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ClipperBlog Live Following Clippers-Lakers Preseason Game

Dec 19, 2011
by Mark Shore




Join us after tonight’s Clippers-Lakers preseason game where DJ Foster, Kevin Arnovitz and Mark Shore will break down all the action on ClipperBlog Live. We’ll be taking text and video questions from fans so be sure to submit them.

 

Mark Shore

Latest posts by Mark Shore (see all)

  • Old Skool Clip Fan

    Well, it may be a preseason game, but you have to be blind to miss how good this team is. CP3, Billups, and Butler will shoot the lights out. Blake and DJ will clean up the boards and dominate the paint if you let them. How will you stop this team?! Clipper fans, sit back and enjoy the best season ever in the history of the Clippers. It’s been a long time coming.

  • Cody

    I was skeptical how this lineup was going to work but they looked pretty damn good tonight and definetly changed my mind about the trade. We pick up a backup big like a humpries or a krielinko this team looks like a contender.

  • griffin

    We shot the lights out. 3 pointers from everywhere. Blake demands so much attention in the front court you leave guys like cp3 and billups aka mr big shot out there who are deadly from three your bound to get hurt. There were a few times where I saw two defenders on blake and cp3 was left open for a shot or dj was cutting around the back to position himself. This team is good. If we get humphries and another big. Its a done deal

  • griffin

    trey thompkins looked good but kinda of hesitant on his shot. If he drills it with no hesitation this will be good for him.

  • Jgroove

    I don’t think anyone has to worry about Billups and Paul working out together. Boy, that was pretty.

    I’m worried about a third big though. We really need a quality player to come in here to back up Blake and DJ.

    • avonhun

      chuck hayes contract was voided by sacramento. may be able to get him on the cheap.

      • JaySee

        The fact that it got voided means he has a serious heart problem that will prevent him from playing.

        • avonhun

          it was a 4yr/$21.3MM contract. they may have chosen to void for that large amount. i expect he will still sign a 1yr deal somewhere.

          • JaySee

            You can’t void a contract because you don’t like it once it’s signed. There was a clause that he must pass the physical. He failed his echo-cardiogram. He physically can’t play.

          • avonhun

            2 years ago Tyson Chandler failed a physical in a trade to Oklahoma City. He seems to be playing just fine.

  • Mark

    I think the clippers are going to sit back and see what centers become available. Teams are making cuts, and we need not spend more than the veterans minimum on a serviceable big. I could not help but “read between the lines” with Ralph all night.

    • griffin

      It seems we might trade a player. It might be mo willaims or we will get the veterans minimum. And billups looks good. 23 pts in about 24 mins. Crazy. I hope every night we can get that from him. Also last year clippers wasn’t as good in a halfcourt setting. It just a run and gun team. But now we have cp3 we score a lot more and I can’t wait to see blake and cp3 on the same page. There chemistry isn’t there yet but it will be there soon.

      • RAM

        I wouldn’t trade Mo! he’s in great shape. he worked really hard this off season and it shows. he was very disapointed to find out he lost his starting job but it looks like he’s taking it out on the other team. he’s perfect to run our bench. keep Mo! Trey Thompkins is going to be great! ROY? that would be awesome! not that many teams have two bigs like the lakers. I like the way we handled them last night!

        • avonhun

          I agree. On paper Mo looked like the odd man out, but I think the “Jamal Crawford” 6th man role is something he could excel playing. I don’t love point guards who shoot the ball too much, because its their job to get other guys involved, but as the 6th man he can jack up tons of shots for the second unit.

          • griffin

            Trey thompkins for roy imagine a second rounder becoming a roy winner. That would be awesome. He might make top ten but roy idk that would be crazy and it would be the seconed year in a row we get a roy player. If it does happen though look out for thompkins and blake

  • AlAl

    Thomkins the 3rd will be huge! I love him already. The guy has everything and with just that little bit more confidence (he will certainly rub it off those other guys), he can easily make it into the top 10 rookies of the year! I really like our bench – we have great offensive options off the bench and if Cook can hit those 4-5 shots a night, I don’t think we need another big…maybe Ike, but certainly won’t overpay guys like Dalembert! Mo looks hungry and I won’t trade him for anything right now! Caron seems to be the only person, who needs to get more into this team. He is not used to being the passive offensive option, but I’d say he’s 4th or even 5th option at the moment. Can’t wait for those official games to start and I genuinely feel we are in the run for the finals!

