Nba Summer League - Clippers Game 4
by Steve Perrin on Jul 17, 2010 5:00 PM PDT
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PrintThe Clippers lost their first two Summer League games here in Las Vegas by 26 and 29 points - and neither of thenm were as close as the final score would indicate. After getting chewed on by head coach Vinny Del Negro on Thursday morning (presumably for failing to play the right way), they had a better showing in beating the Blazers Thursday night. It was still an adventure, don't get me wrong. The Clippers managed to give away all of a 20 point lead, succumbing to some pressure defense in the fourth quarter in particular. The Clippers threw away passes in the backcourt on three separate occasions in the fourth, and would have lost the game had Luke Babbitt not missed a late free throw and a bunny at the final buzzer.
Of course, "it's only Summer League" and there's not much point in getting too excited about a win, nor too depressed about an inability to handle pressure. After the game Neil Olshey told me that they want to see improvement, and the Clippers wisely left plenty of room for that with their first two performances.
Rookie point guard Eric Bledsoe was much more under control on Thursday. After turning the ball over 17 times in the first two games, he reduced that to three in the third. Unfortunately, along with the turnovers, also missing from his game were the brief flashes of brilliance we saw on Monday. That's actually OK - he has to harness his speed, and the first step there is staying under control. One thing I want to point out about his Las Vegas stats - he has 13 rebounds in three games from the point guard spot - they Clippers could definitely use a boost on the boards from the backcourt.
Fellow rookie Al-Farouq Aminu continues to play well, if not exactly spectacularly. He's shown a better handle than I expected (though he's also tried to do too much a couple of times). He's only made a quarter of his shots here, and has a long way to go as an NBA scorer. But in that regard, he'll actually be in a better environment on the Clippers regular season squad than he is here. He'll be the fifth scoring option, shooting layups and put backs, when the regular season starts. As the first option here he's being asked to score on isos and clear outs - his game just isn't there yet. But when he has shot his jumper without hesitating, he's actually looked OK. He'll get better with more work on his mechanics, which are a little shakey right now.
DeAndre Jordan may never have an offensive move to call his own (other than catching lobs), but when he's blocking shots and rebounding as he was on Thursdays, he's a real live NBA rotation center.
Marqus Blakely was the surprise of game three. The undrafted Vermont product was in the starting lineup with Nik Caner-Medley sidelined with abadly sprained wrist. Blakely is probably the best athlete on the roster, which is saying something since several of these guys are big time athletes. He's got crazy long arms, whcich he uses to be disruptive on defense, and he runs the lane on the fast break like a gazelle. He brought some intensity to the Clippers on defense and on the offensive glass, and he has a real chance to make the team in Novemvber. He's already got his camp invite. Funny thing is, Blakely is a 6'5" guy who played power forward in college. I'm not sure who you would have called the 3 and who the 4 when he and Aminu were on the floor together. And a little disappointingly, Aminu wasn't on the floor at all for the finish,as the Clippers went small with Blakely at the four and Jeremy Richardson at the three.
The jury's still out on Willie Warren. He's shown the ability to knock down open shots, and he's played respectable defense. But he hasn't done much else.
Sitting so close to the baskets, I can tell you there is a lot of contact on every play. The Clippers have done a terrible job finishing plays around the rim, which shows in their 36% shooting percentage here. Everything has been a struggle on offense, the only easy baskets coming on fast break opportunities.
The Spurs squad features Alonzo Gee. Kevin featured him prominently on his TrueHoop SL post on Thursday.
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Mike Fratello in the booth...
we’ll see how this goes.
by vaughtfromhisspot on Jul 17, 2010 5:23 PM PDT reply actions
I'm glad, I was tired of hearing Webber do our games.
by Lawler 4ever on Jul 17, 2010 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions
which logo?
MDsr used to wear one with the old SD sailboat logo….
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 Jul 17, 2010 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
oh that
still seeing plenty of those… clippers haven’t exactly done the best job with the changeover on that branding
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 Jul 17, 2010 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Clips are cheap that way
they’ll probably give those old logo shirts away opening night instead of making new shirts.
Time out after 14 seconds
Not sure what the spurs coach saw that he didn’t like.
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
Meyers in the intro: "Clips have a chance to make some noise this year. Not something you could say 4-5 years ago"
Um…Clips went farther in the playoffs than the Lakers 4 years ago
awesome addiiton
I’m like Del Negro’s assistants, quality guys.
Iavaroni
Is sitting next to Neil Olshey in the stands right now
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 Jul 17, 2010 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Aminu Acid being active...
keep it up
by vaughtfromhisspot on Jul 17, 2010 5:32 PM PDT reply actions
AFA needs to work on his handles
2 TO’s trying to break guys down off the dribble
by Raining Buckets on Jul 17, 2010 5:37 PM PDT reply actions
Can we expect extended minutes for MBFGC?
by vaughtfromhisspot on Jul 17, 2010 5:40 PM PDT reply actions
in all honestly....
if deandre only develops into a big jakim noah, id be perfectly happy with that. He just needs to get his FT’s up to 70% (doubtful)
if he only?
joakim noah is a borderline all-star. I’d be ecstatic if he turned into a poor man’s noah
Noah's only an all-star because of his hustle. He has pretty limited skills.
