The Clippers post an efficient offensive game — one that would have been exceptional if not for the bevy of offensive miscues, sloppy interior passes, a series of botched shots at the rim, missed free throws, and offensive rebounds that slide off the Clippers’ fingertips. Still, they use their length and side-to-side movement to create plenty of shots for themselves. It’s their atrocious defensive effort against a Portland team without a legitimate center, and that loses LaMarcus Aldridge midway through the first quarter, that produces one of their least satisfying losses of the season.
Trying to examine the reasons why they couldn’t defend a frontcourt featuring Juwan Howard and rookies Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph for 90 of its 96 minutes is an exercise in frustration. Chris Kaman, despite a monster offensive game (25 points, 12-19 FGs, 1-2 FTS, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, 1 turnover), shares some of the blame. Marcus Camby seems slow on rotations and frequently a couple of feet from where he’d be more useful. Al’s working, but he’s in the wrong places at the wrong times. This poor defensive execution and timing result in a slew of wide open elbow jumpers for the Trail Blazers’ big men. Cunningham demonstrated in Summer League that he’s not going to embarrass himself on an NBA floor. Give him enough space to work, and he’ll get two points.
Then there are the inexplicable results on the glass. Posting a rebounding rate of 44.2 against a teeny squad like Portland means the Clippers give back their most decisive advantages — size and length. Strengths mean something only insofar as you capitalize on what they’re offering you. When you get reamed on the boards and finish even in the paint (44-44) against an undersized squad that has no right finding space down low, you’re not really a big team. If you’re not challenging guys like Pendergraph and Cunningham and making them irrelevant with your superior size and skill set, then you’re not deriving any value from your assets. You’re a small team that happens to be occupying big frames. And if a game between these two teams turns into a decathlon of little-man events, the Trail Blazers are going to win — which they do.
Sometimes I worry about the composition of the Clippers. They’re so traditional in personnel and so programmatic (qualities that help them at times), that a game against a Guerrilla unit like the whoever’s-left-standing Trail Blazers presents a challenge it shouldn’t. The Clippers play quality defensive games against teams with conventional positional personnel (not just lousy conventional teams, but good ones like Boston and Denver), but start throwing curve balls at them, and they become discombobulated. Kaman and Camby get taken out of their comfort zone defensively — and they’re very good defenders in that safe place. Just don’t introduce so many strange variables.
Please take a look at this possession, I know you’ve got to trap Brandon Roy up top, and that Dante Cunningham rolls to particularly vacant real estate on the floor. But the spacing on the right side for Portland is tight and clustered. With the ball in Roy’s hands, you can zone up on the back side 2-on-3 while someone stays in proximity to Cunningham, then closes hard on him if he gets the pass. You’re professional defenders.
The Trail Blazers don’t shoot all that well from beyond the arc, converting only five of 16, but they get some clean looks, particularly for Steve Blake. The first comes in transition, when Baron never picks him up. The second bomb occurs when Baron lingers in the lane, presumably to stay in closer proximity to Roy, rather than follow Blake to the weak side corner.
Baron, like a lot of point guards, spends most of his time playing the ball and is less instinctive defending off it. He’s drawn to the ball, but his man, Blake, functions as a wing on this set. I suppose you could say that, as a defensive unit, you can never have too many bodies between Roy and the basket given the personnel out there for Portland. But the better play by Baron here is to squeeze Blake and, at the very least, make it a much tougher pass.
The one area the Clippers defense proves acceptable is in its containment of Brandon Roy. He gets 25 points on 20 shots, but Portland afflicts its more serious damage on the Clippers with Roy on the bench. When Roy bothers the Clippers, it’s not because he’s beating his man or getting contested shots. It’s because defenders on the weak side (like Baron) are preoccupied with Roy at the expense of their primary defensive assignments.
Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon propel the Clips offensively. Gordon scores 24 points on 14 true shots, though he’s still suffering from whatever it is that’s afflicting his handle of late. He coughs up four ugly turnovers, though more than compensates for it overall. Kaman, as he should against a team with no bigs, has his way on the block and on releases from the post for jumpers.
Sebastian Telfair’s unit isn’t doing a whole lot to help the team right now. They operate better in transition, but unfortuntely they’re not capable of getting defensive stops. In the interim, maybe they should go back to that Telfair-Smith pick-and-roll with Butler hanging out in the corner.
This loss constitues a real setback, not just for the emotional toll of canceling out a hard-earned win against a top team on Sunday, but because the Clippers, with their strength, should devour a team with Portland’s deficiencies.
30 Responses
This game was so frustrating to watch that I had to turn it off and go do something else during the fourth quarter. It felt like there was zero intensity the whole time, and the team committed way too many silly mistakes.
I like all the players on the team, but something needs to start clicking, or else we’re just going to go through the same exact cycle we see every few years.
