt stuffed when he tries to go 1-on-4 against the entire Magic roster.
On the other end, Orlando finally finds its inside-out rhythm. There’s the two-man game executed perfectly by Howard and Brian Cook [4th, 9:41], where they tease Randolph into committing to the double-team low on Howard, giving Cook a wide open look from the arc. This defensive set is excruciating from the Clippers’ perspective for a couple of reasons: [1] Randolph isn’t the appropriate help man. The guy you send to double Howard is Baron Davis, who’s just across the lane on the right block. Orlando’s weak side spacing isn’t particularly good here. Turkoglu and Lewis are standing next to one another on the far side perimeter, and Mardy Collins has it taken care of. Not to mention that, against Dwight Howard, I want my help sealing off the baseline, not bothering him from behind. [2] Once Randolph commits, however ill-advised that decision is, Mike Taylor must rotate over on Cook. He doesn’t, and Cook won’t see a shot that open for the rest of the season.
Not to belabor a point that’s been made repeatedly over the past couple of weeks, but to understand why the Clippers are getting burned from the perimeter night after night, you have to examine their help decisions, which are atrociously bad. It’s a shame, because the Clippers turn in a pretty good defensive effort for most of the game, and do solid work on the glass. They defend that Nelson-Howard high S/R very well. In the second and third quarters, they bump Orlando’s wings on their baseline cuts and little flare screens, preventing the Magic from get many comfortable looks — and closing strongly when they do.
How good is Orlando? I can’t quite tell. This clearly isn’t their finest performance of the season, but there are flashes of Conference Finalhood. When a team has a big man on the low block as the focal point of its offensive attack, it will succeed or fail on its ability to exploit the double-teams on that big man. Orlando is beginning to master that science. Having a forward tandem with a versatile skill set is a powerful asset, especially after they’ve played together for a little while in the confines of a coherent system. Turkoglu and Lewis allow the Magic to play a much more varied and nuanced game with Howard. Both Turkoglu and Lewis can spot up. They both know how to play that two-man game where they tease the help defender and try to get him to commit to Howard [similar to that set we saw with Brian Cook who, in effect, is a indigent man's Lewis/Turkoglu]. Both Lewis and Turkoglu know how to move off the ball and use Howard on the block to work themselves open shots with cuts. Mike Smith spent his pregame segment at the dry erase board diagramming one such set. More than anything, Dwight Howard has elevated his game. His post moves still lack refinement, but they’re much, much improved. Howard has also developed that instinct of knowing instantly where his best pass is — and his delivery of that pass has become more precise.
16 Responses
Clippers president Andy Roeser put a sharp end to that discussion, publicly affirming coach Mike Dunleavy’s standing with the club. “It’s always darkest before the dawn,” Roeser said after the loss on Monday night…. according to LA Daily News.
That made me laugh. We’ve been in the dark since we moved from San Diego, actually, since inception… these are the people that are ruining, i mean running our team. Oy, they make it hard to be a fan, but like a person who plays the slot machine thinking eventually they will get a winner, I am a Clipper fan waiting for “the dawn” and always will be.
Doh!
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cliptakular Reply:
December 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am
slot machine… great metaphor! Cause you know if we win the big one if ever… it’ll be so much sweeter. Big IF though …
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Roeser really said “It’s always darkest before the dawn”???
Well apparently, we live in fucking Alaska because I don’t see the sun coming up anytime soon. Not until some Eskimo buries a hatchet in Dunleavy or a polar bear teaches him how to coach.
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MichaelCage! Reply:
December 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
And it was Mao who added that “It’s always darkest before it gets pitch black.”
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
He also said Clipper tickets were like google stock and are going to go way up in value. Anyone have a youtube clip of that?
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
We don’t need Roeser he’s not a good president so as Mike D. Selling the team will be the best solution.
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Dunleavy is the worst, always has been. He runs the most stale and predictable offensive sets. One pass into the post while everyone else stands around watching. And a terrible GM, gross.
