The Clippers came into Wednesday night a very sound defensive team along the arc. Prior to their 102-85 loss against Houston, the Clips were third in the league in opponents’ 3-point percentage (below 31 percent), and fifth in 3-point attempts allowed.
Suffice it to say, those numbers took a hit after the Rockets polished off a 12-for-23 performance from long distance:
13 Responses
Enjoying your video breakdowns again Kevin. It amazes me that the same team (although not always the same floor personnel) are so inept at certain times in a game.
Is it poor on floor communication or is it poor defensive coaching?
Or maybe it’s just a bit of both and poor defensive players!!! After watching how they can play against the Grizz, it’s disappointing to see this sort of display.
Kevin, do you now have access to all ESPN’s tools to edit and produce these breakdowns?
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 am
Great breakdown I really dont understand how this happens it just seems like the Clippers wanted to give up three’s everytime the ball went down low they would immediately double or help in the post I see absolutely no need for that with this team maybe if they had a Tim Duncan or a Dwight Howard anyone who could maybe score 20 down low it would be understandable. But with Kaman and Camby down low there really should be no reason to try and double or help out in the low post. I would really like to see the Clippers play more zone defense maybe a 3-2 with Kaman and Camby down low Baron, Gordon and Thornthon up top could be highly efficient I feel Dunleavy is a good coach but he needs to find ways to win if that means mixing things up a bit then thats what he needs to do he need to play to his players strenghts not to what he wants to do. I would like to add that I believe Rick Adelman is one of the best coaches there is in the NBA hes never had a healthy Rocket team yet always seems to have them in the playoffs kudos to Adelman.
SamMays Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
Absolutely right. You double down on Dwight Howard, not Louis Scola, Chuck Hayes or Carl Landry. I hate Dunleavy’s defensive schemes almost as much as I hate his offensive schemes.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
This isn’t a terrible loss because Houston is probably a playoff team and you can lose some home games to good teams and still make the playoffs.
I saw Adelman make some great subs and adjustments in the 2nd half.
SamMays Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
The teams we’ve beaten have a combined winning percentage of .366… Basically, we’ve had the easiest schedule imaginable so far and we’re 8 – 11. If we can’t start winning games against marginal teams like Houston, the playoffs are a pipe dream.
We’ve only had two wins against teams over .500, OKC (barely) and Denver… In the same time, we’ve lost 5 games to teams under .500… We’re not even playing as well as our less than stellar record would indicate…. Basically, we suck so far.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 9:38 am
Yea, coaching does make a diffrence. When Gordon is out we need a stopper. what happened to Marty Collins,other then Gordon Marty plays great defense. scorers come and go but defenders win championships. Dunleavey needs to make better moves.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
Despite the barrage of 3pt shooting, we still could have won this game. We just shot ourselves into a horrible slump in the 4th quarter. No offensive production whatsoever.
It just seems like, when we get down by 4+ points late in the game, there’s this automatic reaction to force 3 point shots whether they’re good looks or not. Dunleavy needs to drill it into them to attack the basket late in the game regardless of how many points we’re down. Especially last night, height advantage in every position and we’re settling for jump shots?
C’mon get to the rim and make them commit fouls.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I remember KA picking Houston as his second-favorite team…I can see why. In a lot of ways they’re the polar opposite of the Clippers: A scrappy collection of players that don’t look good on paper, but who fit together and fit the team’s system. They’re built by a very smart front office that makes good personnel decisions that are a part of an overall strategy.
Someone tell me that isn’t the antithesis of the Clippers over the last few years.
I read that Blake is expected out into January now this morning….damn.
I missed the game, but I gather that the Clippers played *pretty* well from the posts this morning… although sounds like Butler’s inability to capitalize on Brook’s covering him cost us. Hopefully when we get the rest of our guys back we’ll be able to win games like this—
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
The 2nd half adjustment by Adelman was amazing, it was like when Shawn Marion was guarding Cassell.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Yeah, I guess Dunleavy is resting Blake until January. Someone told me it provides him a good excuse because the Clippers have a hard schedule coming up this month.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
FD
Is this a good excuse not to be fired or it is good excuse to give Blake more time to heal.
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
We need another maggette type slasher for the sm fwd position.. Just not another Corey .. Please..ft attempts are killin us..
Ben Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
its exactly what we need it still baffles me how EG gets to the line at will and gets HACKED yet he doesnt get the calls when Corey Maggette would just flail his arms in the air and scream and he would get damn FTs……
damn it seens like we havent played in forever….
im tired of not being able to put together a nice winning streak
hope we start a new one…
Posted on December 4th, 2009 at 1:48 am
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