Posted on December 30th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I live in Portland and was amazed at poorly prepared the Clippers were this evening. The Blazers had a pretty poor outing, used several NBDL quality players for 25 minutes apiece and never were challenged by a veteran team. The Clippers should rename their team the Zombies. They play like zombies that want to eat their coach. The Clippers have some real talent that don’t seem too motivated. Someone better step in soon or this will continue throughout the remainder of the season. Bear in mind, the Blazers were missing Oden, Pyzbilla, Batum, Aldridge, Fernandez, and Outlaw from their regular rotation. Couldn’t the Clippers coaching staff figure out a way to take advantage of Pendergraph and Cunningham, two marginal players who don’t even have their timing yet due to a lack of playing time? By the way, I just signed the fire Dunleavy petition. I’d really like to see the Clippers become competitive.
D.J. Foster Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 8:33 am
Zombie closeouts! I knew someone else saw this too!
Natsthecat Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Pentergraph and Cunningham are ROOKIES…not NBDA players. They were 2nd round draft picks. Looks like Pentergraph should have been in the 1st round. Maybe he just needed that hip surgery to play better. He just started playing a month ago. He was ANOTHER injured player on the roster till December.
Also Aldridge was out after 1/2 of the 1st quarter. So the Clippers should have won. But they didn’t. Portland has some good veterans who are teaching the rookies..Juann Howard and Andre Miller. They also have Bayless and Roy. Who are both VERY competitive.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 1:39 am
We could use some NBDL players on our bench. At least they would play hard and smart. We have too many dumb, dumb players. It’s not just the coach, it’s the GM (gee, same person…). Thorton, R Davis, Bassy, Rhino have got to go. And until D. Jordan can make at least half his free throws, I’d rather see a veteran like Skinner get the minutes. At least he knows the offense…
30 wins at best. Even with Blake coming back. That’s not negative peeps, that’s the truth. This team needs more overall talent. And smarter players.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 2:36 am
Dont forget the rotations too Kevin. DeAndre went from playing a 30 minute game back to a 5 minute game. Our guys are exhausted by the 4th, probably one of the reasons for the breakdown in defense. We do not have a consistent rotation. Its like 1 guy from the bench gets picked to play 20 minutes and everyone else sits for the most part.
Not only do we need to get them more minutes a game so they develop, but we need to do it to minimize injuries to our starters and keep them fresh down the stretch. 3 minutes a game doesnt exactly build confidence.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 2:56 am
Kevin, I can sense your frustration. This team is unfocused (even dumb) defensively, and stale offensively. The talent is not there to be a playoff team, it is true, but they are also coming to games unprepared, unfocused, and without a solid game plan, which is the coach’s fault. Also, it is clear that Baron wants to undermine Dunleavy, with his comments about pushing the ball and not waiting to get into sets, i.e., he wants to avoid dumping the ball into Kaman on every possession. Note that Blazers took 10 more shots than the Clips.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 6:45 am
We shouldn’t give up this season inspite of surging OKC and SACTOES. Teams like Portland and Utah can be brought down to earth eventually.
It’s crazy how much Clips can accomplish inspite of very few talented players. Our bench disappeared from the scene. Where’s the help?
It’s time to trade Camby, Ricky, Telfair, Smith, Novak and Skinner, Except Camby no one is
good enough to play 5 min. a game according to Dunleavy.
realist Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Sorry man, I love the Cips as much as anyone, but even with their injuries, Portland is still better than us. Utah, too. Portland is especially deep and even without the guys who are down, have won a bunch of games. Man…lottery here we come.
rmb Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Utah & Portland know how to win regular season games just like Phoenix & Dallas.
That’s it. We can’t expect them to take on Lakers & Celtics.
Clippers with Blake + few more nice additions, can go farther.
This team should/could/would win 7 of 10 with Blake Griffin.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 7:45 am
Thank god for clipperblog breaking segment of the games in video and highlighting our strengths.
Happy new year everyone, let’s give EB hell tonight!
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 7:57 am
Kevin, thank you for the post. Your analysis, as always, is dead on. It seems like the clippers are finally taking steps to becoming a good, competitive team again. Which makes this loss all the more difficult to swallow. Losing to a team that’s is missing 7 main players from they’re roster. Terrible. Sometimes I wish you would just write “tonight the clippers sucked balls.. Why?? Because they played like a bunch of bums.”
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 8:21 am
January looks to me like 5 – 10… What will it take to get Dunleavy fired? And Baron on the next bus out… Is that too much to ask?
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 8:48 am
Trailblazers with a number of important players injuried. Trailblazers find a way to win the game. MD Sr. ” don’t judge my coaching until I have all my players”, has all his player except BG and still cannot find a way to help team win. .
