Comments on: New Orleans 110, Clippers 102

By: tattoo needles

tattoo needles — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:47:40 +0000

Baron did that in preseason, shooting about 11 times a game, but as soon as the lights came on, Baron felt he had to be a star again.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:11:16 +0000

So, when u were a season ticket holder and at the games, did you actually watch the games? Or did you just sit there and gripe about how awful the Clippers were? Baron doesn’t “suck.” He’s not being used the right way. It may be hard for people who paid good money for season tickets to be unbiased, I get that. But I wouldn’t take it out on the players. Mike Dunleavy needs to go. If this team was coached by any of the other 29 coaches out there, the Clips would not have a losing record. Period.

By: Formerly Section 113

Formerly Section 113 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:59:28 +0000

Hysterical people actually defending Baron….folks he is stealing your money..and they yahoo who defends him by saying he is shooting a career best at the line…WOW!!!!

Bottom line is he got in shape, and he still sucks, and there is still 3 3/4 years of this to come….well someone will trade for his expiring contract in about 2 years…so some solace in that.

I am so happy that I didn’t renew!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:02 +0000

RL is right on. Some of you on here may be hating on Baron Davis, but he went out this summer and dedicated himself to slimming down and getting right. he’s shooting a career best from the stripe, an area of scoring that is all on him. As for the rest of his game, he’s being forced to run whatever it is that MDS is calling his offense. In all reality, Kaman should not be the number one option. Just look at how horrible he looks in crunch time. Rather, the team should rely on Kaman if the offense slows down or as the primary option in a half court set. With the athletes on this team, there’s no reason why the Clips shouldn’t be a running squad. That’s Baron’s game. Look at what happened to Steve Nash when he was forced to change his style. While Baron’s game is fundamentally different than Nash’s, a free-flowing, running offense is where both excel. It’s stupid to pay a point guard star money and then force him to play the opposite of what has made him a star. That’s the opposite of smart and while Baron hasn’t been the most consistent hustler, he makes stupid plays, it seems to be more because he’s unsure of himself and confused as to the offensive game plan rather than because he’s just not a smart player. Anyone who has watched BD over his entire career will know that outside of the at times questionable shot selection, BD knows how to get his players the ball and make plays.

Right now, he just looks lost and disinterested in what Dunleavy is preaching. And who can blame him? Since Dunleavy’s been with the Clips, he’s posted a 194-296 record that calculates out to a putrid 39 percent winning percentage. And his coaching doesn’t pass the visual test either. It’s not like we look at what’s going on and say, yeah, if that guy would have just made that shot, then I can see how this offense would run smoothly. There’s nothing smooth going on.

Can’t argue with the man’s GMing ability, but i don’t see the coaching skills. Never have. MDSr’s team’s have always underperformed.

And my thoughts go out to Kareem Rush.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:15:35 +0000

I agree RL, that was a fairly insightful comment. I really like Baron Davis as well and I think he is a positive addition to this Clipper team. It just sucks that we’re having an extremely tough time winning any of these stupid games.

And like you, I really hate to jump on the Fire Dunleavy Hate Wagon, but it’s obvious something isn’t clicking. Unfortunately, Dunleavy hasn’t been a good match for this Clipper team. When you look at this team, it’s unbelievable that we’re 4 – 8 right now.

Also, I can’t stress it enough, I feel absolutely terrible for K. Rush. Knowing how he worked so hard. Going from barely making the team to being the 7th or 8th option off the bench to tear his ACL and end his season. I have to say that is right up there with the Livingston injury.

By: Chris.

Chris. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:36:43 +0000

You forgot to add Mike Dunleavy to the list of people who hurt his team more than he helps them. Player or not he’s the #1 detriment. Sure he brought together this team which is supposed to be good on paper. Last year we were supposed to be better on paper & the year before. He’s the #1 team killer EVER!

By: los831

los831 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:22:23 +0000

too bad Zbo isnt here… the dunz really thought Griffin would be okay right away even with Camby

By: SamMays

SamMays — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:06:34 +0000

Psychologically, the Clippers are a mess… I think they hate Dunleavy, so they don’t work hard for him, hoping he gets fired, perhaps even subconsciously… But they won’t dog it in ways that are obvious to most fans…

For example, Baron will still go for steals and occasionally make the exceptional play, but will take lots of time off defensively… He won’t move the ball, instead just dribble time off the clock and then throw up garbage. Other players won’t hit the open man. How many times have we seen Camby hoist his low percentage jump shot when all he would have to do is make one more pass to Gordon who is wide open?

I think some of these guys subconsiously WANT TO FAIL because that’s the surest way to get Dunleavy fired…. They’re probably not even aware of it, but they’re not making the hustle plays required to win. They’re not boxing out, setting accurate picks, etc… They’re not playing smart enough to win, because as least some of them (Baron Davis) would rather lose and get Dunleavy out, in hopes they’ll get a more player friendly coach…

To me this says a lot about the coach, but even more about the character, or lack thereof, of a player like Baron Davis. I always remember the line from “White Men Can’t Jump.” You’d rather look good and lose, than look bad and win.” That to me describes Baron Davis to a T.

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:34 +0000

You nailed it Sam. I do not thin MD can motivate the players. I remember one of the reason Pat Reilly quit with the Lakers it was because he could not motivate the players anymore. It is time for MD to replace himself with somebody else.

By: Shawn H.

Shawn H. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:27 +0000

The Clippers are like the Bill Murray character in “Groundhog Day”…someone not as beloved keeps waking up to the same shit happening over and over again. Except here, there’s a different episode with the Clippers each time, but more often the same result. I think Sam has the right idea here…not only there’s a lack of hustle and desire, but also just lack of fundamental basketball. From ball movement, to boxing out, to diving for loose balls, to defensive rotations (or just simply staying with your man)…you don’t see with this team. I’m all for a run-and-gun type of basketball, but you gotta do the little things. The Celtics (whether it was the Russell, Cowens, or Bird teams) or the Showtime Lakers were fast-breaking team that also did the little things. I’m not means comparing the Clippers to those teams, but if these players ever want to learn to win…they need to follow those examples.