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The Clippers played three-games on the road Thanksgiving week, securing back-to-back wins against the Dallas Mavericks (114-99) and the Memphis Grizzlies (121-119), and dropping one in disappointing fashion to Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs (107-97).
In case you missed them, here are a few odds and ends from this holiday week, care of Twitter.
Clippers Defensive FLEX Shuts Down Wonder Boy
Entering Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, the Clippers knew they had to pay special attention to 20-year old phenom Luka Doncic. As both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George put it, Doncic is “the head of the snake” in Dallas, and everyone knows that to kill a snake, you have to cut off its head.
Kawhi Leonard on Mavs’ star Luka Doncic - “He’s the head of the snake over there. Getting his teammates involved, making shots, just playing competitive basketball.”#Clippers pic.twitter.com/zlbmunZz7l
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 25, 2019
The Clippers took a more brutal approach than decapitation to Doncic, smothering him with street style lock-down defense. Doncic entered the contest averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists on 49% shooting, but was held to 22 points on 28.6 percent shooting by a bevy of blitzing Clipper defenders.
Luka Doncic was in state penitentiary tonight against the Clippers. Good lord.
— Mayo Verrastro (@bverrastro_10) November 27, 2019
LA Clippers just gave the blueprint on how to slow down Luka Doncic, who finishes 0-for-8 from 3-point land and 4-of-14 overall with seven TOs. But most other teams don't have Patrick Beverley, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to throw at Doncic.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) November 27, 2019
The frustrated guard was zero for eight from three-point range and contributed 7 turnovers in Dallas’ 114-99 loss. The Clippers left the young star so out of sorts he left the arena without addressing the media. Ay, pobresita!
Luka Doncic left the arena without talking to the media. Clearly a frustrating night for the Mavs’ 20-year-old face of the franchise.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 27, 2019
The move earned mixed reviews and criticism from pundits and NBA fans alike.
Weak of Luka Docnic to not talk to the media after the loss to the Clippers because the Clippers played defense on him. That's so immature on his part.
— Leslie (@UCMongo) November 27, 2019
Fun Guy Makes Jokes?
Arguably, the most interesting story line from the Clippers-Mavs match-up involved the mysterious wit of Kawhi Leonard, a cackling Sam Cassell, and Tyronn Lue’s suit.
It all started when the Clippers broadcast caught an exchange between Leonard and Cassell on the bench late in the fourth quarter. No one knows exactly was it was that Kawhi said to Sam, but it had the assistant coach rolling.
What did Kawhi say? #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/tFPcu4H0PC
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) November 27, 2019
The fact that Kawhi remained completely deadpan during the exchange has simply served to fuel his legend.
The Laugh
— Lawrence (@lwrnc_gndrn) November 27, 2019
Ignoring a fist bump
Boardman gets paid
Apple Time story
Hey hey Hey
Making Cassell laugh
Kawhi is a meme factory!
Idk what Kawhi Leonard told Sam Cassell, but my man legit had a straight face the whole time I really think he is a fun guy pic.twitter.com/8iDpCntJn6
— RickyRee (@rickyree209) November 27, 2019
So what did Kawhi say to Cassell to make him react in such a way? No one is reporting, but Twitter had thoughts.
Sam Cassell: “You know, a lot of people thought we’d struggle to contain Luka.”
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) November 27, 2019
Kawhi: “Who Luka?” pic.twitter.com/DRw9VcMV29
Some funnier than others.
Kawhi: “you wanna hear a joke?”
— ️randon (@b_wilkinson99) November 27, 2019
Sam Cassell: “sure”
Kawhi: “I’m playing tomorrow” pic.twitter.com/EbTUHOH8tk
Other folks thought Ty Lue’s reaction to having his suit grabbed was the best part of the clip.
#NBA#ClipperNation
— AJ Woodson (@AJWoodson) November 27, 2019
OK, Ty Lue 's Reaction
...is far, far, far Funnier than
Whatever Kawhi said to Sam Cassell#FunnyAFpic.twitter.com/3xDlWucHOA
Nobody:
— [Prod. by Miami] (@Miami_Crosier) November 28, 2019
Ty Lue and his Suit: pic.twitter.com/Hy98oPcnvC
Blessed with Mike Fratello on the Mic!
Clipper Nation had a treat this week with Mike Fratello filling in for Chauncey Billups alongside Brian Sieman. The Czar is one of the winningest head coaches in NBA history, ranking respectively 18th and 19th in all-time regular season wins (667) and games coached (1,215). He is also by far one of the best color commentators in the NBA!
I wish Mike Fratello did all the Clipper games
— World B. Freeballin (@ColdBucksOnly) November 30, 2019
I absolutely love his analysis. And he’s a even nicer human . https://t.co/xLrrpb6cu9
— Jeanne Zelasko (@JeanneZelasko) November 28, 2019
If you’ve had the pleasure of watching The Irishman already, this makes complete sense.
Just watched @TheIrishmanFilm and really liked it. But how was there no walk-on role for @MikeFratello? Seriously...
— Ed Markey (@EWMarkey) November 29, 2019
Clipper Nation 20 Weeks In...
We are are already twenty games through the 2019-20 season and the Clippers are making some new fans...
Not hating the Clippers feels so wrong.
— Made in Memphis (@MadeinMemphis1) November 28, 2019
and continuing to live rent free in the heads of haters.
This dude that I’ve never interacted with had nothing better to do at 1am than to DM me about his dislike for the Clippers lol pic.twitter.com/akvAHjCHy4
— Ricky Chu (@RikDaddy) December 1, 2019
Keep on keepin’ on Clipper Nation!
That’s it for this week. See you online!
p.s. Is it just me or does Lou Williams always look like he’s doing something naughty?
That one cousin who's always gettin’ ya into trouble on Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/3NsnI5213G
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 28, 2019