    • ghost_ride

      Thompkins reminded me of a mini LaMarcus Aldridge with that sweet baseline fade-away shot he hit in the 2nd half. All reports looking positive so far with this kid.

      Everyone’s talking about a backup big, but what may concern me the most is what if Caron Butler misses some time? Not sure we can afford to have Ryan Gomes starting for very long, then who would back him up?

      • NRM

        VDN loves that 3 guard line up. I wouldnt be suprised to see him use it again if thats the case.

  • http://clipperblog.com CAKid

    I worked for the Clippers back in the late 80’s after I graduated from high school. Now i live back in Michigan. If last night performance and many more like that are to come staying up after midnight will be real easy this year.

    Go Clipp’s! War On!

  • http://clipperblog.com CAKid

    BTW – You know in the media world today they have top 10 or top 100 best of this or worst of that. That preseason “T” aganst Blake last night would rank 2nd worst “preseaon T” list of all time slightly behind the Grant Hill spanking last year that got him ejected.

    Come on man! We just endured a lockout. They the boys play! It is the preseason for ref’s as well.

    Go Clipps!

  • http://clipperblog.com CAKid

    Typo – It should read – Let the boys play!

  • Average Jose

    Fun game to watch. Lots to be excited about

  • http://Ernie@versantewheels.com Clip4life

    Its about damn time. Some of these guys only have had one practice together, wait til they gel. This is going to be a fun season especially for us that have stuck with our team. Go Clippers

  • AlAl

    Does anybody know why according to ESPN Jake Voskuhl is on our roster? Did we sign him?

  • griffin

    what I loved the most about the clippers last night was the turnovers. Last year clippers would have won maybe like 15 more games if it wasn’t for bad turnovers. We average somewhere around 20 turnovers. Not pretty. But last night just 11 and only had 3 turnovers in the second half amazing.

    • Metal Matty

      Turnovers and crap defense. do not forget crap defense. Luckily, I don’t think Paul will allow that and for sure Chauncy won’t.

    • RAM

      So true! that’s the only thing I don’t miss on Eric Gordon. I love him to death. but he would always caugh up the ball at the wrong time. wish you all the best in New Orleans!

  • clip4life

    Hey were is DEMOTE today, any comments

  • Bongstradamus

    That looked like a video game. I was worried Chauncey would be upset and irritated, but it looks like he bought in and showed up.

    All those who have been griping about the lack of leadership since Sam Cassell left need to no longer worry. You don’t even need to worry about VDN. We have Chauncey Billups on the floor calling plays in crunch time.

    This could be an amazing season.

    • JoeLuis

      Great point! I’ve been sick worried that VDN would mess this one up! but With all the leadership outhere it’ll be hard to do! It was a fun game indeed!

  • Dan S.

    Chauncey and Paul together was beautiful. I was a little worried about that pairing but my fears were laid to rest. If everyone can put aside their egos and focus on their roles we will be tough to beat.

  • Bootstrenf

    that deandre block on Kobe was friggin radical

    • JoeLuis

      That was awesome. Also that first dunk on both pau and bynum! ? I Can’t wait for wednesday’s game!

  • http://www.barmapla.com FD

    Billups looks great with Paul. Olshey did something good in picking him up. Now he just has to listen to what blake and paul want.

    Also, I don’t think VDN really matters anymore. He’ll probably just let them play, which is best.

    • JoeLuis

      Its the same case as the heat! no real coach!.. no problem!..

      • griffin

        Lol I hope wwe get a legendary coach. Phil jackson might want another ring. And that would be the biggest slap to the face of the lakers

        • griffin

          I meant we not wwe

  • NihilistZerO

    Lack oh height in the back court could be an issue. Are the current backup bigs good enough? Definitely could use someone behind Caron with height. Is Kirelenko a real option money wise???

  • Metal Matty

    METAL MATTY’S MUSINGS – (this really should be a regular thread)

    Great game. Very fun. Here’s how the boys faired individually:

    Chris Paul – Looked spry, moving well, great vision. Shot the ball well.

    C-Bill – Looked like C-Bill. How on earth did we get away with this heist.

    Caron Butler – Didn’t get involved a ton but played well. I think he can be a good fit for this team.

    B-Griff – Looked pretty good and drew a lot of attention that led to baskets for others.

    D. Jordan – Played very well. Send both Kobe and Kobe Jr. packing with some pain for thier troubles. Showed just what a force he could be on D if he puts his mind to it.

