As Clipperblog has written before, we like Corey's skills, but he seems to have trouble conforming his style to game situations.  And in the context of this particular series, the Clippers are a half-court team. What you need your swingmen to do in the half-court, particularly those who have speed, agility and can break down a guy like ‘Melo (who will probably draw Maggette if Greg Buckner doesn't) is run his defender ragged. 

I know that I've drawn the parallel at least twice before, but Corey could learn a lot from Rip Hamilton - a player who uses his athleticism and mad conditioning to fight through multiple screens and create open, high-percentage shots for himself. 

Here's a prime example of where Maggette could really help the half-court offense.  He and EB run that terrific give ‘n' go where Elton sets up on the side left post and quickly draws the double team.  Elton passes off the ball to a slashing Maggette, who runs around the double-team, collects the ball, then drives baseline - usually resulting in a layup, dunk, or a two-shot foul. 

Again, what makes Maggette effective here is that he's moving off the ball.  There's nothing wrong with Maggette reading the defense and finding an appropriate spot on the perimeter to catch-and-shoot - provided his guy has doubled down to help on the post.  But when Maggette wants the ball in his hands simply because he's "feeling it," he's a disruption in what's become a rather fluid pick-and-roll offense. 

You're an animal, Corey.  How can you beat Greg Buckner in the half-court?  Let me count the ways:  You could post up Buckner (you're stronger); you could take him off the dribble (you're quicker) - if you run into a double team, pass out (now there's a friggin' concept, Corey).  You can shoot over the guy (you're bigger -- and you don't need to do it from 20, because you have the skills and quickness to get the same shot with more space from 15). 

Corey reminds me of that friend of yours who's already decided how he's going to respond to you in conversation, even though he hasn't even heard what you're going to say.  With Corey's versatility, range of skills, sheer athleticism and ability to slash, shoot and use his size, he has so many options on a given play.  But more times than not, he's already decided what he's going to do before he's even crossed half-court -- irrespective of how the possession is shaping up, and what the Clippers need from him for those 24 seconds. 

So the problem is not that Corey doesn't have skills; it's that he doesn't harness the insane number and range of skills he has.