Orlando 94 - Clippers 85 - Game Recap
by Steve Perrin on Dec 13, 2010 12:57 AM PST
in Game Recaps
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PrintHere are the scoring leaders for the Clippers tonight:
- Eric Gordon - 28
- Blake Griffin - 27
- Rest of Team - 30
Nine guys, playing 157 minutes, managed to put up just 30 points total, on 12 for 38 shooting. There's no way the Clippers are going to beat a decent opponent when the third leading scorer on the team has just 8 points.
It was strange in fact that the Clippers managed to get back into this game at all. They were behind 35 to 14 at the end of the first quarter, and after giving up the first five points of the second, the lead stretched to 26. From there, the Clippers chipped away, getting it all the way down to six with nine minutes still to play. But they could get no closer. I'm not sure how they got that close without anyone other than Griffin or Gordon capable of making a shot.
Perhaps the most amazing stat of the game is that Gordon was +3 in his 41 minutes. In his first stint at the beginning of the game, he was 0 for 6 and the Clippers fell behind by 13. He left for a seven minute rest, and when he came back the team was behind by 25. Once he got a couple of shots to go, the Clippers outplayed the Magic the rest of the way. But the hole was just too deep.
Gordon was particularly impressive given the amount of defensive attention he was getting. He made a series of really tough shots - ridiculous shots really. But since no one else could throw a pea in the ocean, the Magic could load up their defense to stop Gordon and Griffin. The G-Men still managed to combine for 55, but really needed someone else to step up and contribute. Despite the attention, Griffin had his twelfth straight double double with 27 and 16, along with five assists.
Coach Vinny Del Negro went back to a couple of veterans in the lineup tonight, choosing Baron Davis and Ryan Gomes to start over rookies Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu. I've assumed this change was coming for a while now, but I didn't really think it would be this game. Davis responded with a lackluster performance - he had some nice assists, but his shot was off, and he couldn't stay in front of Jameer Nelson. (VDN eventually had to switch Gordon onto Nelson). Gomes responded with a performance that was far worse than lackluster, putting up just 2 points and 2 rebounds in 24 minutes of play.
We said that the Clippers needed to take care of the ball and defend the three point line to have a chance in this game. Well, they actually did those things extremely well. They turned the ball over a season-low 8 times, and held Orlando to 6 for 23 (26%) from deep. But it is kind of assumed that you also need to shoot better than 40%, and have SOMEONE other than Gordon and Griffin score some points. They managed to correct some of their issues - but played an otherwise terrible game, getting killed on the boards and simply missing way too many shots.
The Clippers now head out on the road for three straight after a 1-3 homestand. The realization that they should have been 3-1 on the homestand can't be a good feeling as they leave town.
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Cook is the most consistent player
outside the G-Force. You know what you get: a couple of 3’s and some defensive rebounding. He did a good hack-a-shaq job on Howard.
He seems to be a bargain.
I no longer hate Brian Cook
I just hate his stupid face, now. Step in the right direction, Cookie. Keep it up.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
Cook has played well
but still hate his contract
Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas
cook on dwight howard?
that doesn’t win games, the guy is a one trick pony. Good for 1 or 2 3s off the bench.
wine um, dine um, 69 um
by flightofthegriffin on Dec 13, 2010 7:46 PM PST up reply actions
It is very simple...
If the Clippers don’t get Blake and EJ help, they will stop playing at this very high level of play….Bcuz eventually they will see there is nothing to play for. In my opinion, there isn’t a duo in the NBA playing at a higher level right now than these two. They are putting it all on the line every game. You can see they want to win by how hard they are playing.
I hope the Clippers make a trade and get a veteran that is capable of helping Blake and EJ.
missed watching the game live
so the replay just ended on PT. Clips did a lot of things right, but just can’t seem to do everything well. They improved in where they previously failed, but failed to do anything else right. It does give me some hope though that eventually it’ll all come together.
I did notice that they said Howard and DJ are friends, and that DJ plans to go work out with Hakeem next summer? Sounds like a plan, DJ definitely could use some improved footwork. While he did a commendable job for a lot of this game, seems like DJ needs to improve a lot of fundamental areas (like staying out of the lane for 3 seconds) before he really needs to work on the dream shake. Lets hope he continues to improve (and the Clips resign him) though. At least it sounds like he’s really trying to improve his game.
