Where the Clippers REALLY Lost That Game

by Steve Perrin on Dec 10, 2007 9:29 AM PST in News

I was a little unfocused writing my recap yesterday. The lack of a TiVo reference may have knocked me off my pins a little (like Kevin said, "No TiVo. No comment.")

And the ClipperWidow's comments about Joey Crawford were certainly fascinating, so that became the lede. But it probably shouldn't have been.

As the Clippers were mounting their comeback, they scored on four out of five possessions, and got good shots on others. The crowd was incredibly energized, and all the momentum belonged to LA. After Wade made his first tough pull-up, giving Miami the 92-90 lead, the team came down and although Brevin Knight's initial shot was not close, he knew that, followed it, got the board and fed Kaman for the dunk. Momentum still with LA.

After Wade made his second tough pull up, the Clippers had one of their worst possessions of the night (and there were some bad ones). At the time, down two with less than two minutes to go, the Clippers seemed to be in control. They were getting good shots, while Miami was struggling. They brought the ball down, wasted some time figuring out what set they wanted to be in, and eventually Maggette and Kaman ended up on the right wing. Kaman held the ball up top, and tried to get the ball to Corey on the post up, but it wasn't there. At one point, Haslem was hedging all the way into the lane on the weak side looking to help against Maggette, leaving Tim Thomas (who had just made 2 huge threes) all alone at the arc, but Kaman was so tunnel visioned on Maggette that it didn't even occur to him to go to Thomas. And everyone was standing. It seemed like Kaman held the ball there for an hour, but given the reality of the 24 second clock, it was probably shorter than that. Finally, with about 3 seconds on the clock, he passed to Maggette near the baseline who was forced into a contested jumper. Just a miserable possession at a critical time.

The offense had been flowing, the team was getting good shots, and the building was rocking. The defense had held Miami to two tough Wade makes in about 5 minutes of clock time. But on that one offensive possession, things changed. Although they got some more good shots, the Clippers did not make another field goal.

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The tragedy of that possession

Is that Maggette/Kaman grinding clear outs should be the Clippers bread and butter. But it doesn't work. Never has.

Maggette circles Kaman but space is never created. Kaman tries him before he comes around and again when he gets a step in the lane. Then Maggette just stops and Kaman is stranded. So much indecision and imprecision all around.

Kaman was slipping screens all game. Its a new wrinkle and it worked wonders in the first half until Miami adjusted. If those two could get their screen/roll game tight who could shut them down? Kaman can hit from the high post now, plus he can roll or slip. Once Maggette is in motion if he gets the ball there's gonna be a whistle one way or the other.

But its just something that's never worked. Cassell has to be out there with EB and only Knight and Mobley have success with Kaman. So weird.

by John R on Dec 10, 2007 10:03 AM PST reply actions

Cassell is great at the two man game

which will now work with Kaman in there.

I'm telling you, this team will be quite dangerous with EB's return.

by mp on Dec 10, 2007 12:59 PM PST reply actions

I agree - particularly if they add

two shooting guards and a decent PG who is not injury prone. What killed them at the end of the game in particular was the lack of that go to player. I like Corey, but when he got that rebound after his missed shot he should obviously have passed the ball. Your go to player probably wouldn't have so quickly thrown the ball up there with all those bigs around.

by Jax on Dec 10, 2007 2:40 PM PST up reply actions