Clippers Vs. Spurs - If You Want to Read More Previews

Here are some links to a bunch more previews for the Western Conference Semifinal Series between the Clippers and the Spurs. If the Spurs are as overconfident heading into this series as the people who write about basketball, the Clippers will have a real chance.

This may be my favorite quote, from Chris Sheridan:

Statistically, the Spurs have advantages everywhere: Points per game, 103.7 to 97.5. Field-goal percentage: .478 to .455. Rebounds per game: 43.0 to 41.6. Assists per game: 23.2 to 21.0. Free-throw percentage: .748 to .680. Three-point field goal percentage: .393 to .357.

My goodness, they really do have advantages everywhere. Or at least everywhere that Sheridan cares to look. I can make self-serving lists too, it turns out. Here are categories where the Clippers have advantages:

Points allowed: 95 to 96.5; Turnovers committed: 13.3 to 13.6; Turnovers forced: 14.6 to 13.7; Steals: 8.4 to 7.4; Offensive rebounds: 12.1 to 10.3. Blocked shots: 4.8 to 4.4.

Turns out, far from "everywhere" the Spurs have advantages in some statistical categories and the Cippers have advantages in others. You could argue that the Spurs categories are more important... but then again, points allowed is pretty important, right? Not to mention that it's disingenuous to imply that the Spurs are a better rebounding team. The Spurs play at the league's seventh fastest pace while the Clippers play at the fourth slowest. In fact, during the regular season the Spurs and Clippers were tied in rebound percentage and in rebound differential so they are essentially completely equal as rebounding teams (though the Clippers are better on the offensive glass). Man, nothing gets me more riled up than a dishonest statistical argument, especially from someone who knows better. Everywhere indeed.

Anyway, here's a list of previews:

Preview of the second round playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs
Sheridan's full review.

No. 1 Spurs vs. No. 5 Clippers - Paul Forrester - SI.com
From Paul Forrester at Sports Illustrated.

Spurs - Clippers Series Preview | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS
This one comes from Spurs.com, so it may be excused for having a bias.

Playoff Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ProBasketballTalk
From my Long Beach neighbor Kurt Helin at ProBasketballTalk.

‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports
From Dan Devine at Yahoo!'s Ball Don't Lie.