Clippers 100 - Hornets 90

by Steve Perrin on Jan 8, 2007 8:41 PM PST in News

The Clippers won their fourth road game of the season, beating the Hornets 100-90 in Oklahoma City. The Hornets were without their four best scorers, adding to a string of undermanned road victims for the Clippers. It is fairly clear that the Clips would dominate on the road in the D League or even against Summer League teams. But they still haven't won outside of Staples Center against a team playing with their leading scorer, or say four of their starters.

But enough cynicism. Welcome back, Sam. We missed you. Could it really be this simple? Is it all just a matter of having Sam at full strength? Sam has suffered from a variety of injuries all season, but he's certainly been less than 100% since tweaking an ankle when he stepped on Reggie Evans foot in Denver on November 26. During the 23 games since, including that Denver game and before tonight, the team was 9-14.

Not that 6-5 in the first 11 games was great, but we certainly think back on those days fondly now.

Sam had his third 30+ point game of the season, scoring 31 in 35 minutes, on 11 for 23 shooting, including 3 for 5 on threes. This is all the more remarkable when you consider (a) it was Sam's first game action in 23 days, (b) he was 1 for 6 in the first quarter of this game, and (c) he was 4 for 28 from beyond the arc on the season. In fact, if Sam's shoes were a little smaller, he would have doubled his season three point output, as he also made a 23'8" shot early in the second half.

This one started as dismally as the Hawks game, with the Clippers trailing after the first quarter 26-15. In fact, going back to the Wizards game, that made a string of 8 consecutive quarters where the Clippers had averaged around 19 points per quarter. The first quarter of this one was as bad as it gets on offense; they benefitting from 2 defensive three second technicals and still only scored 15 points. And as mentioned, Sam started the game 1 for 6.

In the end, the Hornets simply didn't have enough horses. Had it not been for some unlikely Desmond Mason baskets in the third quarter (followed by 3 straight Mason airballs), the Clippers would have run away with it earlier. As it was the Clippers dominated the fourth quarter, 28-17.

Sam's heroics are a good news / bad news scenario. Watching Sam at the top his game certainly makes one wonder if Shaun Livingston will ever be a tier one NBA point guard. Sam shoots every shot like he's going to make it, like he owns it, like he was born to take it, even if he's missed 5 straight (or 20 straight, it doesn't matter). Shaun shoots like he's taking medicine. He could make 5 straight, and look tentative on the 6th one. Given that Sam is 37, it's not a particularly good feeling to be this dependent on the guy. Not when Phoenix and Dallas and San Antonio are so much better than the Clippers right now.

Likewise Chris Kaman, the Clippers' other 'young star' (in quotes because it is quite debatable) was wholey unimpressive tonight; 2 for 5 in 22 lackadaisical minutes. If Brand, Kaman and Livingston were untouchable in the Iverson trade talks, if those three are the future of the franchise... well, in the words of Ralph Lawler, yikers.

But for the time being, it's just nice to have a present again. And the present features Sam Cassell. Heading into Minnesota, where Sam will have lots of extra motivation, and where the Clippers have the extra incentive of playing a team ahead of them in the standings, I for one am glad to have Mr. Cassell (2 S's, 2 L's) back.

A few post scripts...

P.S. 1 - Anyone wonder what might have happened in MDSr had played Sam in Atlanta? If he was this good tonight, would he not have helped a listless team on Saturday?

P.S. 2 - Has anyone seen Corey Maggette anywhere? I mean, in the background near the bench, near the huddle on timeouts? I haven't.

P.S. 3 - Did we sign Luke Jackson to be a practice player? With Maggette apparently not in the building and Tim Thomas in first half foul trouble, it seems like that was the time to have a look at the new guy. Don't get me wrong... I love James Singleton and wish MDSr would play him more consistently. James played a major role in the second quarter comeback, but it just seems to me that if you signed Jackson, you should play him. Only 9 more days before you have to decide if you're going to give him another contract.

