Game 47

5p PT

KTLA 5

KSPN 710 AM

Against one of the league’s defensive juggernauts, the Clippers cast their fortunes with their three-point shot.  They launch 28 attempts from beyond the arc — their largest total this season — making 11.  For over one half of basketball, the strategy pays off.

Then, at about the 7:00ish mark of the third quarter, you notice the Cleveland defense adjusting.  The Cavs start to employ what may best be described as a reverse sag.  Ben Wallace begins to stay at home on Steve Novak, following him all the way out to the arc when necessary.  Sasha Pavlovic clamps down on Eric Gordon, pushing his way through screens to chase the Clippers’ rookie to any spot on the perimeter.  Meanwhile, the Cavs decide that they’ll gladly cede the lane.  With Brian Skinner in the game, the Cavs have Zydrunas Ilgauskas to provide any needed help on penetration — and very little help is required, because the Clippers fall in love with the jump shot.  Aside from a few slashing moves by Al Thornton and a couple of unsteady drives by Baron Davis, the Clippers confine their game almost exclusively to the perimeter.  This, in turns, allows Cleveland to play tight on the Clippers’ shooters.

Am I suggesting that the Clippers should’ve pounded it inside against Cleveland’s defense?  Nah.  Playing the Cavs in Cleveland is a Hobson’s choice.  The only way this Clippers team can win this ballgame is by maintaining their unconscious streak from the outside.  But a few more dribble-drives in the third quarter might keep the Cavs’ defense honest, and give the Clips some easier looks from beyond the arc.

By virtue of his 4-13 night from the field, Baron Davis has more than doubled his FG percentage since his return, from 10% to 21.7%.  Baron’s shot is still very creaky, but he treats us to one of the more graceful spurts of Clipper offense this season.  In the 2nd quarter, Baron assists on six 3PM [four to Steve Novak, one each to Gordon and Ricky Davis]:

• [2nd, 11:05] Baron picks up a loose ball on the Cavs’ end of the floor, and ignites the break.  It’s 2-on-3, but against Varejao and Szczerbiak in transition, Baron slings a pretty pass across his body while in the air that finds Eric Gordon alone along the arc.  3PM.
• [2nd, 10:30] Baron picks up the rebound and pushes the ball up.  He quickly initiates a little screen and pop at the top of the arc with Novak.  Pretty easy: Varejerbiak traps Baron, leaving Novak alone to Baron’s right.  It’s an easy pass to Novak.  With Ilgauskas closing, Novak decides to look for some open space toward the right corner.  He leads Z there, then dribbles back to his initial spot.  The quick release gets him an open look.  It’s the first of Novak’s five 3PMs on the night.  He finishes the game with 19 points [7-15 FG, 5-10 3PFG, 0-0 FT].
• [2nd, 9:29] Baron and Novak try another screen and pop, but this time Varejao recognizes what’s happening and is quick to recover.  So Baron takes Daniel Gibson off the dribble, getting ahead of the little guard.   When Baron reaches the paint, he sees Ricky Davis alone beyond the arc on the weak side.  Baron makes a nice jump pass that hits Ricky in the hands.  Catch.  Shoot.  3PM.
• [2nd, 8:25] Another screen and pop at the top of the arc…only this time Novak slips the screen.  This confuses Varejao, and Novak gets the room he needs.  3PM.
• [2nd, 6:11] This is interesting, because the Cavs counter with a small adjustment on the Davis/Novak action up top.  Rather than put the onus on Varejao, the Cavs rotate Szczerbiak up from the right corner [where he's on Thornton], and send help from the weak side toward Al.  This denies Novak the open shot.  He passes it off to Thornton, who is now covered by Wallace [the help].  Every team gets burned.  The good ones adjust.   Now there’s only :09 left on the shot clock and the Clippers have to work for a shot.  Thornton fires a skip pass to Ricky Davis on the far side.  Touch pass from Ricky Davis back to Baron, who has only :07 to create.  He puts the ball on the floor and penetrates left.  When the Cavs collapse, Baron somehow finds Steve Novak behind him to the right along the arc.  Baron kicks it out and Novak drains the 3PA.
• [2nd, 4:10]  Baron and Novak work themselves a switch, but instead of popping to the perimeter, Novak posts up the much smaller Gibson at the right elbow.  Baron has Varejao in front of him, so he drives right.  But in doing so, he lures Gibson off Novak.  When this happens, Novak immediately breaks for the arc, and that’s where Baron finds him.  3PM.

Has Baron Davis been a disappointment?  Yes.  Does he deserve your scorn?  Possibly.  Has he lost the ability to shoot the ball with proficiency?  Apparently.   Assuming the latter is true for the balance of the season, the question becomes, what can Baron Davis do for the Clippers?  We see tonight that Baron still has the ability to create for others.  He seems legitimately energized by the two-man game he establishes with Novak in the second quarter.

