Clippers Podcast: 12/20

I think defensive improvements have more to do with the work put in by Blake and DJ over the summer, playing games with other players and developing their chemistry and ability to communicate on the floor. It also helps that we added guys known for their defense during the off-season. Matt Barnes built his career through defense. The things we love about Eric Bledsoe are his defense and his ability to go mach 3 to the basket.

Let’s be honest Tim, how much coaching do you really do if your teams run out to a double digit lead? Does it look like the second unit is running things from a playbook? Maybe some isolated possessions, sure, but thats a transition happy running squad. When your teams is winning through defense moving into fast breaks, there is no coaching. That’s all talent to get the ball and then chemistry to finish it.

Look at how CP3 runs each set. You can see the gears in his head moving. He’s not the guy who is executing a coachs play, he’s the one actively breaking down the defense and making the play. He’s a clock manager too. Hes about the most devious little man to play the game, and I love him for it. He screws with other players heads before and during a game more than Phil Jackson.

But too many people are giving way too much credit to VDN. They tend to forgot we’ve probably got about 5 player who will be head coaches or major figures in organizations once they retire on our squad. This particular team has some of the smartest players to play the game.

Vinny is learning though. He has improved. But hes learning from his players.

This isnt a bad thing. But when looking at this franchise, I can say sure, we have a chance at winning a championship this year. The difference with me is I want to look at this team and think we have a chance at winning a championship EVERY YEAR. I want dynasty, not random lucky shot once a decade. And that only happens when you get a coach who teaches his players, and not the other way around.

Vinnys great at charging his guys up, hes good at empathizing and realizing where his players are at in a game and the pressures associated with those moments. He is a players coach. But he is not a tactical coach. He’s going to coach like a scrub ass reserve against Gregg Popovich because he was a scrub ass reserve for Gregg Popovich. Like they said, its the difference between checkers and chess.

We’re winning fast paced checkers games. No problem. It’s when we’re playing chess that our coaching is exposed. Playoffs and championships are more chess than checkers. I want to look at the sideline and know my coach is going to know how to bring you back from a 6 point margin with 39 seconds in the 4th quarter, 5 fouls on your superstar, a cold 3 point shooter and can tell how each possession has to go to get you there. Thats not VDN. It wasn’t Mike Dunleavy and the Ice Cold Novak. That’s the Van Gundy’s and the Sloans and the Jacksons pulling you out of that mess.