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 8:49 am
We make our free throws and we win this game even with bad perimeter defense. Lets trade our whole team because of mental lapses? no, playing tough on the road is a team commitment not fixed by trading off all your players. We get out hustled and beat by TEAMS that play well together in spite of injury or size or anything else you can name because they have chemistry. We have difficulty with smaller teams because we play big at 4 and 5. I would like to see our clippers get to the line more, something the much reviled corey maggette did with much ease. We have guys that can penetrate and get fouled, now lets make our free throws and win some of these close ones. Pendergraph really jesus that was just sad.
Natsthecat Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The Clippers were the same at the free throw line as the Blazers..well up till the last 2 missed Blazer free throws, the Blazers were a wopping 70%. Then they were both 63%. The Clippers had more ATTEMPTS than the Blazers. Which is unusual in a home team setting. Isn’t the home team supposed to get more calls??? Oh..that is probably because 2 of the Blazer players were playing for about their 3rd time in the NBA EVER. So they will be called for more fouls. And commit more “stupid” fouls.
Don’t blame the missed fouls. It was effort and the crowd that got the win for the Blazers.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 9:53 am
Bad coach plus unmotivated players = bad team
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 11:22 am
sweet breakdown. loved it.
Mr. Knox Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 11:47 am
Agreed. Heck, I would’ve enjoyed this if I was on the losing end of it. Thanks for the hard work you put in for your blogging community!
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 11:36 am
Blazer fan here. Love Eric Gordon. This is a game the Clips should have had. Too big and too talented to be losing to a depleted team like this. I’m wondering if some teams’ players aren’t coming into the game as focused as they should be due to that very reason. – “It’s just Portland, it’s just a shallow, inexperienced roster with no big man’.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
The author of this blog is very good BTW.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Great post & breakdown as usual Steve. In the second video, it was Sebastian though, & not Baron who neglected to pick up Blake in the corner. Baron was responsible for the other one. Nevertheless, both our point guards were awful.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hey Kevin,
I enjoyed your post immensely, as I usually do. I always enjoy seeing solid, concise video accompanying with equally solid and concise analysis.
However, in the second video, in which Blake hits the 3 from the corner and gets fouled, the guilty defender is Telfair. At the :12 second mark Baron is clearly on the bench in warm-ups.
Just thought I’d point that out.
Edwin Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Sorry, didn’t realize that was the last comment. Apologies for redundancy.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Huge understatement above. Most people would agree Roy is a little better than “…VERY competitive.” He may be up for Western Conference player of the week…again…and just might lose out to Kobe…again.
Clippers are solid but just don’t seem motivated to scrap on defense and play with pride. BDavis needs to step it up, on D.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Kevin, is there a place to to put up crazy/creative/fun trade suggestions. Since we cant win at lets dream…
How about this crazy 3-way house-cleaning trade: Clips/Houston/Sacramento
Clippers get:
McGrady
Kevin Martin
= total salary $32.5MM
Houston gets:
Baron Davis
M Collins
B Skinner
K Rush
S Novak
Ricky Davis
= total salary of $19MM
Kings get:
Marcus Camby
$9.6MM
Trade works according to NBA trade machine.
Clippers Rationale:
Kevin Martin for Baron Davis is a long term good trade for us. If TMac can play, perhaps he can save our season, if not, then we are setup nicely to patricipate in the 2010 FA race. Skinner, Rush, Novak, R Davis not playing real minutes anayways. Gives Craig Smith and DJ serious minutes and a chance to prove themselves.
Houston Rationale:
Significant upgrade to PG position. B Davis long term contract is hefty but not outrageous. Taking on $7MM in short term contracts while getting rid of TMac.
Sacramento:
Getting Camby who can help right now. With Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih, K Martin is less essential than he was anticipated to be.
Kind of out there, let me know what you guys think?
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I’m a Blazer fan who followed this link from my most viewed Blazer site and I have to admit…brother…? You are really good. My boys are great, but you were concise, intelligent, insightful and gave me visual keys. I’m really impressed, as should your readership be. Well done.
Glad my team won. Sorry Clips lost. Payback for last year in our house that ruined my evening? (season ticket holder here)
Better planning, not tuning out your coach. These were the keys. Athletically…? You had us. Just sayin’.
Cheers. See you on the 4th.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Huge Blazer fan and would like to thin people are scared of how good Pendergraph will be and potentially Cunningham too. C’mon P-Graph pulls down 14 boards in 25 minutes in his 4TH NBA GAME. Nice one PD. Now the Blazers will have so many assets by the time big Greg Oden gets back that a championship in 2011 is not hard to foresee.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
The clippers horrid defense continues. Talk about stupid. The sixers are a terrible shooting team. Pack the paint and stop giving up dunks.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Another mail in job by the clipps. Glad I’m entering 2010 not having spent $1 to see them play.
Posted on December 31st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Trackbacks