The challenge for Davis going forward will be eliminating his worst five FG attempts a night.  If he can do that, be a 42% FG shooter, continue to rebound the basketball, find shots for other scorers, and run the break, then those with well-managed expectations might find themselves less pissed off at him.

Defensively, things get ugly for the Clippers quickly.  During Cleveland’s jackrabbit start, the Clippers find themselves distracted by LeBron James on every possession.  Fred Jones gets burned twice by Pavlovic. Ilgauskas also has his way against the Clippers inside.  When things get hairy in the third quarter, again it’s Ilgauskas.  But this time, the Clipper bigs forget to account for Z outside of 15 feet, where he’s very dangerous.

The Cavs extend their lead to 14 with a series of 3PMs toward the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th.  A few of the lowlights:

• [3rd, 1:09] The Clippers make the mistake of collapsing onto Varejao in the paint, when the big man puts the ball on the floor from the elbow to drive against Marcus Camby.  When that happens, Szczerbiak and Gibson both dash for their spots on the perimeter.  Varejao kicks it out to Szczerbiak, who, when EJ closes, touches it over to Gibson for the 3PM.  Not sure you need to pay Varejao that much attention with shooters on the loose, particularly since Camby is playing him straight-up pretty well.
• [4th, 11:31]  It ain’t astrophysics.  Ricky Davis is assigned to Szczerbiak out on the weak side wing.  Williams is at the top of the arc on the right side with the ball.  Williams turns the corner against Gordon, driving left and Ricky feels the need to leave Szczerbiak alone to help bother Williams.  The second Williams recognizes his shooter alone on the arc, he kicks it out.  3PM.

Generally speaking, Ricky Davis is a pretty average defender.  But he still has to ask himself: [1] How vulnerable is the defense if I leave?  [2] Are there more logical helpers?  [3] Is the risk worth it?   Answers: [1] Very, because the Cavs have the floor spread well and the only possible rotation is from Gibson in the far corner — the Clips don’t want to leave Gibson with that uncontested 3PA.  [2]  Marcus Camby awaits.  In fact, that’s why you have Camby, so you don’t have to leave guys who can do one thing well all alone to…well…do that one thing.  [3] No.  First off EJ isn’t beat…yet.  Second, if the worst thing that happens is that Williams elevates from the elbow for an off-balanced, contested 15-footer, then that’s not a bad possession.  Third, as previously mentioned, if Williams beats Gordon, Camby is waiting.   This isn’t to say that Williams can’t hit the floater over Marcus, but wouldn’t you rather that, than a wide open Szczerbiak 3PA?

Game 46

4:30p PT

Fox Sports Prime Ticket

KSPN 710 AM

Baron Davis checks into the game for the first time at [1st, 5:37], along with Marcus Camby.  Davis hasn’t played since New Years Eve, and Camby is coming off a five-game absence.   The Clippers trail 14-6 and have looked frenetic and without any rhythm whatsoever.

• [1st, 5:37] The Clips are moving right to left.  Derrick Rose guards Davis out on the perimeter on the right side of the court.  Camby comes up from the box to set a high S/R for Baron.  Rose runs through it without much difficulty.  The Bulls’ star rookie and Joakim Noah chase Baron has he drives along the left edge of the paint.   Luol Deng has cheated off Ricky Davis in the right corner to collapse on Baron.  As Baron reaches the restricted circle, he gets up in the air, then swings a beautiful baseline pass to an open R. Davis, who drains the 3PA.  At the time, it’s encouraging that Baron chooses to facilitate and challenge the defense on his very first touch.
• [1st, 5:17] In a halfcourt set on the Chicago end of the floor, Baron picks Derrick Rose’s pocket, then ignites the break the other way up the near sideline.  Eric Gordon, who had been guarding Ben Gordon out on the perimeter, fills the lane to Baron’s right.  As Baron glides into the paint, he flicks a leaping, no-look pass to Gordon.  EJ takes a single dribble, then goes up uncontested for the layup…and misses what might be the easiest shot of his life.

