The Clippers 103-96 victory tonight over the Utah Jazz ensures them a spot in the” finals” tomorrow where they’ll battle the host Lakers for the “championship” of the Lakers preseason shootout tournament. No word yet on whether there will be a goofy trophy presentation for the winner tomorrow, but if there is, we’ll be able to witness it in all it’s awkward glory because the game will be televised at 7:30pm on Fox Sports West. Joel and Stu will have the call, but if you’re craving some Ralph you can follow him and his mid game tweets here.
Another impressive performance from Blake Griffin (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Before moving on to tomorrow, let’s take a look at how the Clippers secured a victory tonight.
- Blake Griffin put in a solid game tonight, going for 16pts, 8 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks in 34 minutes of play. That’s back to back good showings against two of the better defensive teams in the league in San Antonio and Utah. It may only be preseason, so of course the stats and wins don’t count, but the confidence Blake can carry over to the regular season is very real.
- As a team, the Clippers shot extremely well (52%), but turned the ball over 19 times. In the regular season, a team as good as Utah will usually make you pay, but to the Clippers credit they blocked 9 total shots and turned the Jazz over 20 times themselves.
- The starters tonight were Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Rasual Butler, Blake Griffin, and Chris Kaman, and they all played pretty heavy minutes – Gordon (37) and Kaman (35) in particular. Marcus Camby (ankle, out 1-2 weeks) sat tonight along with Sebastian Telfair (ankle, day-to-day). Al Thornton didn’t see much time tonight, playing 10 minutes to Butler’s 26 minutes. It’s difficult to interpret what this really means. Is Dunleavy resting Thornton to prepare him for the regular season? Or is he tipping his hand by playing Butler more minutes and giving him the starting nod? This can be probably be filed in the “don’t look too much into it” category, as Dunleavy likely wants to give Butler additional time to gel with his new teammates.
- Kareem Rush played perfect basketball in his 14 minutes, going 4-4 from the field, 3-3 from deep, and 2-2 from the line to put his total at 13 points. There still isn’t much indication that him or Roberson(4 min, 2 points) will make the final roster, but Rush probably distanced himself a bit from the rest of the pack tonight by icing this contest with his lights out shooting.
- Craig Smith played the part Lisa Dillman described for him perfectly tonight, finishing with 12 points and 6 personal fouls. That’s right – Rhino (and Baron!) fouled out in a preseason game. Bang on, Rhino. Bang on.
- Lastly, the bad news: In a combined 63 minutes of play, Rasual Butler and Eric Gordon pulled in two measly rebounds. Keep a close eye on this – the lack of rebounding from the wings absolutely destroyed the Clippers last year. It’s something to work on.
30 Responses
That is why I am saying if the Clippers don’t make to the palyoffs it is going to be a disappointing year. They have the players to at least capture the 8 spot.
get serious Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 9:26 am
8th spot? that’s it?
If you dream of grabbing 8th spot, you’ll end up in 12th spot.
This team has the steam & talent pool to make it to TOP 3 in the west. If not this season means nothing.
Nothing less than top 3 will help this team. They should aim for TOP SPOT. Nothing less.
Seth Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I agree. That’s the problem with us, we always shoot low. This is a new team with better talent.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/272829-the-los-angeles-clippers-ready-or-not-here-they-come
andrew Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
sorry but you are out of your mind. If not, this season means nothing ? what does that even mean ? there’s no way in hell the Clippers are top 3 in the west so I guess you shouldn’t bother watching this season.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Great summary, Kevin. I was at the game, and it was very interesting to watch Blake’s reactions. He is an incredibly poised and collected rookie, but Millsap definitely got into his head late in the 3rd quarter. Millsap stripped him in the post on consecutive possessions (arguably fouling him both times) and Griffin started jawing at the refs and Dunleavy. Many rookies would lose their focus on this type of situation, but Griffin channeled his anger and used it to throw down a beastly jam over two Jazz players on a subsequent play.
I was lucky enough to have Sonics season tickets during Kevin Durant’s rookie year, and I can honestly say that I think Griffin is going to have a FAR better rookie year than Durant did. Obviously they are completely different players, so comparisons are difficult, but Griffin just seems light years ahead of Durant in terms of maturity (both physical and mental).
Slax Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
It was DJ’s post not KA’s but it was a good summary nonetheless.
Sam K Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Oops, my bad. Guess I should check who the author is before I give out perfunctory compliments.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Why can’t we see highlights to this game anywhere? It’s ;like the NBA totally forgot this game was going on.
D.J. Foster Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Found this kind of strange as well – if I can track any down I’ll post a link.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Get serious……I agree with you. Top spot baby!!
