Clippers vs. New Orleans
by Steve Perrin on Nov 8, 2009 10:32 PM PST
in Game Previews
Email
Print
2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
vs.
3-4 2-5
Staples Center
November 9th, 2009, 7:30 PM
FSN Prime Ticket, 980 AM
Probable starters:
Baron Davis
PG
Chris Paul
Rasual Butler
SG
Devin Brown
Al Thornton
SF
Julian Wright
Marcus Camby
PF
David West
Chris Kaman
C
Emeka Okafor
The Back Story:
First meeting of the season. New Orleans swept the season series last year 3-0.
The Big Picture:
The Clippers have won three straight to run their record to 3-4 after opening the season with four losses. Of course, all the losses came against teams with winning records last season, and all the wins came against teams with losing records. New Orleans is an interesting case - they were 49-33 last year, but they've opened this season 2-5, so it's hard to say if they're a good team or a bad team. Nonetheless, they figure to be a stiffer test than the Wolves, Warriors or Grizzlies. The Clippers have been getting great play from Chris Kaman, with strong support from Baron Davis, Eric Gordon and Marcus Camby. Unfortunately, Gordon is listed as doubtful for this game with a sore groin muscle. That would be a serious blow to the Clippers, as Gordon is their second leading scorer, best perimeter defender, and most consistent player. So far in the young season, the team has simply looked much better with him on the court. If EJ can't play, it will make the climb back to .500 that much tougher, and the Clippers will have to have a strong game from Baron to get there.
The Antagonist:
The Hornets are broken right now. The cost-cutting that led them to ship Rasual Butler to the Clippers for nothing has already backfired, as Morris Peterson, his replacement in the starting lineup, was demoted after just six games. That leaves them playing the likes of NBA journeyman Devin Brown or the very inexperienced Bobby Brown at the two. Still, it's suprising how quickly and how far the Hornets seem to have dropped. They still have megastar Chris Paul and all-star David West, and Emeka Okafor is arguably an upgrade over Tyson Chandler. Frankly, they didn't have much more than that the last couple of seasons when they averaged 50+ wins. At any rate, don't count them out yet, despite their 2-5 start. Last night against the Lakers they were terrible, which may be a bad sign for the Clippers, as they will surely be motivated to play well and erase the memory of that mess. One good sign for the Clippers is that New Orleans has opened the season 0-4 on the road. Hopefully it takes them a little while longer to figure out how to win a road game.
The Subplots:
- If Gordon is out. If Eric Gordon is unable to play, I expect that Rasual Butler will slide over to the two and Al Thornton will return to the starting lineup. However, another way to go would be to start Sebastian Telfair at the point, and slide Baron Davis over to the two. Starting Telfair is a distinct possibility, as he might be the best guy to stick on Paul. Baron had a terrible time defending quick ones last season, but now that he's trimmer perhaps he can do a better job of keeping up this year. Expect both Telfair and Thornton to get more minutes, and there may be a Ricky Davis sighting as well.
- Staples back-to-backs. Does anyone else feel like there have been an inordinate number of Lakers-Clippers back-to-back opponents games in the first two weeks of the season? After Dallas and Memphis, the Hornets are the third opponent to play the Clippers a day after playing the Lakers on the same floor. I always thought these Staples back-to-backs were a relatively rare occurrence.
- Rasual's former teammates. One presumes that Rasual Butler will have a little extra motivation tonight. Not that he can blame his Hornets teammates or even Byron Scott for the fact that the team decided to save a little money on his contract. But players invariably want to do well against their former teams.
- Chris Paul. It's early yet, but Paul is scoring more - a lot more - than he has previously. After seven games, he's averaging 26.6 points per game. His previous season-high was last year, at 22.8. He's also making a lot of three pointers - 13 for 18 so far. It all raises interesting questions: like, how do you stop Chris Paul if he's a genuine three point threat? But more philosophically, is Chris Paul really more effective if he's scoring more? Or rather, are the Hornets better if Paul is scoring more? The early results would indicate no.
- Kaman vs. Okafor. Chris Kaman has scored 20+ points in 6 straight games, a streak 4 games longer than his previous career high if you can believe that. However, several of those games came against size and defense challenged front lines like Phoenix and Golden State and Minnesota. Emeka Okafor is a top notch low post defender and will make Kaman work hard for his points. Still, the way Kaman is playing right now, the Hornets will have to double him even with Okafor defending.