I think DJ could get much better if he put in that kind of hustle. But you can’t teach hustle, unfortunately.
BG seemed to bring out the hustle in the rest of the team last year, so maybe he can continue that trend.
Noah's "skills" are underrated
Rebounding, setting good screens, playing good post/help defense, and hustle = all skills
Well... different than Tim Duncan's skills, though.
Duncan is a good rebounder because he is extremely good at sealing off the other rebounder(s) when boxing out. Noah is a good rebounder because he is tenacious when going after the ball… he just never gives up. This is a different classification of skills.
The defense, though, is definitely a “skill” no matter which way you cut it. He’s just a great defender, and I think that’s what will make him an all-star.
But having a "nose" for the ball is important
Understanding where the ball is going to carom – the experience, vision, talent – not dissimilar to a PG’s court vision
think of it like this...
How poorly would we play without Kaman complimenting DJ as a shooting big man? Just like Chi last year, we would be stuck with pick and rolls and outside shooting. The clips could never win with that game
Is that Spurs 1st round draft pick playing?
I heard he’s gonna be a steal for them
Not sure which pick you're talking about
James Anderson is hurt, not playing in Summer League. Tiago Splitter, long ago pick they just signed, not here either.
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 Jul 17, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I was talking about Anderson.
I forgot his name but I knew he was a great scorer in college.
I don't need to see rc buford's face
stop with the splitscreen
Dejuan Blair may look like and occasionally play like FElton...
But I’m pretty sure Blair has a soul, so they’re pretty much nothing alike.
Why do people call elton brand FElton
by ArturoH on Jul 17, 2010 6:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I get the Elton part, but idk wut the F means :(
Fuck elton?
by ArturoH on Jul 17, 2010 6:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
hey hey hey
watch your mouth – there are kids here (maybe)
Haha ok sorry
So y do we call him FEltonnnn
by ArturoH on Jul 17, 2010 6:26 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
you got it
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 Jul 17, 2010 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Buford's Voice
with the combination of Joel Meyers’ voice is lulling me to sleep.
by vaughtfromhisspot on Jul 17, 2010 5:57 PM PDT reply actions
U kidding!
He’ll love jacking up contested three’s in transition
Wow
Since i started watchinh the spurs went on a 13-0 run
by ArturoH on Jul 17, 2010 6:10 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Tough quarter
single digits… again. 27 – 8. Sofo looked TERRIBLE again. Clippers are really suffering from a total lack of point guard play here. Eric Bledsoe has a long way to go… Trey Johnson isn’t a point. They originally had Deshawn Wood on the roster, but he doesn’t appear to be with the team any more. The Spurs on the other hand have a competent floor leader in Curtis Jerrells, and the difference is evident.
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
What are they going to do with sofo?
After waiting for him for so long, they can’t just not sign him, right?
Sure... they can
second round pick, seven years ago… it’s easy to give up on him. The question is should they. He’s a unique prospect… but I would hope that he’d be adjusting better in his games here.
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 Jul 17, 2010 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd think Sofo would do a much better job with the regular squad
Being that in SL these kids play kinda loose and aggressive and crazy and the game moves much faster. In the real NBA season the games tend to be more, well, not slower, because those guys are super quick, still, but more under control.
Some of these SL games seem chaotic to me.
Donald Sterling is the Worse Owner of All Time
by DonaldSterlingSucks on Jul 17, 2010 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Is Fratello trying to choke out Meyers during time outs?
They are not getting along well on the air. Fratello is just short of saying f you.
Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball
the last "E" on bledsoe's jersey is lopsided
the bottom leg is really long for some reason. cmon clips at least get some proper uniforms
I'm headnig out asap
After the game, I’m packing up and heading back to LA…. I’ll post something tomorrow. Last game, vs. the D-leaguers, tomorrow.
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
have a safe trip home
hope your air conditioner works ;)
by dulciusXasperis on Jul 17, 2010 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions
a few things
1. ebled is absolutely gassed. its mainly because he doesn’t have any body control and hes been playing with pedal to the metal speed all game. (that pass at a 3 minute mark to dj though, man, finish that dj. it was a perfect pass under the basket, you’re athletic enough to reach back and finish.) he has A LOT of growing up to do before he can be a starting point guard in this league. but still, hes shown lots of energy, and i love his potential. he seems pouty, but hes a kid, so hopefully these are just growing pains.
2. aminu hit a couple of threes, thats good to see. hes also a project but i think hes a legit 3. i think being surrounded by scorers, as he might be eventually when he starts, will be a great spot for him.
3. liked what a saw from sofo, really played well today. defensively, and offensively, garnering lots of attention, looking to make the pass. still, i havent seen as much tough around the rim as i want to, but im all for signing him now.
4. great effort in the 4th. game was getting away but the boys tried making a run to end the game. it was good seeing that.
Final score please
On the road and can’t access Internet
"Success only comes before work inside of a dictionary!"
by Clipperoo on Jul 17, 2010 7:22 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Not very impressed by Sofo today
"[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.
Don't know if this the right place but
does anyone have a video feed of today’s game against the D league?
LeBron or Bust !!!!
what channel is this playing on?
all i got is the dallas sac game
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