No BWoG? Nothing comes off the top of my head other than the missed out of bounds call on VC.
We need one more guy for our 'Big 3'...
All of these extra scrubs that we have (Gomes, Foye, Butler, etc) need to go. We need a real PG, not one that we pay $13 million/season to put up 7.4 PPG.
"look, you can find any coach you want, bring him in here and run the situation. But I don't think they are going to do as good a job as I do." -Mike Dunleavy Sr.
Who's the 3rd guy in your big 3?
Kaman?
Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.
by ClipperChuck on Dec 13, 2010 6:56 AM PST up reply actions
I think he is saying we need one more guy to complete our Big 3
i.e., we don’t currently have a 3rd guy
You got it! :)
"look, you can find any coach you want, bring him in here and run the situation. But I don't think they are going to do as good a job as I do." -Mike Dunleavy Sr.
by CLiPPz WeRD 12 on Dec 13, 2010 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
Agree
I am starting to think Kaman’s best when he’s a Lamar Odom type: the guy who you think you can ignore until he starts destroying you with offensive rebounds and backdoor cuts. We should really get a nice scorer or point-forward to complete the picture. Not sure how we get that player, of course.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
Exactly!
Gordon = 24.5 PPG
Griffin = 20.3 PPG
Kaman = 10.5 PPG (injured)
Bledsoe = 8 PPG
and everyone else is below that. We need another scorer! At least someone that can score around 15 PPG!
"look, you can find any coach you want, bring him in here and run the situation. But I don't think they are going to do as good a job as I do." -Mike Dunleavy Sr.
by CLiPPz WeRD 12 on Dec 14, 2010 2:26 AM PST up reply actions
This team is obviously disfunctional....
….and needs to make a trade. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see Kaman being any kind of a savior, he’s so unreliable. Baron needs to retire and go to the next phase of his life.
Why the f--k does Vinny sit Aminu all freaking game.
Gomes doesn’t even attempt to be an offensive player. Maybe his defense is better than Aminu’s but at least Aminu can actually hit 3’s and has no problem attacking the basket. Didn’t even give the kid a shot last night while he bled the team sticking with Gomes and Butler.
by dulciusXasperis on Dec 13, 2010 8:07 AM PST reply actions
AFA can score, which is waht the team desperately needed yesterday.
Proud member of Club FTR.
I think his defensive liability and proneness to turn the ball over gets him out of the game quickly. I like Aminu. I hope he can rectify these things so he can be in the game longer. On defense he looks lost at times and misses his assignments.
But being down 14-40 or whatever it was
shouldn’t Vinny put him in? Clearly the other guys not named Gordon and Griffin weren’t getting it done.
by dulciusXasperis on Dec 13, 2010 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
Vinnie is to blame
Davis is a disease and Kaman should be traded to get help.But Vinnie Del Negro is to blame for his substitutions is terrible.When ever they get a lead like in the laker game he takes out Gordon.The same thing happened in the Sacramento game. The offense has no moment.
Also the offense he has set up is rediculous.
Gordon is being double teamed and Griffin should pass the ball quickly when he is doubled teamed.
Get rid of Davis
It’s a disgrace, They fought back against Orlando and was down 6 points with 9:33 to go. Look at the tape Davis took the next five shots and threw the ball away.He did the same thing against the Lakers.Vinnie when will you learn.
Look at the tape of all the games on the homestand.
Maybe you should look at the tape...
Baron took the next three shots, not five. They weren’t bad shots – he just missed them. The first he had to take as the shot clock was winding down, on a possession that was called for EJ that just didn’t work. Baron took a long bail out jumper at the end of the clock. Someone had to do it. He then missed a wide open three and a layup – both really good shots. I would have prefered that he make them, but he didn’t. He was charged with a turnover in that stretch also, but he certainly did not throw the ball away… he penetrated and passed the ball to DeAndre, who should have had a dunk. DJ missed the pass – why they charged that turnover to Baron is a mystery to me.
Don’t bring your agenda and tell us to look at the tape when you’re only seeing what you want to see. If you’re going to bash people, at least get your facts straight.