    Mo – Looked very fit and alive. Percentages not great but he had the look and feel of a dangerous shooter.

    Foye – Randy came off the bench as a gunner and hit his fair share of shots. I liked his energy. In specific, a very nice block defensively helping on the baseline.

    Gomes – Looked pretty good. Did his job.

    B. Cook – Very nice showing from Brian. Battled defensively, albiet outmanned athletically…. picked up some boards and on the offensive end a rutheless gunner who clearly is hell bent on making teams pay for even the slightest cushion. Reports from practice coupled with last nights game seem to indicate you leave this man alone at your own peril.

    Trey – Clearly has some amazing touch for a big. I like the fact that he started with a nice bucket in the post before migrating to the outside. The knock at draft was weight. Maybe he hides it well, but he doesn’t appear heavy.

    THE CALL – As lame as the rim hanging whistle was on Blake, they like to call things such as that tight in the preseason and give a little leway once the season starts so I’m ok with it. Their point is…. be aware that you take your chances hanging and twisting on the rim. To date, I have RARELY seen any kind of rim hanging call during the regular season except when a guy initiates a chin up motion or does a full chin up.

    THE SEASON – Looking awefully promising. Plus, I get to adobt New Orleans as my secondary team and follow them now on nights the Clips aren’t playing.

    • griffin

      I give brain cook his dues. Last year brian cook played well before he went down with an injury and it looks like he picked up where he left off. Cook looked amazing for being cook I thought like most he was a bad signing last year. But he hasn’t proven me worng since then. Go cookie

      • griffin

        I meant had

    • JoeLuis

      Me too, Ima follow EJ. I know he’ll come out with a vengance!!

  • Killer Instinct

    WE NEED TO GET AND GET RYAN HOLLINS

    • Killer Instinct

      WE NEED TO GO AND GET RYAN HOLLINS

  • JoeLuis

    It shows that serious work was put on the offseason. Mo looked good and really wanted that guard role. cookie also looked sharp. Yes cookie!!.. Billups was very impressive which makes me want to ask.. Why did NY let him go? (Crazy!) CP3’s best attibute is that he is such a competitor and will bring the best out of every single teamate! CP3 was slightly out of shape according to VDN. lol can’t imagine him being any better! but he can!!

    i dont want to be a spoiler or anything but.. Quick question.. doesn’t this Clippers team looks somewhat suspicious? I mean .. the way it was assembled.. we weren’t going to give Ej and out of magic we got Billups! i don’t know we might be Stern’s NBA’s retiring fund or he’s trying to send a point to everyone else! i dunno! all i know it that it made us an instant contender behind OKC and Dallas in the west. Dallas is a one man show for the most part but i’ll give them the benefit of doubt.
    FYi I had no problem not making the deal, keeping Ej and co. it would’ve still been a fun team and we could’ve waited a year and try to land CP3. What this trade means is that we got some real leadership outhere and a competitive team right a way! so i can’t be mad at that. Go Clips. and Yes indeed this is going to be really fun for us long term Clipper fans! All 3000 of us! lol

    • Metal Matty

      “Magic”, yes. “Suspecious”, no. From the standpoint the winning bid is a known. If any other team would have bid more, they certainly would have cried bloody murder. …. the real question is… how many teams SHOULD have bid more. K.Brown just got paid 7Mil and we’re the highest bidders paying Chauncy a duce????? Man.. I Love This Game. … but I would love it much more if I were 6’11” with little girlie hands.

  • Jambir

    Its looking like the Minn pick is not going to be quite as good as everyone assumed it would. They are projecting to have somewhere near the 10th worst record. Still a good pick in this draft, but it would make me feel a little better.

    • griffin

      Yeah becuz ricki rubio doing good. I gotta say I like the timberwolves and ill be watching them this season along with eric gordons hornets.

  • DeMote DeAndre

    Paul and Billups were excellent. The big question with them is going to be whether they can do that consistently, Paul because of his knee and Billups because of his age. Billups was an excellent pick up.

    The main problem for the Clippers is going to be that they are relatively small, even at guard which is their best position. Griffin has trouble with tall power forwards, as seen last night with Gasol. Bynum was dominant over Jordan.