- A more reasonable schedule. After a feast or famine cycle in the first seven games (five games in seven nights, followed by three days off, followed by another back to back) the Clippers upcoming schedule consists of game-rest-game-rest-game-rest-game-rest-game - five games with a single rest day in between for the next nine days. I don't know if it will make a difference for the team, but it will make a difference for me. Writing a preview for the next game AFTER writing a recap for the last one sucks.
- Hornets vs. Lakers. As I mentioned above, the Hornets looked terrible against the Lakers last night. I only watched the third quarter, which I gather was the ugliest of the ugly for NOH, but they looked totally disjoint on both offense and defense. And this was against a Lakers team playing without Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum. Can Byron Scott light a fire under them before their meeting with the Clippers? Or are they really that bad?
-
Movie Quote:
Lightning McQueen, Cars (2006). I've mentioned in this space before what a big fan of Pixar movies I am. However, I think Cars was probably my least favorite of the bunch. I mean, with most Pixar movies there are layers of themes, and an important message for the adults even as the kids are giggling. What was the deeper meaning of Cars? That we've lost our heritage? Is our heritage really Route 66? That's the best we've got?I can't believe I didn't see it before. You're the Fabulous Hudson Hornet! You hold the record for most wins in a single season. Oh, man, we gotta talk. You have to show me some of your tricks.
- Get the Hornets perspective at the Hive.
144 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
if Gordon does not start
If Rasual has to step up to start and also being alongside Al this will be an interesting test. Baron DEFINITELY has to lead or we will fall, with Gordon not playing. I like seeing Rasual as the SG spot, now that i realize he is much better as a SG, and think he will have a game resembling that which he had when he was best in Charlotte. Al will have a good game all around against Wright.
Hello Steve, once again, this is off topic but
Do you have any news how Blake is recovering? It seems like we haven’t heard much about him since the team is playing competitive ball. I was reading all the doom and gloom stories from a couple weeks ago, how the season was going to be a repeat of last. Its nice that we’ve been able to stay relevant while Blake Superior heals.
P.S. Ricky Davis is the man! ;)
They were talking about it on one of the post games...
They said he’s on schedule.
'Cause how you play, is how you'll be remembered. PLAY LOUD!
by CLiPPz WeRD 12 on Nov 9, 2009 12:12 AM PST up reply actions
No details
When the question gets asked, the answer is always a general “He’s on schedule”.
In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd
I don't think they really know...
He had that ultramolecular cellular plasmetoid stuff injected into his knee and supposedly after that whatchamacallit is injected, you can’t really do any activities for two weeks.
We will hear soon enough.
I don't want to jinx it
but I have a feeling that with EJ out, we’re gonna have a lot of problems tmrw.
Lets just hope Baron and Rasual will have a big game.
I think Kaman will score under 20 tmrw against Okafor. Unless Okafor gets injured.
Clippers 09-10. Prepare for a revolution.
Okafor's defense is underrated, I think he will give Kaman problems too
This is Al’s opportunity to step up and show what he’s worth. If Al steps up I think we can win without EJ. If he doesn’t we might have problems.
Bassy
according to Clipperblog:
Sebastian Telfair hasn’t been effective. In his 126 minutes on the floor, the Clips are a -30.
But wait a minute! Isn’t Bassy shooting the ball better than ever, with a true shooting percentage over 50 percent for the first time in his pro career? Well, yes. The Clippers are shooting the ball just as well when Telfair is at the point.
It’s Telfair’s defense that’s killing the Clippers’ reserve unit.
How bad is it? The Clippers give up a whopping 13 points more per 100 possessions when Telfair is on the floor (and more times than not, he’s guarding the ball). On top of that, the team takes a big rebounding hit with Telfair, turns the ball over more and gets to the line less frequently.
Was about to comment
But will go check on Clipperblog first.
by citizen zhiv on Nov 9, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions
Let's also take into account that Bassy is in a less experienced second unit?
How does he do out there with the other starters?
Includes the +/- of various Clipper lineups
Go to the Lineups & Rotations section of the article and click on “The Starting Lineup … Is Unstoppable”. Telfair and Co usually do worse than the lineups with BD in there, except when he has AT and DJ in with him (+5). That makes sense, doesn’t it? Give Telfair a wing who creates is own shot and a center who moves quick, and then we’re just fine. Let’s see this combo more often!
Great work by KA
It’s still a small sample, and KA acknowledges that Telfair has looked good. DJordan’s limited minutes and slow start may be hurting him. The second unit needs to settle in and gel. Just getting started with Thornton coming off the bench, good results so far, but DJordan-Smith-Thornton-Rush/RDavis-Telfair are a good group.
