Clippers at Chicago - Game Preview
by Steve Perrin on Feb 1, 2010 11:03 PM PST
in Game Previews
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Print| 2009/2010 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
vs. |  |
| 20-27 | 23-22 |
|
| United Center |
||
| February 2nd, 2010, 5:00 PM | ||
| FSN Prime Ticket, 980 AM |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Baron Davis | PG | Derrick Rose |
| Eric Gordon | SG | Kirk Hinrich |
| Rasual Butler |
SF | Luol Deng |
| Marcus Camby | PF | Taj Gibson |
| Chris Kaman? |
C | Joakim Noah |
The Back Story:
January 20th, 2010 in LA - Clippers 104 - Chicago 97 - Recap Box Score
The Big Picture:
"This trip will probably determine how the rest of the season goes." That is the last line from the game recap I wrote after the Clippers beat the Bulls two weeks ago. That was the team's get away game, and with a decent win over the Bulls and a resultant 19-22 record, there was at least reason to hope for a semi-successful road trip. Six games in, the Clippers are 1-5 on the trip, and I pray that I'm wrong that it will "determine how the rest of the season goes" (but I fear I am correct). Honestly, the Clippers have not looked good a single game of this trip. They didn't so much win in Washington as the Wizards lost. Eric Gordon missed the first three games, and might as well have missed the last three. Chris Kaman has missed the last two, but wasn't sharp in the ones he played. Marcus Camby continues to rebound well, but has done little else to help, shooting 15 for 44 on the trip, with some real clunkers thrown in along the way (he's been nursing sore ribs the last few games). Rasual Butler has gone from missing everyting in November, to making everything in December, back to missing everything again in January. He's 9 for his last 39 from three point range. Only Baron Davis and Craig Smith have been particularly good this trip, and they can't win games alone. 1-7 would be a disastrous result for a team that still had visions of being a playoff trip when this trip began. But if they don't figure this out quickly, that's the result they're going to have.
The Antagonist:
After the Bulls lost to the Clippers Jan. 20, their record was 18-22, and the Clippers' record was 19-22. Thirteen days later, the Bulls have won five straight to move to 23-22, while the Clippers have lost five of six and languish at 20-27. It just shows what a five game win streak can do for you. Now, you may say that it would have been unrealistic to dream that the Clippers could have won five straight on this trip - but I would submit that it would have been no less realistic than the winning streak the Bulls have reeled off. After starting their own season-long seven game road trip with losses in Oakland and LA (against the only two opponents on the trip with losing records) it looked much more likely that the Bulls would lose seven straight against the likes of Phoenix and San Antonio and Houston and Oklahoma City and New Orleans. Instead, they suddenly started playing their best ball of the season. Derrick Rose, newly selected to the All Star game, has averaged almost 25 points per game during the win streak, while shooting 55%. But really the Bulls have been winning with their tenacious defense. During their win streak, they held four of the five opponents at or under 40% shooting, while the Spurs only managed about 42%. That's some good defense. So what happens when a team playing great defense, routinely holding their opponent below 40%, runs into a team that has been ice-cold on offense, routinely shooting less than 40%? Is sub-30% out of the question for the Clippers?
The Subplots
- Chris Kaman - Third time's a charm? Kaman has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle. And although the team should be capable of playing competitive basketball without him, they've proven time and again that in fact they aren't. For whatever reason, they are exceedingly fragile, and seem unable to play effectively if any of their guns are missing. The team is 0-6 on the season when Kaman doesn't play. So let's hope he plays tonight.
- Vinny Del Negro. Nothing like a five game road winning streak to give a coach a little job security. I'm sure that Del Negro is now off the hot seat - that is until they lose a couple of games in a row. As for MDsr, he's got heat resistant suit pants, so his seat never gets hot. Must be nice.
- Home court advantage. The Bulls are returning home from a wildly successful 5-2 west coast road trip. But they're still a much better home team. They're 14-7 at home compared to 9-15 on the road. On a major roll, returning home for the first time in over two weeks, playing on three full days of rest - the Bulls figure to be flying high for this one. Maybe not 46 points in the first quarter high, but who knows.
