Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Clippers
7:30 p.m. PT
Fox Sports West Prime Ticket and League Pass
KFWB 980 AM
In an effort to get more balanced analysis so that we don’t turn into (completely) biased observers of basketball, ClipperBlog has extended an invitation to Jeremy Schmidt of Bucksketball.
Which center would you rather have going forward — DeAndre Jordan or Andrew Bogut?
Charlie Widdoes, ClipperBlog: DeAndre Jordan. Bogut is leaps and bounds ahead when healthy –one of the most dynamic offensive centers in the league and what DeAndre aspires to be on the defensive end– but I’ll take the guy who stays on the floor. And the upside. But mostly the staying on the floor.
Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: Andrew Bogut. Really, it’s not even close in the skill and talent department. Bogut’s a better defender, he’s a better offensive player, hell he’s even a better cheerleader (Squad 6? Seriously, how sweet is it that he holds auditions for fans to get seats?). The downside is that Bogut misses games (66 in the last three seasons), but if you throw out the freak 2008-2009 where Bogut only played 36 games, he’s played at minimum 65 games every other year in his career. Injury prone, maybe, but let’s not pretend he’s Kaman (who missed 107 games in the last three seasons).
Jeremy Schmidt, Bucksketball: If I were the Clippers, I’d rather have Bogut. He’s such a phenomenal team defender, he would boost their status as a contender immediately. The Bucks need athletic players who could develop. They need more DeAndre Jordans.
Which coach lasts longer: Vinny Del Negro or Scott Skiles?
Charlie Widdoes, ClipperBlog: Skiles. Vinny is in the right place at the right time, positioned to earn some of the credit that will inevitably go the coach of the Clippers as they ascend to the playoffs. But Skiles is a better coach with a proven ability to implement a defensive scheme that works.
Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: Skiles. The Clippers have an option to extend Vinny beyond this year, but if the team is one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA again (25th in Defensive Efficiency this year, 19th last year), I wouldn’t count on him sticking around very long.
Jeremy Schmidt, Bucksketball: Scott Skiles seat may seem warm after a 2-4 start and last year’s debacle, but he’s got another expensive year left on his contract and an owner loathe to pay out. Del Negro has superstars on his team and huge expectations. If the Clippers don’t look real legit late this season, he could be gone.
Fact or Fiction: If the Bucks hold the Clippers under 100 points on Saturday night, they’ll win.
Charlie Widdoes, ClipperBlog: Fiction. The Clippers may have trouble scoring, but you could also see Chris Paul making things very difficult for Brandon Jennings, who already struggles with his efficiency. Also, Bogut is out.
Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: Fiction. The Bucks have held every team but the Sacramento Kings under 100 points. And their win percentage in those games? 2-3. Definitely not a guarantee, though with the offense the Bucks have, holding the Clippers under 100 is their only chance to win.
Jeremy Schmidt, Bucksketball: Fiction. If only it were that simple for the Bucks. They have the shooting accuracy of a bad guy in a 90s action movie.
Twitter: @charliewiddoes, @bucksketball, @BreeneMurphy