Even with Gordon’s missed chippy, it’s hard not to be amped after the first two possessions.  Unfortunately, the next 20:30 of Baron’s 21 minutes don’t fare so well. His shot looks very rusty and he has a difficult time finishing.  He goes 1-10 from the field, with a single trip to the line, where he hits one of two.  A few of his ten shot attempts:

• [2nd, 11:26] Baron doesn’t take his first shot until the opening minute of the second quarter.  The Clippers feed Baron in the post just off the left elbow against Derrick Rose.   Baron faces up, then launches a 14-footer over Rose that misses short. Baron’s follow-through is off-balanced.  It’s almost a textbook definition of “rusty shot.”
• [2nd, 4:29]  This is Baron’s only successful shot from the field tonight.  Al Thornton kicks the ball out of the post to Davis out on the perimeter against Rose.  The rookie has quick feet and stays on top of them to defend.  Davis dribbles opposite Rose, trying to tease the rookie with a couple of little fakes as if he’s going to drive, but Rose defends accordingly.  So Baron picks up his dribble and launches a long two with his foot on the line.  It falls.
• [2nd, 2:11] Davis gets another unmemorable screen up top from Camby that never deters Rose for an instant.  Baron bursts into the lane, as all four of his teammates congregate along the arc.  Baron’s drive catches the Bulls’ defense by surprise, and the defenders simultaneously collapse.   Baron throws himself into traffic and draws the foul.  Here, Baron appears to not yet have his game legs.  Still a wise play, but if his FGA to start the quarter was a rusty shot, then this is a rusty dribble-drive.
• [4th, 11:23] Jordan tries to set a screen for Baron up top, but it never materializes.  Instead, Davis challenges Kirk Hinrich one-on-one.  Baron tries to cross him over, but Hinrich isn’t an easily fooled defender, and stays in front of his guy out on the perimeter about as well as anyone.   Baron settles for a contested, off-balanced jumper at the elbow that’s nowhere close.  Among Baron’s worst FGAs of the night.

It’s a process.

At the time of the last shot, the Clippers are down 20 in the fourth.  I point this out not to excuse Baron, but…well…to excuse him a little.  Tonight’s game is essentially Davis’ first five-on-five play of the year, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he doesn’t attempt a shot during his first eight minutes of action, but takes a handful of FGAs [and most of the really bad ones] once the game is out of reach.  Perhaps I’m giving him too much credit.

In general, the Clippers make life far too easy for the Bulls, who are able to find space for themselves at will in the halfcourt.  Chicago makes a number of pinpoint interior passes to find open looks, particularly in the third quarter. They’re not running terribly flashy stuff, just making the best possible pass to the guy who’s got the most space to work with. You see it in the first set of the second half:

• [3rd, 12:00] Noah gets the ball in the post against DeAndre Jordan.  Noah faces him up, puts the ball on the floor, and drives left.  The instant Noah sees Brian Skinner come to the aid of Jordan, Noah darts a pass right by him to Tyrus Thomas, whom Skinner left along the weak side baseline.   Thomas misses the open 12-foot jumper, but it’s a solid set, and a harbinger of things to come for the Clippers in the second half.

The Bulls also execute some very basic stuff to perfection:

• [3rd, 8:38] Something strange happens to the Clippers getting set up defensively.  It’s not a quick transition by Chicago, but for whatever reason Al Thornton decides to take Derrick Rose, which would leave the 6′ 2″ Fred Jones on a sizzling Luol Deng.  There’s some confusion, as Jones tries to correct the mismatch.  But there’s no time, as Rose initiates the offense.  It’s a simple pin-down.  Deng takes a stroll down to the baseline, then makes a sharp wing cut.  Jones can’t follow him because Noah sets a nasty down screen that takes him out of the play.   Rose dishes the ball to an open Deng, who nails the easy 15-footer.

The Clippers score only nine points in the third quarter.  There are a couple problems that are apparent.  First, Joakim Noah takes full advantage of his assignment, Brian Skinner, and essentially operates as an active rover, cutting off penetration, doubling the ball, etc.  You’ve also got sets like [3rd, 9:55] where the Clippers simply don’t execute.  Jordan is supposed to set an elbow screen that Eric Gordon can rub his man off as he curls up from the baseline to receive the pass from Jones at the top of the circle.  Only Jordan’s screen catches absolutely none of Ben Gordon.   EJ doesn’t get the space he needs to drain the shot.

The Clips now hit the road for their longest trip of the year, a seven-stop whirlwind that includes games against four of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference.

Game 45

7:30p PT

Fox Sports Prime Ticket

KSPN 710 AM

UPDATE: Clippers to sign Fred Jones for remainder of the season.

Al Thornton and Eric Gordon will be arch rivals — at least for a couple of hours.  Both Clippers have been selected to play in the 2009 Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Phoenix:

Forward Jeff Green, Durant’s teammate in Oklahoma City, joins him on the Sophomore team, which also includes Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford, Los Angeles Clippers forward Al Thornton, Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler, Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey and a pair of teammates from the Houston Rockets — guard Aaron Brooks and forward Luis Scola.

Joining Rose on the Rookie team are two sets of teammates — guard O.J. Mayo and center Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies and center Greg Oden and guard Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Clippers guard Eric Gordon, Heat forward Michael Beasley and New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez round out the Rookie team.

The honor must be satisfying for Thornton, who was inexplicably left off the rookie squad in New Orleans last season.