Back in the day, Chris Kaman was essentially a post-up player who needed the ball at a specific moment in a specific spot in order to work effectively. One of the revelations about his jackrabbit start to the season is how diverse his repertoire has become in the half-court.
Monday night against Minnesota, the Clippers ran five or so traditional/Kaman 1.0 post-up sets for him, but the majority of his touches came from a broad variety of schemes. On two occasions, the Clips ran screens that freed up Kaman to flash to the elbow. He was also the roll man on a few aggressive ball screens. And he generated a bundle of points with basket cuts off the ball.
Let’s take a look:
25 Responses
When is a WIN as bad as a LOSS? When you barely pull out a victory against a team that might not beat a few of the top college programs. If this is as good as the Clippers can play we’re all in for a very long and painful year. Kudos to KAMAN. You watch, Dunleavy will probably trader him now and get some malcontent reject.
[Reply]
Curtis Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
“When is a WIN as bad as a LOSS? When you barely pull out a victory against a team that might not beat a few of the top college programs.”
So what you’re saying is that the win against the Wolves is no better than a loss? I have to strongly disagree with you. Whether it be a close game or a dominant performance, a win over any team is much better than a loss any day.
“You watch, Dunleavy will probably trader him now and get some malcontent reject.”
On what basis are you judging that off of? If anything, Dunleavy has shown that he is a pretty competent GM. I highly doubt he’d trade Kaman for some random no body right now.
Just take it in strides right now. The main thing right now is to find joy in the win, build some confidence, and look forward to a much easier set of games than the first four we encountered at the start of the season.
After the team starts meshing better and a few more wins start to come our way, I’m sure we’ll be able to pull out a few wins against teams that are right on the playoff bubble.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am
You seriously think that pulling out a narrow win over a team like the Wolves is encouraging? Do you watch basketball? Do you see how good teams dismantle weaker opponents? With the talent on this team we should be coasting to 20 point wins over teams like this. It’s the same old story. Teams must laugh about it. “Just stay close because the Clippers will fold up under a little pressure.’”
I find no joy in a 1-4 record. I find no joy in watching a 65 million dollar point guard shoot 2 for 10 every night. I find no joy in 20 turnovers every night. If that’s your idea of fun, boy, you are rootin’ for the right team. Me, I’m tired of driving an hour in traffic to come see a bunch of under achieving millionaires. And this didn’t start two weeks ago. This has been going on for years and years…
[Reply]
Curtis Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I’m not trying to argue with you whatsoever, but you really have to find the positive and look at the broad picture of this team. While I agree that 65 million for a 2 for 10 PG is too much, you also have to look at what Baron Davis contributes: assists, steals, defense, experience, arguably leadership, etc. Also, as the leader and veteran of the team, he needs to take control in the 4th and close it out for us.
And while you’re, “tired of driving an hour in traffic to come see a bunch of under achieving millionaires,” is really none of my concern, there are the world champion Lakers for you to root for, but you don’t for one reason.
It basically comes down to the fact that we believe in this team despite the history, and while there are evident problems, right now we’re just itching to get a couple of wins no matter how ugly they are. Also, we’re all waiting for the Cinderella story to happen. And to answer your question: yes, I do think a narrow win over the Wolves is encouraging.
I do agree that we should be blowing teams like the Wolves out, but you also have to realize that this team is still relatively new and there are still kinks to be ironed out. Also, news of Griffin breaking his knee just days before the opener really did shatter the team’s confidence a bit.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
A win is a win, let’s save the pessimism for the losses, OK? When you’ve played a bunch of solid playoff teams, it’s nice to try to restart your season with a win against a team that you can (arguably, should) win against. The Clips need to build off of something and everyone knows that the pre-season doesn’t count for beans. At least this should stave off the growing tension of not having their first win and it kills what was becoming a large losing streak that could easily adversely affect – and has, in the past – this team. Good job Clips! You need to learn how to win the close games and this will hopefully be the first of many.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
For a guy who we have not heard from the how offseason, he has been more productive than the players we saw on twitter.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Major props to Kaman!
I guess, he was doing a lot more than shooting and blowing up stuff with his redneck friends in Michigan over the summer.