P.S. 4 - Does anyone understand the 'Clear Path Foul' rule? It's clear that I do not, and either Elton Brand or Jack Nies doesn't either.

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Well, where to begin

Nies blew that clear path call. That was a fast break, not a breakaway.

Yes, Sam is that important to this team, as he has been to every team he has played for.

It is not good to be that dependent on him.

But I have full faith in Livingston's future as a point guard. He had some great passes tonight. The shooting will come.

When is Cassell at his best? When he says "screw it" and deviates from the offense to create his own shot. Dunleavy puts up with it because Sam has giant testicles.

I think that Livingston will be great when Dunleavy takes the reins off. But he is not ready for that yet.

Sam is very unique. He is not big, and he is not athletic. But he is very crafty, and he believes that he has giant testicles.

You really can't fake that swagger. You just have to have it.

What else.

Kaman is NEVER ready for quick passes. I guess it is hard to have your hands in rebound position and then drop them to catch a no look pass, but I think he just needs to wake up.

EB is going to get tired again if somebody else doesn't step up and let him rest. That is my way of saying that Singleton should get at least 10-12 minutes every night.

In fact, I loved it that Coach went 10 deep tonight. Why not? 8 man rotations are for the playoffs. Use your players.

Maggette is a mystery right now. Where in the world is he? Is this injury day to day?

I think he is done. He is probably in LA packing. To be perfectly honest, he really doesn't have a place on this team. He doesn't solve any problems, which are outside shooting and perimeter defense.

He will be missed against the Suns, who defensively don't have an answer for a physical wing player. He kills against them.

During the year of 2005, Corey Maggette played some wonderful basketball. He was becoming a star. In the last game vs. the Lakers in 04-05, he was the best player on the floor, and that included the Kobe.

In early 05-06, he was playing great before the foot injury. He was becoming a threat from 3pt land. I don't know where things went wrong between he and Dunleavy, but I remeber a Vecey article two years ago saying Coach thought Corey was too stupid for the offense.

Before hurting the foot, Maggette had increased his scoring avg. every year of his career. He was considered a hard worker, which is why the team kept him during the free agency blood letting.

We have been eulogizing him around here for a while, but I hope things work out well.

by mp on Jan 8, 2007 11:52 PM PST reply actions

It was eerie

Just having Sam taking and making shots changed the team completely. Suddenly Mobley was making shots too. And the defense was energized. It felt like last season, for the first time in a long time.

Corey does solve a problem which is just plain scoring. When defenses concentrate on Brand and when Sam's shot is not falling, Corey can manufacture points.

I don't know why MDSr hasn't played Singleton more this season. Does he ever hurt them? Where was he against Atlanta? I don't get it.

by Steve Perrin on Jan 9, 2007 12:01 AM PST up reply actions

Thats the stuff

"When is Cassell at his best? When he says "screw it" and deviates from the offense to create his own shot. Dunleavy puts up with it because Sam has giant testicles.

I think that Livingston will be great when Dunleavy takes the reins off. But he is not ready for that yet."

Precisely. I agree 100%.

This where things get tricky. Who knows what Shaun would look like if he played in the Warriors no rules offense? Its so hard to evaluate him because it seems obvious to me that he is doing what the coach wants, which is a very limited pure point role. There is no question he needs to get more consistant in his jumper.

Still, it was only a seriously depleted Hornets.

As for PS#3, noone should try to figure out Dunleavy. That's a recipe for brainbubbles.

To Kaman's play last night: do you think the guys get together in the locker room before tip and decide which one of them is going to absolutely suck that game? It seems like there is always one and it has little to do with matchups. Maybe they decide at morning shootaround. How can a guy go up against one of the great defensive centers of the modern era and succeed, then struggle against what amounts to no defense?

by John R on Jan 9, 2007 8:52 AM PST up reply actions