Before we get to the full recap, let’s touch on a few things from tonight’s 132-102 loss to the Warriors:
- Total fast break points: GSW 38, LAC 13. By my count, the Clippers had exactly two transition opportunities in the first period where the game was practically decided. Why the lack of transition chances? Well, the Warriors only missed four field goal attempts in that first quarter. If the Clippers’ really want to run, they need to start buckling down on the defensive end. After all, it’s not easy to push the tempo when you’re constantly taking the ball out of your own net.
- The stage was all set. Baron Davis was returning to the building where he became a folk hero with some newly-granted freedom against a Warriors team that begs you to run. How did Baron fare? How about 1-12 from the field, 5 points, and some of the most lackadaisical defense against a pure shooter you will ever see. If there’s anything we should learn from the Mike Dunleavy era, it’s that there is never just one scapegoat — surely no one person could possibly be responsible for tonight’s disaster. At the same time though, this is Baron Davis’ team and his defensive assignment (Stephen Curry) nearly matched the Clippers’ first quarter point total all by himself. We’ve mused on this topic a lot, but it seems more relevant now than ever before: Can a team compete at a high level on a consistent basis with Baron Davis as their leader?