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 Dec 13, 2010 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
context and logic?
it’s an uphill battle sometimes Steve
Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas
Agreed
I agree with you Steve. It seems like recently BD has tried to make a conscious effort to take less shots and be more of a playmaker. The 3 possessions were him trying to assert himself because he knew that Gordon and Griffin were the only ones scoring. The shots he took were not “forced” or bad shots, he just did not make them.
The facts
At 9:05 the clippers were down six. After the time out Olando scored. At 8:22 Davis threw up a three.He did not passd the ball to Gordon or Griffin. At 7:62 Davis again misses. No attempt to set up Griffin or Gordon. At 7:26 gordon drove and made a bad pass to Jordon. At 7:13 the Clippers were down by nine points. At 6:54 Davis misses again. At 6:23 Davis misses drive charge is called. Sterling is right Davis is a bomb and has been a bomb since he has been with the Clippers. A point guard is supose to be the play maker for the team. Davis uses everyone for his own benefit. Between Davis and Kaman they make half the payroll of the Clippers.Mean while Gordon has one more year after this.He is making 3 million and does not want to sign an extention with the Clippers. Gordon agent is Bryants agent.. Gordon wants to go to Chicago to play with his friend Rose.The knicks also want him. Gordon father hates Davis. Davis is jealous of Gordon.The Clippers never did anything for Gordon. In his rookie year they didn’t even put out a press kit on Gordon for Rookie of the year. Steve, it’s a shame but Sterling is an idiot and a joke but he’s crying all the way to the bank. The Clippers franchise is worth 500 million dollars. Not bad for Sterling who paid 18 million for the franchise.Trade Kaman and Davis clean house maybe things can change,Vinnie should play the kids at least their inexperience is an excuse.Vinnie should let Gordon and Griffin play and let them tell him when they need want a break.
WOW!
I agree with just about everything you said. Even now, with EJ scoring 24.5 ppg and having scored 20+ points in 20 games and having Blake Griffin on the team, EJ is getting over-looked. It really is sad how few NBA fans know who Eric Gordon, or should I say Eric Gordan, lmao. I see so many people spell his last name “Gordan”, and I also hear so many people say "who is “EJ”? Don’t you mean EG?" Fans outside of Clips Nation have no clue. My guess is that EJ will be the only player in the top 10 in scoring NOT in the All Star Game. Coaches who pick the rest of the players will forget about him, lol. Why would EJ want to play for the Clippers if everything he does gets over-looked?
Where are you getting all this information?
“He is making 3 million and does not want to sign an extention with the Clippers.”
“Gordon wants to go to Chicago to play with his friend Rose.The knicks also want him. Gordon father hates Davis. Davis is jealous of Gordon.The Clippers never did anything for Gordon.”
You state all of these as absolutes and not opinions. Are you related to him or on crack?
related to him would not be the interesting answer
I would like to see “on crack,” it has potential for immense entertainment
Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas
He's not related.
He was very specifically wrong about a bit of the inside info on EJ. It’s not cool when people try to speak as if they have some sort of inside track on information, but they don’t. People who actually have inside info on this stuff keep it close to the vest, because that’s what you do when people trust you with inside info. You don’t go to blogs and post about it. You keep it to yourself. And anyone who doesn’t follow these rules isn’t a very good friend, and won’t be getting inside info any longer.
I won’t say anything other than that I know that Vegas Mike is incorrect about a lot of what he said, and this conversation about what goes on behind the scenes is done as far as I’m concerned. We have to have more respect for the players and their privacy, or we’re just hyenas instead of loyal fans.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
Erik, i may very well be wrong in this...
…but seems more like you are upset that he spoke on this things as though they may be true but not intended for the masses, as to say that if that info was not vehemently denied it could make for an uncomfortable stay for Gordon in the interim.
Energy * Focus * No Excuses
"For [Griffin]getting in the way of Andre Miller’s 40 yard dash?" -Steve Perrin
by Takebb909 on Dec 14, 2010 11:27 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I just don't like people implying that they speak for other people
when they clearly don’t. Speculation is one thing, but stating eerily specific things about Gordon’s father’s feelings on the subject are something entirely different. I want to squash that roach before it starts a nest, ya know?
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
Oh I know he's not related
Hence my crack reference. He’s just another crazed fan blowing steam filled hyperbole.
Clips always do two of the four things they are supposed to do.
Play D, limit turnovers, shoot a good FG%, be aggressive.
They can never do it all at the same time.