I think we all like a lot of things that Telfair is doing so far.
by citizen zhiv on Nov 9, 2009 12:06 PM PST up reply actions
Bassy has made some jaw dropping passes. I no longer miss Taylor.
by sqrebck on Nov 9, 2009 12:42 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Butler and AT
Our two wings ought to be able to handle the Hornets’ starting 2 and 3, whoever they turn out to be. Reports say that Peja will be starting, and who knows at SG. Put AT on Peja and tell him to stay there.
If Telfair gets minutes against Paul, then I’d like to see Baron go against Collins. Collins was money at UCLA, except against taller and more athletic guys, where he’d then struggle mightily.
Besides the Hornets’ big three, who else have they got? We are BETTER than these guys, with or without EJ.
Collins?
did you mean darren collison?
... we sittin here talking about practice. not a game, not a game.
The Clippers Ship will keep sailing to .500 tonight against a Sub-Par New Orleans Hornets team.
EJ or no EJ CMDSr. will out coach BScott and Kaman will be Swat-en some Hornets with his Fly trap.
DJ will have his way and AT will have a Big Game as well. Can’t wait til its time to shoot over to Staples Center for the Game Tonight.
Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.
You just said...Dunleavy will outcoach BScott...
I give MDsr credit for game prep, vids, set plays etc, but one thing he really seems to suck at is in game management.
Kaman is going to have a monster game
Last night the lakers without no bigs put the hornets away so i think with Kaman and
Camby we should have a field day. I do hope EJ plays. Lets keep it possitive so
now we are going for 4 out 7 win streak. Stay positive my friends.
Notes
Interesting twist, with Gordon going out. Let’s hope it’s just for one game, and who knows, maybe he might even play.
It’s good timing for Al Thornton. SP’s suggestion of the BDavis/Telfair backcourt is intriguing. The guy I’m curious about seeing is Mardy Collins perhaps getting some minutes against Chris Paul. It’s really too bad that Gordon can’t go against CP, especially when the Hornets are weak at SG with BBrown and Devin Brown. What about a CP and Darrin Collison backcourt?
But Thornton has a chance here to play a good game and get some extra minutes. With Gordon so superb at SG, Butler and Thornton are head to head for the SF minutes, and AT is losing that battle. I like the fact that CMDSr moved Butler into the starting lineup, and it seems likely that he’ll stick to it—one of the many great things about the GSW game was keeping the Clipper lineup intact, despite the opponent—, the Clips can build momentum, and Thornton’s minutes are surprisingly limited, as SP points out. So Thornton has an unexpected opportunity, and we’ll see what he does with it.
Then there’s KRush and RDavis. Both of them will get a shot at some minutes tonight, I would think. Again, these are rare opportunities, and the ability of these guys to step up and take advantage should say a lot about their professional abilities. I think KRush is rising and has more juice, and I’m not one to give RDavis any extra minutes or looks, but I’m open-minded about tonight and curious to see how it goes.
And I’ll add that I’m not averse to seeing Mardy Collins out there with BDavis, with Collins guarding Chris Paul.
The Hornets should be tough, much better than they were against the Lakers. SP points out the seeming rarity of multiple Laker-Clipper back-to-backs. Against the Funk we got to see the way that some teams, perhaps Charlotte, would approach such a schedule: chances are you’re going to lose to the Lakers (even with Gasol and Bynum both out, but still). In your head, the winnable game of the two is the one against the Clips, and that’s when a guy like Rudy Gay steps up. That being said, a back-to-back is still tough, as the Clips showed after playing so well against GSW, coming out flat even though the starters rested in the 4th.
New Baron against Chris Paul should be fun to watch. BDavis is going to want to do his own damage and play well. This is a good test for him. If the Hornets are focused, trying to compete and get out of their own funk and start winning games, Paul will play big minutes and keep attacking. BDavis can play some strong minutes against him, but he’ll need help from Mardy Collins or somebody else—don’t know that Telfair can do much against CP.
But I think SP’s idea of Byron Scott figuring out a way for the Hornets to step up bears scrutiny: my guess is that Chris Paul and some of the others are shutting out Scott at this point. He’s not a touchy-feely coach and doesn’t build their good will, and their poor play is a significant test for Scott, who is in the final year of his deal. He could be gone sooner rather than later, and Chris Paul might want it that way.