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Each team that has fallen to the Clippers this pre-season so far, their fans rather, claim
its only pre -season . Portland,Golden State, San Antonio, Utah and probably the Lakers too , don’t and won’t accept the Clippers’ victory as being legit.
Clippers have a Solid starting unit , second unit and even the 3rd unit . Nice depth all around . Please stay healthy this season guys…. prove that the motto ” It’s the Clippers ”
no longer applies.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 10:26 am
That’s quite a fantasy basketball line from Blake. His passing is really one of his under appreciated talents and I see the assists climbing.
One NBA TV last night with Rick Kamla they were saying that Dunleavy was chattering about bring Blake off the bench this season? WTF?? Has anyone else heard this? That would be a stupid move.
Chris. Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am
To start the season Dunleavy apears to be going with Camby & Kaman up front & off the bench it would be Griffin & Jordan running and killing with Telfair & hopefully Thorton. It’s 2 different teams which is kind of awesome, but if Camby is hurt when the season starts look for Griffin to start & by mid-season or earlier if Griffin plays like this during the season he’ll have to start over Camby. It’s sadly like a wait & see who gets hurt before Griffin will start over Kaman/Camby, but either go down early & he starts. It’s how Thorton finally got his minutes his rookie season & with no other options at SG with R. Davis out it worked for Gordon too. Dunleavy likes to take his time, too much time imo with rookies.
get serious Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Blake Griffing is going to be a starter from game 1. There’s no guessing game there.
I still think, Thornton & Gordon should come off the bench for their own good.
Curtis Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I don’t, IMO I think having Griffin come off the bench initially is a great move, and it says a lot about the team. Think about it:
-We have such a strong team this year that the number one draft pick is coming off the bench. The second unit is where things begin to slow down, but with us, playing gets ramped up! That has to be a nightmare for any team going against us.
-Generally, you want your sixth man to be the energy guy, and since Griffin is young and hungry, who else would be giving more than him in that position?
-Also, you want to develop him, so that he becomes the ideal franchise player. As the season goes on, begin transitioning him into the starting role. That way he doesn’t think that the weight of the team rests on him, which will allow him to focus on getting comfortable with how the team operates and the NBA for that matter.
get serious Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Huhhh!!!! We want to develop who?
C’mon guys. It’s BG who’s going to help develop Clippers low-voltage mindset.
And It’s HIM who’s going to make Clippers feel & think like champions.
Many tried. None did anything except Sam Cassel.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Great post DJ,
That possible starting wing combo of Gordon & Butler is a bit scary on rebounds as u said but so is Gordon & Thorton for that matter. Good thing we have great bigs who will really need to get every rebound possible. I wonder if this could be why Dunleavy wanted to experience with Griffin at SF so we could have the best rebounding front team EVER playing Griffin/Camby/Kaman that Gordon won’t need any rebounds.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
The Clippers are as deep as any other team in the NBA. If Dunleavy can not get them to the playoffs, than he needs to go. Kaman is looking good, Blake looks great. This will be a sweet season for the Clips. 60-22
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I like what I see so far. However, the wings not being able the opponent wings off the boards will be a continued problem this year.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Anyone going today for the Lakers shootout to watch the Clippers play? Should be fun.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Lakers are visibly nervous. PHIL JACKSON knows, that this very Clipper team can end his coaching career in a humiliating fashion. Can he escape from that? Probably not.
And it’s easy for KOBE to sign with Clippers and keep winning in LA rather than waste his last few years re-building this stale & pale Laker team.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
wow?
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Hehehe…. just touch of optimism perhaps. That’s awesome I wish “get serious” worked in my office to help me fend off the Laker fans.
get serious Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Slax, it’s easy. Just bring up Jackson-Miss.Jeanie affair. Lakers are world famous club. But this affair issue is a classless act.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Im feeling the Clips this year
Headed to the Opener at the Lakers.. Looking for a UPSET for a Nation wide TV Crowd!!!
Not worried about the SF Lack of rebounding..
Should be great year barring injuries
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Look Blake Griffin is great but he is NOT the reason we do well
We can do well with him coming off the bench..
im sure if and when we do well he will get all the glory but this team’s depth is the reason they will do well!
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I agree that the Pre Season wins have been impressive
they are strong all around
im sure things will get tougher during the regular season but we are like nearly dominating during preseason
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
these same teams usually kick our behinds in pre season
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Im thinking 3rd or 4rth Overall in the west season finish
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
The Clippers looked pretty decent in the first half and I was impressed with Rasual Butler, Craig Smith and Gordon. Why is it that Kaman goes so soft in the fourth quarter for god sake man up and give it back to M’benga and .Bynum a little.
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
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