- Noah on Kaman. We don't know if Kaman can play, but if he does this is an intriguing matchup. Before the last game I surmised that Kaman would have too much size for Noah. I was wrong. Frankly, in the half court sets, Noah took Kaman out of the game. It didn't help that Chris missed every single jump shot he took. For Chris to be effective, he'll have to make some jump shots, and also get to the line. He actually did that well in the first game, but had trouble once he got there, shooting 6 for 11.
- Bad offense meets good defense. In the first game, the Clippers scored 24 fast break points, but had difficulties against the active Bulls defense in the half court. The way they've played offense on this trip, this could get really ugly. If they can get some stops, and get out and run as they did in the first meeting, it will help a lot.
- Baron on a roll. Since half time in Minnesota, Baron Davis has played his best basketball since becoming a Clipper. Unfortunately, his team was already behind the Wolves by 20 in Minnesota, and spotted the Cavs a 26 point first quarter lead in Cleveland. It would be more fun to see him take over a game that the Clippers actually have a chance to win. One gets the impression that Baron is more than a little peeved at the ineffectiveness of his teammates that last couple of games. Can he get his teammates to step up? Can he keep up this level of intensity without them?
-
Movie Quote:
Hedley Lamar, Blazing Saddles (1974). I've re-watched some of the old Mel Brooks classics with my 13 year old recently (much to the ClipperWidow's chagrin - not the most PC movie, Blazing Saddles), and I have to say this one didn't really hold up. I liked Young Frankenstein, and thought it was still funny - but Blazing Saddles just didn't work anymore.I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, bull dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, s**t-kickers and Methodists.
- Get the Bulls perspective at Blog a Bull.
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im sick of the clip bullsh*t...
Today, finally I realized something. Since 1994, my first Clips game vs. the 76ers (Novacek killed us!!! ), I developed a love for the Clippers that they have never, I mean NEVER, NEVER NEVER Ever reciprocated!!!!! OK MAYBE 2006, BUT Cassel with the 8 second count and Dumbleavy with the D. Ewing sub killed that. When are OUR L.A Clippers ever going to step up and stop with all the excuses, self-loathing, and bull-s*it. Every other team in the league finds ways around injuries and the lack of a cohesive squad to at least compete for a playoff spot……each year, the team starts with optimism only to quickly lose all steam due to ONE, and I do mean ONE player being out (EXAMPLE KAMAN THIS YEAR, THE TEAM HAS SUCKED THE BIG ONE THIS YEAR WHEN HE OR GORDON HAS BEEN OUT). IM SICK OF DISHING out MY HARD EARNED CASH EACH YEAR TO WATCH THE CLIPS LOSE TO INFERIOR COMPETITION!!!!! I have coached high school basketball for over 11 years and on several occasions this year have felt my team (who do not get payed to play) have given more effort than the Clips have. I am pissed off beyond belief at the fact and ever since Blake went down for the year, THE TEAM HAS MAILED IT IN AND NOW ARE ABOUT AS EXCITING TO WATCH AS ME SITTING ON THE TOILET…IM SERIOUS…YOU ALL CAN HATE ME!!! HOPEFULLY, OUR CLIPS WILL RALLY AROUND YOUR HATRED TOWARD ME….PLEASE GET ANGRY CLIPS BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HATED US, AND I CONSIDER MYSELF PART OF THE CLIPNATION BECAUSE I HAVE WATCHED MORE BLOW OUT LOSSES THAN I CARE TO TALK ABOUT…I HAVE TO MUCH PRIDE TO GIVE UP, BUT I FEAR THAT THE L.A. CLIPS ALREADY HAVE…..PLEASE OH PLEASE CLIPPERS, WOULD YOU CARE AS MUC AS I DID….
SINCERELY,
A SAD L.A. CLIPPER FAN.
here's hopin ej
steps it up against Rose and carries the team to a victory
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
I'd say he's taken a definate step back this year.
Not massively but his shot is nowhere near as consistent as the second half of last season. Maybe defenders are getting tighter but I’ve seen him miss loads of open looks this year.
