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It's on Dunleavy

Posted by Kevin Arnovitz on Fri, 01/19/07, 11:00am:

Category: General

In some sense, with Shaun out, I wonder if this is an opportunity to measure his current value to the team. The Clippers are looking at their most important stretch of the season, four home games against teams they should beat at home. The team defense has improved a great deal over the past couple of weeks - away vs. Golden State not withstanding - but losing Shaun complicates matters, because - Mobley aside, and I feel like he's lost a step defensively - the Clips are left with a lot of questionable wing players, Ross excepted.

The Maggette swirl seems to be over, and that's a good thing. For all the problems Corey presents, he's a vital component to the team. An ability to create your own shot is a talent that can't be ignored, even if the creator is a certifiable space cadet. Should he start? Against Memphis, yes. Memphis ain't exactly a floor-spreading squad, and that's where Corey is most vulnerable. Part of being a good coach is playing the hand your dealt. It's really up to Dunleavy to channel Corey's talent and minimize his weaknesses. Coaches like Phil Jackson and Larry Brown have made a career of hiding subpar defensive players. Dunleavy did a nice job of it in the playoffs last season. But he's allowed his frustration with Corey to get in the way of maximizing Corey. And that's on him.

WESTERN CONFERENCE REPORT

Professional Basketball Team	Road Ws	Home Ls	TOTAL
Dallas	14	3	+11
Phoenix	13	3	+10
Houston	12	4	+8
Utah	11	4	+7
San Antonio	13	7	+6
Los Angeles Lakers	8	4	+4
Minnesota	8	7	+1
Denver	8	10	-2
Los Angeles Clippers	5	7	-2
Sacramento	8	11	-3
Golden State	4	7	-3
NOOCH	6	10	-4
Portland	7	12	-5
Seattle	4	9	-5
Memphis	2	13	-11

Comments

John R. wrote:

Memphis should be an excellent test. They no longer run plays. They want to run and transition defense will be crucial. Pau is a force again. Kaman will probably get Phoe-nixed.

Another team for whom scouting is not a premium and the game plan will be fewer lines. Stop Pau with smart doubles, STAY IN FRONT OF YOUR MAN, Mike Miller can hit any shot anywhere on the court. Now go play basketball.

Each individual player should be exposed for what they are on defense. The Truth will be Told. Wait, its the Nets game on TNT. Nevermind.

01/19/07 11:11:04

Dave wrote:

Dunleavy has no choice but to use Corey & maximize his playing time. Mr.Sterling & Elgin Baylor finally applied breaks to Dunleavy's "Express Wish List".

They must be telling him: "Mr.Dunleavy, we know Corey very well. Just like you, he is also part of this club. We pay both of you. Neither of you have any right whatsoever to create hostile environment in our house. We cannot tolerate anymore nonsense. Period".

01/19/07 12:13:47

Dave wrote:

Can't believe it! Mike Dunleavy Sr. was talking to Indiana Pacers regarding Maggette-Dunleavy Jr. trade possibilities!

The guy is just emotionally lost. And intellectually confused! His son is more important to him than his team! And he's short on commonsense and overwhelmed by his beloved Jr's plight.

This man has some serious issues. Is he really capable of coaching this team right now? I don't think so. Is it too late to terminate his extended contract? I hope not.

If Dunleavy Jr. comes to LA for Maggette, even ELTON BRAND would demand trade. Rest of the players would refuse to play(except QRoss & Kaman) for this coach.

And sadly, I'll have to forget about my favorite team atleast for next 5 years.

Hope I am just delusional.

01/19/07 13:10:44

bootstrenf wrote:

i'm with you dave...how would dun sr. explain trading away corey for his son to the rest of the team??? he couldn't, because that trade would be unjustifiable...

01/19/07 13:40:12

pipedreams wrote:

The arithmetic on the NOOCH differential is, um, different. Whassup?

01/19/07 13:54:26

Kevin wrote:

Brainfart on NOOCH. Sorry. Fixed.

01/19/07 13:57:02

Craig wrote:

I would think that Dunleavy Sr.'s son is more important to him than his basketball team or just about anything else, for that matter. But Jr. is doing fine. He just got traded to a new NBA team and it's probably a better situation for him. He has a lucrative, long-term deal that will make him independently wealthy for the rest of his life. So Sr. should forget about the Clips acquiring his son and worry about doing what he's being paid to do...make the Clips into a winning franchise.

01/19/07 16:36:31

basketball training wrote:

I've thought all along the Maggette deal would be tough since Sterling likes him. Unless they got a great deal, I think Donald would be reluctant to trade him.

01/19/07 18:48:06

Dave wrote:

Charley Rosen writes on Foxsports.com;

HANDING OUT NBA GRADES-

The C Team;

CLIPPERS: "Blame the Clippers collapse on the mileage on Sam Cassell's legs, Chris Kaman's penchant for bouncing the ball in tight quarters, the unrealistic expectations projected on Shaun Livingston, as well as the full blossoming of Mike Dunleavy's characteristic Paranoia"

01/19/07 19:10:22

runescape gold wrote:

saw" the game via ESPN play-by-play (sad I didn't ave anything better to do I know)... Looks like Sactown better rethink the Magette for Artest trade (yes I know it is dead...)

04/11/08 19:46:39