Likewise…they can’t get consistent contributions.
Proud member of Club FTR.
I don't know about that last point,
there have been some pretty consistently crap contributions from our bench all year……….
I’m not convinced Vinny is the right man at the helm. I would also look at moving Kaman, not because I don’t think he’s a good player, because I do but having such an injury prone player will not help develop our team. I would have thought he still has a decent trade value so I think we should be looking at what we could get for him, just to keep our options open.
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
The other rooks were playing well (EBled and AFA)
now they aren’t.
Proud member of Club FTR.
True and that is to be expected isn't it.
Rookie years are normally up and down. AFA in particular has shown a higher ceiling than a lot of people, including me, thought possible. Some extra muscle and strength training next summer along with the extra confidence he’ll gain from playing time (hear that Vinny!) should mean he will be a real asset.
Though Bledsoe played well, I’m still not convinced he’s the future at PG. He’s got a lot of talent but hasn’t consistently demonstrated playmaking abilities. Raw speed and talent is great but he’ll need some decent coaching to improve as a player and I’m not sure our coaches will be the answer there.
Other than that, no-one else on our roster, except for Cookie in the last few games, is worth anything.
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
Gomes has actually been a consistent shooter during his career...
and he shows up to the Clips and can’t shoot a lick. Same with Sual.
Same with a lot of players…remember Ricky “Buckets”?
I don’t get it…when shooters come to the Clippers…they forget how to shoot.
Proud member of Club FTR.
I've been quite suprised with Gomes
and how passive he is on the offensive end. He’s the sort of player who probably lit it up against the Clips in the past but now he’s here, he’s not lighting up anything. He’s a decent defender but really hasn’t contributed how I’d hoped he would.
I reckon we’d have turned Reggie Miller into a brick chucker if he’d ever come to Clippertown…..
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
Everyone please do not forget how good the Magic are
Orlando is a top 5 team in this league.
They had extra rest, and the Clips were coming off a back to back.
The start of the game was indicative of the extra rest. The execution at the end of the game is indicative of how good the Magic are.
Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas
I'm upset by the Memphis game...not really by this one.
I’m also upset at Sterling’s heckling.
Proud member of Club FTR.
Also...it's not really the outcome of this game that really bothers me
but the fact that the Clippers had a LOT of open looks that they did not convert.
It’s becoming very apparent that there needs to be another viable shooting option.
I can’t really hate on Neil too much because Gomes and Foye were SUPPOSED to be consistent shooters and players that know their role. Gomes was supposed to be the “glue guy”…play D, make the extra pass, take the open looks and make a good % of them.
It’s just not panning out…let’s see what happens going forth in terms of trades.
Proud member of Club FTR.
Making a trade.
I would love for the Clippers to make a trade to add another scoring option. Preferably someone who can put up a guaranteed 15 points a night with a few 20-25 point games thrown in. It would be nice if the player also added rebounding, defense, or 3pt shooting. My preference would by Iggy but I don’t think the Clips would have enough to offer Philly especially with Kaman hurt. My ultimate concern is that Oshley and the FO are going to sit pat with the team we have and not make any attempt to improve the team this year. I’m afraid they’re going to use the injuries to Kaman and Baron and the potential shown so far by Aminu and Bledsoe as excuses to give the team a pass this year and move to a “wait til next year” approach. Will Oshley have the guts to trade Kaman or offer up Aminu, Bledsoe, this year’s pick, or the Minny pick for a veteran who can help the team immediately and into next year? Will he hold tight on his signings this year and wait for Gomes and Foye to play like he expected them to? My Clipper fandom tells me the team will not do anything and we’ll have the team as constructed to watch for the rest of the year. Anyone else feel this way?
I recall reading somewhere on these boards that this is Olshey's contract year
if that is the case, he has some built in motivation.
Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas
Yep
It was mentioned in a article by Ramona Shelburne. DTS probably isnt a big fan of the ryan gomes and randy foye signings either. Will be interesting to see if there is another change at GM
Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.
by ClipperChuck on Dec 13, 2010 10:40 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I remember seeing that post too about Oshley's contract.
This team has 2 great pieces surrounded by alot of question marks. Oshley needs to fill in a question mark or two. Is he going to put his job on the line based on the performance of Gomes and Foye and the development of Aminu and Bledsoe? I know if it was me I’d be on the phone every day with other teams.