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
Not really
If you look at Gordon’s shooting stats, they are very comparable to last year. Overall from the field 45.9% this year to 45.6% last. 3 point shooting down to 35.6% from 38.9%. 2 point shooting up to 52.7% from 49.6%. Scoring up slightly to 16.7 from 16.1. Minutes played up 1 minute per game. No question, foul shooting down to 72% from 85% which translates to 0.6 points per game. So, your statement that he’s missed loads of open looks this year doesn’t fly based on Gordon’s full body of work. Recently, no question that he hasn’t shot well. After watching just one quarter of play versus Cleveland and LBJ, think of the better looks he would get in their offense from feeds by LBJ and Shaq.
Free throw shooting is the killer
And its the main reason his TS% dropped (but you are right it hasn’t gone down that much)
TS% 2008-09: 59.3%
TS% 2009-10: 57.4%
Peoples opinion of Gordon appears to be pretty volatile. I agree that a few people overrated him last year, but now it seems like everybody is cracking down hard on him around here (and that might have to do with a certain commenter who has rubbed people the wrong way.) He doesn’t compare favorably to Baron this year, but Baron is playing great basketball so that’ not a really fair comparison. Gordon is still the best wing (nobody at SF is even close) and Gordon missing stretches this year to injury (and having a pretty slow return) hasn’t helped people’s perception. He didn’t improve, but I wouldn’t say he regressed much either. His PER is slighty better (if statistically insignificant) at 15.0 compared to 14.9 for the prior year. This is due to his dropping his turnover rate and higher rebound and assist rate (though again these numbers are so close to the prior year that its barely worth noting.) Basically he is the same player he is last year, which is fine by me. He’s still young, there are better options on the floor this year in Baron and Kaman while there was really only one better offensive option last year in Randolph who missed a bit of time himself. Otherwise, Eric Gordon was the offense last year. People probably had too high of expectations for Gordon coming into this season.
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 10:39 AM PST up reply actions
Gordon (continued)
I’m a newbie to this site but it would seem as if some apply a double standard to Gordon and BD. No question, BD is playing better this year. He’s shooting better because his shot selection is improved. He’s shooting fewer times and has cut back on 3 pointers. His effective FG % is 48.6% versus 47.3% last year. 3 point 28.2% vs 30.2% last year. 2 point 45.3% vs 40.6%.
No question that Clips fans rightfully lost their patience some years ago. At the same time, I think it’s pretty foolish to rip 2nd and 3rd year players like Gordon and Thornton. It takes time to adjust to the NBA game and to figure out how much game a player has.
Re: Thornton
I think Thornton is fair game to be “ripped.” His age somewhat requires it. Gordon, despite producing at a mucher higher level, is much younger and should be given much more latitude.
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
You sound like Hollinger
Which if anyone cared would cause some flameouts. Difficult to do at this point since it’s pretty obvious that (a) MDSr doesn’t know how to maximize his talents; (b) he isn’t that good as Hollinger predicted way back when; or © some combination of the above.
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
by Jax on Feb 2, 2010 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
Who are we talking about? EJ or Thornton?
Don’t know what you mean by “I sound like Hollinger.” I do read my fair share of Hollinger, but I’m not sure what you meant by that. Is he hard on Thornton as well?
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 2:07 PM PST up reply actions
Sorry
Before Thornton was drafted Hollinger severely discounted his value compared to everyone else based in large part on his age
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
by Jax on Feb 2, 2010 9:37 PM PST up reply actions
AT is disappearing
Al Thornton has been flying under the radar, he is healthy but not doing much to help the team win games this season, usually a third year pro is capable of carrying the team, most comments not even included him in the future plan,
I hope he’s the role model the younger guys look up to,
by Pats fan in CA on Feb 2, 2010 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
You're right about Thornton
You’re right and I’m wrong about Thornton. He’s a four year college guy now in his 3rd pro year. So, he’s had lots more time to develop than Gordon, who spent one year in college and now in his 2nd pro year.
Are people really "ripping" EJ?
Is it ripping if we say something negative? I don’t really think so. And you can hardly claim some kind of double standard in favor of Baron. If there’s any player who’s been ripped around here, it’s him.
The fact is, EJ hasn’t improved substantially from last season. That much is indisputable. Coming into this season, we were expecting some kind of jump in his game and it didn’t happen. That doesn’t mean he’s a terrible player, it just means his play this season is somewhat disappointing.