EJ hurt or not
i dont think he will placed in street clothes for this game. thus the only way Collins plays is if Novak (or KRush or RDavis) doesnt dress.
i think (hope) EJ just gets limited minutes in this one.
hmmm, Novak
Perhaps, maybe, he’d be able to keep up with Peja. In which case, parts of the game could be a real shoot out! Ah, I doubt this will really happen, but I’d enjoy watching it…
Novak should be used in those games, like this one, where his man doesn’t really on power or speed. But if Coach Dun doesn’t see it that way, then Collins probably ought to dress.
Why not?
Why wouldn’t he be in street clothes, if he can’t play?
Becaue I'm looking at the optimistic "doubtful"
and not the “can’t play.”
So if the Clippers are blowing them out, he gets a DNP.
If the clippers are close and need his play, I’m crossing my fingers that he can go for the few minutes he is called.
….if he is in street clothes then its 100% he doesn’t play.
is a sore groin muscle that bad?
Byron Scott
Even as a Clipper fan, it bothers me to hear the Hornets will ignore Scott. I always thought he was one of the better young coaches and hoped someday he’d end up in LA leading the Clippers. He may yet end up in LA, with that other Staples team.
He's too intense
I’ve heard that BScott is a tough guy coach, without showing much sympathy for his players. There’s a fine line I suppose. Scott was a great player who won championships, and he probably took a lot of stuff from Pat Riley. Riley always seemed intense and demanded excellence, but he was kind of a cool dude and had a sense of humor. Plus, as the Laker coach, they were trying to win championships, to get over the hump. In those situations you have to be demanding, but I’m sure he was always humane enough that he never would have alienated Magic. It’s one thing for BScott to demand excellence and be a tough guy, and the Hornets got very close two years ago. But without the right personnel, and when things start to go bad, a tough guy coach doesn’t have a lot of options. There are probably some great things that BScott brings to a team and some things he does very well, but he doesn’t seem to have the finesse to keep a struggling team going. But what do I know. And we’ll see.
I get the "Back-to-back
prove that were aren’t so bad after being stomped by the Lakers" idea…
BUT….
DAL vs. LAL = DAL win
DAL vs. LAC = DAL win
MEM vs. LAL = LAL win
MEM vs. LAC = LAC win
NOH vs. LAL = LAL win
NOH vs. LAC = LAC win?
heck you can even look at this:
LAC vs. LAL = LAL win
LAC vs. PHX = PHX win
…so yes it is a small size, but EVERY team (so far) that has a back-to-back where they play against the Lakers first has the same results:
If you play the Lakers and win, sweep the back to back; but if you play the Lakers and loose, you are swept in the back to back.
today’s game will prove that the above statement is true.
Telfair - BD backcourt...
Is it really wise to put together a back court that cannot shoot a jump shot? I say, shift Sual over and put AT in.
Let's hope we don't see
any dead-ball flops tonight!
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
I think CP3 is over hyped...
He has the ball in his hands 95% of the time. The majority of their offensive sets are one pass catch and shoot plays. If you look at the majority of their teams box scores they have about 22 assists and CP3 has 12 of those assists. This Hornets team doe snot pass the ball well and they have veryu little depth. I doubt they make the playoffs this year.
Now for this game tonight, I think our “bigs” will struggle to cover West and Okafor. If Griffin was playing these players wouldn’t have such a big impact, but tonight they will stretch our defense. The Hornets have every little size of skill at the SG. If Eric Gordon plays he will have a big game, much like he did vs. the Warriors. The key to this game for the Clippers is Baron Davis. Baron needs to stay out of foul trouble and play good defense.
CP3 has the ball in his hands all the time because....
otherwise they would suck horribly. The hornets have no other true point guards and no one who can make plays. Their bench is WEAK and besides David West and to an extent Okafor who are obviously not ball handlers, they have no one to rely on. Of course Chris Paul will have the ball.
CP3 is not overhyped
he’s just surrounded by some terrible teammates. Aside from Okafor and Chandler the rest of the roster is terrible. Posey and Peja are past their primes and overpaid and the rest of the bench is garbage. I’m fully expecting the Blakers to swoop in and offer some of their kiddies and steal CP3 away from the Hornets within the next year.
FA in 2010.
So far as I know
he’s listed as day to day.
by Michael White on Nov 9, 2009 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
He may not be top 3 this year, but he is definitely a top 5 player.
2 years ago he should have won MVP, but lost to hype.
Re: Top 5
I’d have Kobe, Wade and Lebron as the top 3. For the remaining two, Carmelo, Paul, then Howard?
by Michael White on Nov 9, 2009 7:43 PM PST up reply actions
Those are the top players
Melo probably doesn’t belong in the running in year’s past, but he is playing out of his mind right now and is definitely at a top 5 level. I’d say rank Paul over Howard, but most would go with Howard because you typically take big over small.