Does DTS have Kevin Pritchard’s number? He doesn’t openly criticize his GM during games does he? You know besides acknowledging that he doesn’t even know who the players they just signed as free agents are.
I'm pretty sure he doesn't know who those guys are yet.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
going out on a limb are we?
Blake Griffin is coming, hide your MBengas
The failure of the "veterans."
When you have a young team like this, inconsistency is to be expected. First and second year player can’t be expected to consistently produce big numbers. They’re still adjusting to the pro game and a 82 game season. That’s why you need to surround young players with STABLE and STEADY veterans. Guys who are leaders in the lockerroom and who can provide a steady balance to the youthful inconsistency.
Unfortunately, this team has inconsistent vets who don’t produce and whose leadership is questionable as well. You can’t find a single guy on our roster who other teams would want for their consistent play and leadership.
If we had those types of vets, it would be a lot easier to weather the up and down play of guys like Bledsoe and AFA. And the team wouldn’t be so desperate for help around Blake and EJ. I think Olshey had the right idea when he went after Foye, Gomes and Cook. He just didn’t go after the right guys. Good intention, poor execution.
Who would have thought that Brian Cook would look the best out of those 3…
I think this post rings true
Having vets on your team is essential to keep the team play on the floor stable, keep the chemistry in the changing rooms good and to use their experience if games start to get away from you e.g. teams making a big run to take the lead or catch you up.
The vets on this team are unable to bring that stability through different reasons. Whether it be Kaman’s bloody annoying injuries (where he is initially out for 2-3 games and that turns into 4-5 weeks) or Baron’s inability to be a consistent leader and roll model for the other players. However, to single out those two wouldn’t be fair. Butler, Gomes and Smith haven’t produced consistently this year either. Hard to judge Foye due to his injuries but having seen enough of him at Minny, I am not holding my breath!
I expect a lot from my vet starters, especially if they are paid big money like Kaman and Baron but you also need to expect consistency from the rotation vets also and we aren’t getting any. This atmosphere and inability on the floor to do the simple things well is not a good learning ground for the youngsters. Some, like Blake can power through it and produce on their own but AFA and Bledose are clearly having a tough time and need some leadership to help boost their confidence back up. I don’t see where this is coming from.
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
Where is Foye?
He may end up missing as much time as Mike Miller, just without the medical diagnosis. Good grief.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
I like the way the G-Force didn't give up.
First chance we get we have to trade or sign a decent point guard that can get us 12 pts
and 7 or 8 assist consistently. This week everybody on the team can be traded except
the G-Force and let’s get some people who contribute day in and day out. If we can’t
trade Baron sit him on the bench and let him rot.
Baron could do that
And we can’t trade him (not even Khan would be that crazy).
Let’s face it: Baron will be here until he is in his last year of his contract.
by BelgianClipper on Dec 14, 2010 3:43 AM PST up reply actions
Interesting substitutions
I was at this game and I noticed VDN putting both DJ and Cook at the same time, covering both the SF and Center positions since Griffin would still be in. Has he been doing this for any earlier games? Seemed like an interesting rotation, going big, probably to compete with the size of Orlando.
I was very upset during the first and second quarters, but pleasantly surprised as they started to close the gap. They just couldn’t do it though. Going over on team fouls in the 4th really hurt as every time we’d get within 9, Orlando would get fouled and go to the line.
I've been fine with VDN's subs
Better than Dunleavy’s, from my perspective anyhow.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
better than Dunleavy's and Alvin Gentry's
…anyone remember how horrible Gentry’s clock management, time outs and subbing was? We’ve come a long way since those days. Its just that the hole was so deep that we are just now getting to the level of passable. In the basement.
Energy * Focus * No Excuses
"For [Griffin]getting in the way of Andre Miller’s 40 yard dash?" -Steve Perrin
by Takebb909 on Dec 14, 2010 11:20 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Ughhh Gentry
Steve Nash makes him look way too good.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
I'm fine with his subs, too
I just thought it was interesting to have both Cook and DJ on the floor. I could see why he’d do that, but I was wondering how common it was for him to do since I don’t recall him doing it in any other game.
He's definitely juggling lineups
Until we start putting together wins, though, I’d prefer that he just get some consistency with these U23 kids.
"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect
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