I don’t think anyone is calling for him to be traded though. He’s still very much a part of the future with Blake.
Your stats don't back up your point
Or more specifically, it doesn’t dispute UK’s point. You’re saying his shooting stats are comparable to last year and somehow that means that UK’s observation that he’s missed a ton of open looks is wrong? That doesn’t logically follow.
The stats you presented are general and don’t at all speak to whether he’s missing open shots. In fact, the fact that his 3 PT shooting percentage is down lends some slight support to UK’s point.
EJ’s shooting number could remain the same if he’s making more contested shots or more layups, while missing more wide open 3s. I’m not saying that is in fact the case, I’m just saying that none of the numbers you posed have any relevance to UK’s comments.
Stats (continued)
Let’s look at the stats. I would suggest 82games.com as a good source of data instead of opinions based on gut feel and recent memory. 82games.com breaks down shots as jump shots, close, dunk & tips. Outside shots are jump shots; close, dunk & tips are inside shots. Gordon’s effective field goal average for jump shots is identical 50.2% this year and last year. Close in is 62.5% this year and 58.4% last year. As Michael White pointed out, the big differential in shooting for Gordon this year versus last is free throw percentage. While I don’t have statistics for how many open looks he’s had this year versus last, my guess is that he’s had fewer open looks on the 3 this year because teams know to cover him weakside. If you have actual data or know where to find it, please share.
So basically you're guessing too
That’s my point. I don’t have stats about missing open looks. Neither do you and neither does UK. Again, that’s my point.
The difference is that I never claimed to have any stats. You did. UK made a comment that based on his observation, EJ has missed a ton of open looks. You come back with a bunch of stats that simply don’t apply to his comment.
You start your post by saying you want to look at stats and not “gut feel and recent memory.” Yet in the end, you have no choice to admit that your stats don’t apply because they don’t break down open looks. So what do you end with? “MY GUESS is that he’s had fewer open looks…”
So basically, you’re GUESSING he’s had fewer open looks and UK thinks he’s missed a ton of them.
At best you guys are at a stalemate. I’m not saying he’s right. I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m saying your stats add nothing to this specific debate.
I just hope that MDsr. gets locked in his Hotel Room and misses this game tonight.
That way BrickSoolButler won’t start and get 40+ minutes and we may have a Slight Chance at a “W”
Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.
i kinda expect a win tonight
Chicago has been streaking, but in many ways they remind me of a slightly better, eastern version of the clips: a bipolar underachieving team that will disappoint for a while, causing everyone to complain and jump off the bandwagon, then will have a game or streak of inspired play that lures everyone back in, just to dash everyone’s hopes again the minute they started feeling good about things. They’ve been doing so well, this is the perfect game for them to slip up and frustrate all their fans.
by Joe Wolf's Mullet on Feb 2, 2010 10:25 AM PST via mobile reply actions
I had the opposite experience Steve...
I watched Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein with my 13 year old, and he did not get much of the humor in Young Frankenstein. After watching, I realized that he had never seen a monster movie, and that it was probably his first black and white, too.
I laughed at Young Frankenstein, but we both laughed at Blazing Saddles.
remember the last time we played the Bulls?
I expect a completely different game… in a bad way
Well I know the fans of the Clips
don’t want to hear this, but your team will be 20-28 at the end of this one. I can somewhat understand your agony as my beloved Bulls were terrible to start the season. Our best player D-Rose was hampered by an ankle injury and we just weren’t scoring. But this improbable(and historic, no NBA team has ever won five in a row on the road against teams with winning records)awesome win streak has the Bulls playing so confidently. Over 20,000 @ the United Center welcoming back our Bulls. Yeah….we got this.
Stacey King-- "Ok, go ahead and roll it"
Ya, it really bums me out that a fan of the team the Clippers are playing tonight things the Clippers will lose. I’m shocked. Shocked!
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions
What a great stat
Now everyone knows that the Bulls are the first NBA team ever to win five in a row on the road against teams with winning records!
I don't understand how no team has ever done this before?
Michael Jordan’s Bulls never beat five teams with winning records in a row on the road??