Thornton passes out of the double team
to Butler. Butler passes up the shot to Camby who makes it. I’d rather Butler be the one taking that shot.
Wow
They are shooting 7/8 from three… some of that is our defense but most of it is extremely good luck.
Hopefully the averages play out.
Thorton needs to stop shooting the lowest % shot in basketball (18 footer) and drive to the hole.
Hate when Camby and Kaman
stand around watching the ball clang off the rim and let the opposing team get an easy offensive board.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 8:05 PM PST reply actions
hornets only up by 7 pts
given all the 3’s they hit….clips are in this game
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 8:06 PM PST reply actions
novak's deep in the doghouse
rush is in the game
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 8:11 PM PST reply actions
Because he is not a defensive liability.
by Michael White on Nov 9, 2009 8:12 PM PST up reply actions
b/c he can't play D
and with this team shooting over 50% and losing by 7+ we need better defense than offense.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions
I get the feeling
that Thornton will be limited to the second unit tonight. Ricky Davis will be playing with the starting unit.
could be
would make sense if he’s going to be with the second unit for the season. Get used to it kind of a thing.
He’s looking better though. Good offensive board and attacking the basket to get to the line.
Ricking also looking sharp out there which is nice to see.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 8:22 PM PST up reply actions
i predict
the hornets barrage will end some time soon and they will go a scoring drought for an extended period of time
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 8:21 PM PST reply actions
ah in and out for AT
Paul unstoppable right now. Someone’s gotta slow him down. Block his shot or something down low. He’s tiny and out 7 footers can’t even alter his shot.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 8:26 PM PST reply actions
How many layups has Camby missed the last two games?
It seems that he thinks all he has to do is throw it off the backboard
"Where would the Clippers be without Sean Rooks?"
why did the clips take a to
when cp3 hurt his ankle?
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
Wow
make the FTs already. What in the world
mercifully over
first quarter was played well, but the 2nd quarter was horrendous
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 8:36 PM PST up reply actions
once upon a time...
the clippers were leaders in free three percentage (05-06 i believe)….
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 8:35 PM PST reply actions
4-5 from 3 point land
Butler needs to close out on him. Our wings need to do a better job of contesting these 3’s. They already have 9 of them, that’s ridiculous.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 8:46 PM PST up reply actions
wow awesome guys, f**king awesome
lets just pack it up and call it an early night.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 8:53 PM PST reply actions
How else would you draw it up?
Kaman can’t.
by Michael White on Nov 9, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions
Oh okay
I thought he meant of the lineup out there, why is Camby guarding him?
by Michael White on Nov 9, 2009 9:01 PM PST up reply actions
oh yeah for sure
Out of those guys Camby is the only choice. But Smith should be getting some burn with Camby playing like this.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 9:03 PM PST up reply actions
yes i meant smith on the bench
camby doesn’t like to come out of the box and just lets him shoot that open shot which is money for him.
i cant recall...
the clippers ever coming back from 20 plus pts the past few years….
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 8:55 PM PST reply actions
if david west can throw a floater and get his own rebound because the defender tripped on his own feet
by whyamiaclippersfan on Nov 9, 2009 9:01 PM PST reply actions
Hoping AT would take this opportunity to bounce back
but hasn’t done so.
I love Al but both him and Buter are killing us.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 9:11 PM PST up reply actions
lakers > hornets
hornets > clippers
lakers >> clippers
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
ricky davis
if ricky davis is shooting good… why cant anyone else… god damnit
How far will NO take this lead...
more than 40?
by LancasterGordon4Eva on Nov 9, 2009 9:22 PM PST reply actions
Might as well get AT out there to either work his way out of his slump
are fall farther down the hole. DJ should as see the entire 4th.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 9:22 PM PST reply actions
eh broken sentance...i'm tired
eh broken sentence…I’m tired. You get the idea.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions
wow how can these guys miss so many FT's?
Really not that difficult to shoot at LEAST 70%.
by dulciusEXasperis on Nov 9, 2009 9:35 PM PST reply actions
i got it...its the Ricky Davis curse...
if RD does good everyone does bad…
its inverse.
Stop
save yourself for OKC game. Wednesday. No EJ? Expect similar things.
Many problems this game
Camby was terrible, Thornton showed why he isn’t a starters, poor rotation Dunleavy was horrible in reading his players and adjusting, overall bad game this team needs to rebound better
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