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
This is a bit off-topic, but I just saw video of Kevin Garnett ripping into Glen Davis after the celtic subs had lost a 25 point lead at home. They were huddled up on the sideline and big baby was off to the side a little bit not really paying attention, Garnett grabs him by the arm and yanks him in and then rips into him. Big Baby was basically driven to tears. I just thought it was nice for once, since we don’t get to see it too often here in Clipper nation, to see a real leader in action. I understand that coaches are important but it is ultimately a players league, and If you have leaders like KG on your team you are going to be among the elite. Like coach van gundy said, if Doc is the only one ripping into the players, they arent going to win the championship.
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ghost_ride Reply:
December 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Good point man, the best teams in the league have outstanding player coaches. It’s funny how the best players want it the most. Case in point, the top 3 teams in the league right now have the best player coaches in the game.
Kevin Garnett, Boston…Kobe Bryant, Lakers…LeBron James, Cleveland.
Sam Cassell was a pretty good one when we had him, obviously.
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
guys my uncle took me to my first clipps game in 1985 I am from Indiana and used to visit California alot in the 80s. I have seen the clipps play alot in other midwest cities and of course against the Pacers. I am a clipps fan that dreams of a championship year. who in the hell do we blame anymore, Sterling, players,coaches playing in the shadow of the puke lakers. I dont know how much more I can take.
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Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
No more Excuses. No more what ifs. No more its still early. Hey , we are 20 games into the season and the Clippers are 4-17 . I think that we are a legit 4-17 , Although there is plenty of talent to be a .500 team at the very least, we are not. I have come to terms with where the team is at right now.
Zach Randolph has been a nice addittion and we are no longer getting blown out. A lot of us said last year ; lets atleast be able to compete each night and stay in games. Thats exactly what the Clippers are doing right now. Competing and staying in games.The next step is to start closing these games out and start winning .
We do have a PG that is averaging 18pts 8asst, a PF thats 21pts 10 rbs, a center 10pts 11.5 rbs 3 blks , a 2nd yr wing 16.4 or 16.9 pts and a rookie .
Those are formidable stats for a starting line up.
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Knocking on the Door Reply:
December 10th, 2008 at 10:43 am
All of us can agree, that we made a definite progress towards getting ready for better & stronger team performance.
But we are not finishing well against playoff bound teams. And we can pin point few reasons.
1. Like KOBE, Baron tries to take over 4th qrtr. This change makes it difficult for other 4 to play with purpose. Baron can’t drag his wagon by himself to win. All 5 should be involved in final assault to win tough games.
2. ERIC GORDON is not ready to play 35+ min. & produce 20+points every nite.
He can be productive coming off the bench. Atleast this season his minutes should be limited to 25min. per game.
3. If Ricky Davis continues his poor showing, start Mardy Colling at point & Baron at SG. Or trade Baron for a proven SG. Dunleavy can get better results from Mardy Collins at PG. And we have Hart, Taylor & Gordon back him up.
CONCLUSION: This team cannot succeed under Baron Davis. Even Jeff McKinnes was pruductive seasons ago with the bunch of chest thumping rookies.
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clipseshow Reply:
December 10th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Start Maurdy Collins at POINT GUARD??? Are you crazy…? Maybe I’m watching the games through a different television stream, but I don’t think Maurdy Collins is capable of starting at any position for any team in the NBA.
The reason we are not closing out is because the coach is not adapting to the players, and Dunleavy is forcing the players to adapt to his style. He is coaching the team as if we had the same team from the 2005-06 season. And, its crazy because Baron Davis is not the same player as Sam Cassell and Zach Randolf and Marcus Camby are not the same player as Elton Brand. They all play a completely different style of basketball.
If Sterling wants to win and earn respect, he needs to fire Dunleavy as the coach and retain him as the GM only. Sterling needs to move the Clippers to Anaheim away from the Lakers shadow and have a younger, more inspirational leader coach the team the rest of the season.
At this pace, we are definitely fighting for that “coveted” spot…the bottom of the Western Conference.
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JWB Reply:
December 10th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
clipseshow…you got some good points.
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Posted on December 10th, 2008 at 9:09 am
clipseshow..you have some good points.
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