That’s a pretty astounding collection of talent on paper. So why did they only win 19 games last season? And why are expectations so low for this season?
If the Clippers’ current state is not due to a deficiency of talent, then how do we begin to explain what’s going on? What does it mean to say that the Clippers have chemistry or cultural issues, which prevailing wisdom tells us are the reasons why a team with an excess of talent loses 63 games. More...
This is a preview of Hedgehogs, Foxes, and Clippers.Read More...
Even when they stumble to a dismal 19-63 record, the Clippers manage to keep it interesting. Whether they’re lucking their way to the top pick in the draft, assembling a roster of high-priced malcontents, or deflecting another bizarre story about their owner, the Clips never deprive their fans and observers of stuff to talk about. Over the next week or so, Steve Perrin of Clips Nation and I will explore it all — the rebuilding process (or lack thereof), trade speculation, the trials of Nación citizenship (and postnationalism), Zach Randolph, and the “It’s the Clippers” shibboleth. Here’s our first installment: More...
This is a preview of The Clips Nation-Clipperblog Summit: Part One.Read More...
From Marc J. Spears in the Boston Globe: “Several NBA sources said the Clippers are quietly considering relieving coach/general manager Mike Dunleavy of his GM duties and bringing in someone else. Rumored candidates include former Heat GM Randy Pfund, a former Lakers coach, and ex-Lakers and Grizzlies GM and Hall of Famer Jerry West. If a new GM is brought in, Dunleavy would be expected to remain as coach in large part because he is under contract until 2011. The Clippers have a long list of talent – Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman - but have been one of the NBA’s most disappointing teams this season. As of Friday, the Clippers had lost 193 man-games to injuries and illness, while using 29 starting lineups this season…”
As if it weren’t obvious from the crickets chirping around these parts over the past week, I’ve been away from Los Angeles. I’ve been able to watch the Clippers only in fits and starts on a lousy connection that freezes my League Pass every 90 seconds. This suspended animation produces still images of Andray Blatche looking like a large bug for two straight minutes and, even scarier, of the Clippers appalling interior defense.
If you haven’t been watching Clippers games lately, I can’t say I blame you. But you’re missing out on a 3-point explosion for the ages.
L.A.’s Steve Novak went 6-for-10 from downtown Wednesday night and now is 21-for-34 over his past four games — including the game-winner at the buzzer against New Jersey on Sunday. The past 11 times he’s played at least 20 minutes, he’s made two or more 3s. Since Jan. 19, only Cleveland’s Mo Williams has made more 3-pointers than Novak, which is pretty amazing, considering Novak has played only 21 minutes a game in that span.
In that two-month span, Novak is 77-for-171 (45 percent) from downtown while averaging a 3-point hoist every four minutes. Although he is fairly worthless on defense and can’t create his own shot, his 3s are such a powerful offensive weapon that he’s forced the Clips to play him anyway — he started the second half Wednesday against Washington, and that might be a harbinger of how he will be used the rest of the way.
With one of the highest true shooting percentages (62.9) in the league and a microscopic turnover ratio (4.9 percent of the possessions he’s used), along with his teammates’ dreadful efficiency otherwise (they are last in offensive efficiency), getting him as many shots as possible should be among this team’s highest priorities.
That last point is worth noting and will be an interesting test for Mike Dunleavy and the guys who share the floor with Novak. We’ve seen the Clippers run some effective stuff for Novak — using Randolph in the post to leverage some space, and with Baron up top on the pick and pop. Novak isn’t an easy guy to get shots for. He doesn’t have the speed of a Rip Hamilton or Dale Ellis. The Clippers will have to be creative in their design, and flawless in their execution. For the past week or so, it’s been working, but you have to assume that teams will start preparing for Novak and, in some cases, assigning a sticky perimeter defender to him.
I did not have a chance to see the game, but was able to catch the final play this morning. A couple things caught my attention, though some of them are obscured by the broadcast production, which cut away from the halfcourt for a tight shot on Baron as the Clippers were getting set.
When Novak first checks in, he sets up on the weak side along the perimeter, guarded by Trenton Hassell, who’s a very tight defender. Between that moment and the instant they return to the wide shot of the floor, Novak moves to the near side corner, and is now covered by Robin Lopez.
My best guess — and that’s all it is — would be that Lawrence Frank makes the switch in anticipation that Chris Kaman would be the screen man for the shooter. By having Hassell on Kaman at the time of the inbounds, this enables the Nets’ best defender to switch that screen and pick up the guy who will most likely end up with the ball. As it turns out, Kaman is somewhat incidental to the play.
Eric Gordon comes to receive the inbound pass from Baron. Once Eric penetrates, the entire Nets defense collapses — including Vince Carter [Baron Davis' defender] and Robin Lopez [Steve Novak's defender in the left corner]. Eric’s backward pass won’t win any skills awards, but it’s effective, landing in Baron’s hands.
At this point, it’s child’s play. Baron has a clean look, but Lopez is closing on him and Novak is equally open. Credit Baron for giving up the shot to the more proficient long-distance shooter.
So far as Novak goes, America’s children need to be watching this man shoot the basketball.
