Golden State 127 - Clippers 87 - Pre-season

by Steve Perrin on Oct 9, 2010 4:33 PM PDT in News

Well, maybe the Clippers will convince us to not take pre-season seriously eventually. If every game is either a 30+ loss or a 30+ point win, you kind of have to get off the roller coaster at some point or you'll throw up.

Because I'm trying to take it all with a grain of salt, I'm not going to bother with a big recap. I do have a few thoughts on the game, and on a few other subjects as well.

The Warriors surely wish they could play the Clippers every game. They seem to have massive games whenever they do. Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis combined to shoot 14 for 18, including 7 for 7 from three. That's 35 points on 36 18 shots, an effective field goal percentage round abut 0.97. Sweet sassy molassey.

The Clippers actually led this game 47-46 midway through the second quarter. From that point they were outscored 81-40, in about 31 minutes of basketball, which Ralph's computer like mind tells me is more than two points to one. Again I say, sweet sassy molassey.

Of course, Baron Davis has yet to play, and Chris Kaman took the night off, so there's that caveat. It's not like any of the Clippers had particularly good plus/minus scores for the game, but the bench guys' numbers are particularly eye-popping; Jake Voskuhl -22 in 17 minutes, Al-Farouq Aminu -30 in 28 minutes, and Craig Smith, a seemingly not feasible -32 in 17.

Blake Griffin's line (23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block, on 10 for 15 from the field in 24 minutes) is a fantasy owner's, well, fantasy. But he's got to do a better job from the free throw line, where he was a miserable 3 for 10.

If there's an east coast bias for the highlights at NBA.com, it was not apparent last night. The Clippers made three of the top ten plays... while losing by 40! Maybe they won't be suffering from a lack of exposure after all, as long as Blake Superior is around.

The good news for Clips Nation is that after suffering through three games with nothing but radio coverage, the next two are on TV. Tuesday's game in Mexico City against the Spurs will be on NBA-TV, while Thursday against the Nuggets in Staples is on Prime Ticket.

The good news for the Clippers is that after Mexico City they are done traveling. I'm sure Vinny Del Negro is going to be happy to have as much practice as possible, in their own fancy practice facility, with his young squad. In fact, the get a full eight days between their final pre-season game, Tuesday Oct. 19th, and Opening Night against Portland, Oct. 27th.

The Clippers cut their roster down to 15 today, waiving Jake Voskuhl, Jon Scheyer and Stephen Dennis. Voskuhl and Scheyer were no-brainers. Dennis on the other hand showed an ability to score in the first two pre-season games (though he was 0 for 4 last night). Being from DII, Dennis had little chance to make the team at this point, but he probably played well enough to get on the radar. If he tears up the D-League, don't be surprised to seem him get his shot at the NBA yet.

Assuming the Clippers decide to keep 14 players, they'll have to make one more cut before the start of the season. Twelve players have fully guaranteed contracts and are Heidi Klum safe. That leaves Willie Warren, Marqus Blakely and Jarron Collins battling over the final two spots. Warren has a $100K guarantee and Blakely's is $35K - that's what it will cost Donald Sterling to cut them. Collins' contract is unguaranteed, but VDN has indicated that he'd like to have a third big on the roster. Warren has yet to play in the pre-season, dealing with an adductor strain. Blakely has played very little in the first three games, but I assume he'll get his chance in the coming week to make his case.

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Comments

bullets 5 and 6 are the same thing (even bloggers need a preaseason right)

Another good game by BG, I am not worried about his FT’s that will come along with a more reliable mid range game. Once he gets those down he will be unstoppable.

"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown

by bestclipfan on Oct 9, 2010 4:39 PM PDT reply actions

No they're not

One says that the games are on TV, the other says that the games are at home. Not the same thing. So there.

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

by Steve Perrin on Oct 9, 2010 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess readers need a preseason too lol

"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown

by bestclipfan on Oct 9, 2010 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I really want to see WW play with Blake

any chance of that happening soon? I fear that he will likely be cut along with Marqus to make room for another big (Jarron Collins).

Anyways, I can’t wait to see Blake’s numbers after an entire game. And, it I’m also glad to see that AFA is being somewhat productive with his minutes. If he’s the work-a-holic he says he is, he’ll be a fine player because he has such a great body for a 3. Almost reminds me of durants build or even Gerald Wallace. They say you can’t teach height (or size for that matter).

nice write up Steve Superior

by AtotheZ on Oct 9, 2010 4:54 PM PDT reply actions

Twelve players have fully guaranteed contracts and are Heidi Klum safe. That leaves Willie Warren, Marqus Blakely and Jarron Collins battling over the final spot.

I think you mean “over the final two spots”. I hope that they just go with 15 guys. Should the team choose, it won’t cost a whole lot more to wave one of them later on, will it?

"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT

by SilverClip on Oct 9, 2010 5:34 PM PDT reply actions

I did mean final two

It’s certainly possible that they’ll go with 13, but that would be strictly to save money. I meant either fighting over the final two spots, or hoping they’re not the final cut… it’s 3 guys for 2 spots.

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

by Steve Perrin on Oct 9, 2010 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

looks like blake "superior" is hanging on for life, for blake "the beast" griffin

There can be only one….moniker
It pre-season, were, excluding the last game, the eval worth comes only in small bits not the end game stats. It’s were you weigh the non-statistical elements, nothing else. If you begin to weigh more than what’s worthy, your bound to have unbalanced measurements.

Energy * Focus * No Excuses

by Takebb909 on Oct 9, 2010 6:12 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

35 points on 18 shots SP

Not 36 shots.

And Beast is a much better nickname than Blake Superior.

FA in 2010.

by ClipperChuck on Oct 9, 2010 9:27 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

its not as creative or cheesy as blake superior

But I think we all can agree its quite befitting. He is a beast among kittens, out there.

Energy * Focus * No Excuses

by Takebb909 on Oct 9, 2010 9:49 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

+1

by Kevin Richards on Oct 9, 2010 10:31 PM PDT reply actions

nice knowing you Mr. Collins

Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas

by bacek on Oct 10, 2010 8:46 PM PDT reply actions

First time blogger, long time listener

*Finally made the transition over from KAs clipsblog
*Got my tickets for clipsnation night
*6’0" PG with Lebron-esque passing abilities and strong midrange game
*Gonna start running 2-a-weeks to prepare for the post game showdown

"to picture my life boy you need the highest resolution"

by J.R.Smooth on Oct 11, 2010 7:36 AM PDT reply actions