If it wasn’t for Chris everyone of our games would’ve been a BLOWOUT loss! He is the ONLY reason right now why we’re not the absolutely most pathetic team in the NBA. Yet.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Chris Kaman is having a great year so far, despite the team’s struggles. Most surprisingly is his offensive improvement, detailed here in the video.
The Clippers have a ton of talent, but they just can’t put it together to get the W’s. Must improve on defense and shot selection, but they have good players that could do it if pushed hard enough.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Off topic, but has anyone posted this Onion story here yet? I burst out loud laughing. It’s a must watch. Seriously. Fatal Staples Center Collapse Brings Merciful End To Clippers Game. I died with the Kaman line…
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/fatal_staples_center_collapse
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I knew that Kaman was going to have a good year, that’s why I drafted him early in my Fantasy BBall league. The only thing that kind of bothers me though is that he seems to be a bit turnover prone. Now, that may be a result of him getting more touches, but I would still like to see him not lose the ball so often.
KA: Great video “Clips”. I love the new facet to the blog.
[Reply]
JM Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
This is my new favorite feature. I can’t ever recall seeing someone screen off two defenders at once the way Baron did.
I also like how Kaman’s got a bounce in his step. He seems to be in good spirits.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
KA conquers all formats.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I love Kaman at the elbow. Since he can hit that shot now, it makes it harder to double him, since he can pass to either side of the court. It’s what Dallas has done with Nowitzki to protect him from double teams.
Rather than getting the ball to Kaman in the block or corner, let him come up to the high post and his hit jumper or pass to the cutters or shooters.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
i love how everyone kisses Kamans ass when he does good then says “LETS TRADE HIM!” next when he has a bad game…
slap yourselves people the team needs to revolve around BD and the center Kaman who’s been with the team the longest than anyone on the current roster
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
LA needs a strong presence at the small forward position… seriously like a carmelo anthony type
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Kaman was playing well most of the night, but he still makes a lot of stupid mistakes.. He’s playing good, but he gets injured a lot and he’s not the guy I’d want out on the court in the 4th quarter. Trade him for some value now.
[Reply]
Chris. Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 9:15 am
can we trade you to another team?
Why does this video clip of Kaman performing excellent and showing improvement make you want to call out things and want him traded? Enjoy the win, it’s the point of the game.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
trade this traitor now. i want this guy off my team.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
is anyone else appreciate how good Craig Smith has been?
i mean the guy is a fucking beast hes the type of guy we can run plays for and he will make something happen cuz he just bullies over whoever is guarding him….
but yeah Rasual Butler is good Al is a downgrade if we only had a decent backup SF
…..oh and a friend of mine recently told me “why dont you give Chris Kaman his props”
and i was like “cause all his games dont matter if they havent got us a win”
and now it did (barely) so i give him his props i just dont think we can win consistently going down into him night in night out….
by the way this game breakdown video is like the Coolest thing ever.
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Seriously I can;t believe Clipper fans are complaining about a WIN.
[Reply]
RL Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
yea for real, I wonder if Laker fans are complaining about their near debacle at OKC… hmmm… ^_^
[Reply]
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
it’s no wonder you morons have never won anything..you guys are pissing an moaning, and you won. stop trying to trade kaman…the kid is/always will put up solid numbers when he is not hurt, just like any other all star. without him playing right now and putting up the numbers he is putting up you cry babies would be 0-5 with 4 blowout losses….so stop crying ..kaman will be an all star starter this year, or a back up.
[Reply]
Chris. Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 9:18 am
lol, while I agree with what ur saying about the peeps complaining about a win, my laugh comes from Kaman being an all-star starter this year. Right now he is playing like an all-star, but I’m not so sure nba fans are ready to vote for him to start. i will, but i’m a clippers fan. Great post.
[Reply]
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Putting up numbers doesn’t = wins
[Reply]
Posted on November 4th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Kaman is a weirdo. Guy is a head case who will blow up mentally. Give it time. You guys will be laughing even considering that he’ll ever be an all star.
i will personally never forgive him for playing on the German team.
[Reply]
Posted on November 4th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Add A Comment