    Jordan showed he still can’t score except on dunks. He had six points and 6 rebounds. Bynum had 15 points and 12 rebounds. It was a preseason game so Bynum didn’t keep himself between Jordan and the rim as well as he will in the regular seasons, and so Jordan got three easy dunks he likely wouldn’t have had in the regular season. Jordan is just the same as he always has been.

    It’ll be interesting to see how things are going afte a couple of weeks of the regular season.

    The NBA is a big man’s league, especially in the playoffs. I’m concerned about a game centered on the Clippers’ guards.

    Still, Paul can be super.

  • bongstradamus

    The NBA hasn’t been a big mans league for over a decade. It’s all about athletes and strong guards for the last 6.

    Most players are great at “crashketball”, generating their points through dunks, drives and contact. Thats why there is such a premium on shooters and guys over 7 feet that can walk and chew gum.

    • Matt

      um then how did the lakers win those two titles with derek fisher at pg.

  • DeMote DeAndre

    Dallas won last year with Nowitzki, and Chandler, over athletic Miami,
    the Lakers one the two years before that with Gasol and Bynum,
    the Celtics won the year before that with Garnett (and Perkins).
    the Spurs and Duncan won the year before that,
    The Heat and Shaq won the year before that, edging out Dallas and Dirk.

    Of the seven years before that, the Shaq Lakers and the Duncan Spurs each one three, and the only one of the seven they didn’t win was because Bryant went into his me, me, me, game against the Pistons in the finals and wouldn’t give the ball to Shaq.

    That’s a big man’s game. . . big men who can score at will when needed and can defend against the opposing big men.

    Anybody here think that describes DeAndre Jordan?

    • Metal Matty

      Got to hand it to DeMote. After the earlier non-sense about Jordan. He more than made up for it with this post. YIKES… that IS a lot of good evidence.

    • bongstradamus

      Gasol – PF
      Nowitzki – PF
      Duncan – PF

      All the centers have been defensive minded centers (LIKE DJ, THE GUY YOU HATE). Except for Shaq, but at that time D-Wade ran the team and Shaq was on his decline and basically a role player who occasionally took the scoring load.

      Guess what we have at 4 and 5?

      Blake Griffin – PF
      DeAndre Jordan – C

      You’re also conveniently leaving out the guards on all those squads.

      Kevin Garnett didnt win that championship for Boston, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce did by showing up in the 4th quarter. Who fed them? Rondo.

      Did Gasol and Bynum win the Laker’s championships or did Gasol and Kobe? They havent had a great PG since Magic.

      Spurs? Duncan and Tony Parker with Manu Ginobli knocking down every open shot.

      Dallas? Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd on the offensive end, with stops provided by Tyson Chandler.

      3/4 of those teams are all led by excellent point guards. The other has been anchored by the best SG since Michael Jordan.

  • Pat

    Demote’s logic looks sound, but does it really stand up?

    Tyson Chandler averaged 9.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game in last year’s finals. Does that constitute being able to “score at will”? (Note that D’Andre averaged, what, 7 and 7 last year? Is one more bucket and one more rebound SO MUCH?) Dirk was amazing, but he was on the perimeter as often as he was in the post. And they torched the defending champ (twin-tower possessing) Lakers from the outside, not the inside.

    Obviously Pau and Bynum were a big part of the Lakers’ success, so that holds—except when you note that Bynum averaged 6 points, 4 rebounds in the ’09 Finals and 7 points, 5 rebounds in the ’10 Finals. Granted, Pau was a beast those years, (averaging 18 and 9 in ’09 and 18 and 11 in ’10).

    The Celtics won it with Garnett, yes—and he straight balled out with clutch scoring, rebounding, and mad defense—but Perkins only played about 18 minutes a game in that series. Meanwhile, Pierce and Allen each averaged 20+ points a piece.

    San Antonio. They definitely had Duncan, the best power forward ever. Now tell me who their center was after Robinson was done. Impossible. Because they only had competent, roll-playing centers, the kind who drop 8 and 8 and block a few shots. Sounds like something D’Andre could do.

    Actually, the only team in the last decade to have a DOMINANT center was the threepeat Lakers, with Shaq. (Not counting Miami because Shaq was already past his prime and that was 90% Wade and 10% Dallas meltdown). So other than those Lakers, every championship team has won with a COMPETENT center, not a dominant one. We’ve got an elite power forward, and some elite shooters. And we have a competent, occasionally exciting young center with great reach. Just like a bunch of recent champions.

    • joeluis

      DJ’s numbers will only go up this coming up season and that’s a fact!.

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