"Buckle your seat belts, folks. This one's doing down to the wire." -The inimitable Ralph Lawler.
by Gordon for President on Feb 2, 2010 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
Probably just a scheduling quirk. How many times has a team had a chance to win 5 road games in a row against teams above .500 ?
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
Haha, oh come on
let’s not be delusional here. True, I am a hardcore Bulls fan, but your team is reeling right now. I would not be so sure of the win if both teams were playing similar but the Bulls are clearly playing better basketball. Also, I can go post comments wherever I want. You’re welcome to do the same on Blog-a-bull. What is this Russia?
Stacey King-- "Ok, go ahead and roll it"
I don’t personally have a problem with fans of other teams coming around. I just found it a bit laughable that you said, “you guys don’t want to hear this” as though you were in possesion of a crystal ball which already guaranteed a victory for the Bulls. You are a Bulls fan, and we are Clipper fans, and the game is being played in Chicago. It’s not a huge stretch to think the Bulls will win this game, but the matter of fact way you posed the information I found a little silly.
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 2:34 PM PST up reply actions
there's not a problem with you posting here
i mean is not as if you were a laker fan
No problem Mike Wr
although I feel your comment is dripping with sarcasm.
Stacey King-- "Ok, go ahead and roll it"
Made with a smile
I have the NBA season ticket package and watched the Bulls play several games on their recent road trip. They are playing great basketball now. Looking back, they turned the corner 4th quarter against the Clips when they came back from a big deficit to make it close. So, I give your team props for playing well. Even Brad Miller stepped up big time when Joakim was out and helped them win a biggie.
Clipper Fan: I feel pretty good about the game tonight.
Bullsarenumber1: Guys, you don’t want to hear this, but the Bulls will win.
Clipper Fan: They will???? Man, I really didn’t want to hear that. Best not to think about it any longer. A guy who thinks the Bulls are number 1, think the Bulls will win tonight.
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
We will see
It is two hours before the game, we will find out.
If the Nets can beat the Clippers, likewise, the Clippers can beat the red hot Bulls too, anything can happen on the court.
Haha! Hilarious!
The crystal ball thing was funny. As was that mini-script thing Michael White wrote. Fine, whatever. Should be a good game. Go Clips…
Stacey King-- "Ok, go ahead and roll it"
haha
honestly, I think the guy was just looking for a little good natured trash talk before the game.
Sorry Bullsarenumber1, Clips fans are a bit cranky nowadays given how crappy our team has been. Trash talk just feels like an additional kick in the nuts.
It's funny
The guy didn’t bother me, and I like how we all rallied and gave him a shot or two. It felt like a team-building excercise for us. It’s nice to take a break from going at each other to going at a Bulls fan…
by Michael White on Feb 2, 2010 2:47 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, our nuts were batted
around for a while too. Sucks about Blake Griffin. He was like your guys’ Derrick Rose. I was looking forward to seeing the impact he would have made on your team.
Stacey King-- "Ok, go ahead and roll it"
according to Ralph
Kaman will give it a go!….
http://www.clipsnation.com/2010/2/2/1289682/ralph-lawler-looking-to-me-like
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
PLAYOFFS? YOU TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS??
Assuming the bench mark is 45 wins the team would have to go 25-10 the rest of the way (60%). Considering we have no help on the way I don’t see how this is even remotely possible. At this point I’m going to be keeping an eye on Xavier Henry and Al-Farouq Aminu and hope we can snag one of them in the draft.
FA in 2010.
Unless we get lucky again
we’ll probably be picking between 9-11. We’re currently 10th ahead of Milwaukee and behind NY. I don’t see any of the teams worse than NY getting much better or the Clips getting much worse.
It’s still way too early of course, but so far it looks like Al-Farouq might go much higher than that. Henry might be possible.
I too will start looking at who the best SFs are in college.
Sad thing is
being in the late lottery rarely produces stars. But the good thing is that off the top of my head I can think of a few studs who have dropped and they happened to be SFs (Paul Pierce, Rudy Gay, Danny Granger).
Funny thing is
That this team has the talent to make the playoffs.
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
by Jax on Feb 2, 2010 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
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