Clips Nation - Clippers-Hornets game coverageWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2015-03-17T23:11:03-07:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/79952102015-03-17T23:11:03-07:002015-03-17T23:11:03-07:00Clippers Hang On To Beat Hornets, 99-92
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sqxit16s4mAww3At9rBWxIkJJCs=/0x0:4915x3277/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45924792/usa-today-8454168.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers waste a 22-point lead and a chance for some extra rest, but hold off the Hornets for a win and a tie for 5th place in the West. </p> <p>Teams playing on the second night of a road back-to-back usually tire as the game progresses. Seems like Charlotte Coach Steve Clifford forgot to tell his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Hornets</a>.</p>
<p>One night after being smoked by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a>, the Hornets scrapped away a 22-point deficit, but came up just shy of stealing a win they had no business being near.</p>
<p>This was a game, then it wasn't a game, and then it was a game again. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> missed a handful of good early looks to let the visitors stay close for the first 10 minutes before running out to a 59-41 halftime lead and what looked like a second straight shellacking for the Hornets. Blake Griffin scored 15 points on a variety of shots en route to 19 for the game, looking immediately comfortable within the offense. (Who said it would take time to reintegrate him?! I said it?!? Expunge that from the archives.)</p>
<p>The turnover was the major plot device tonight, creating sustained runs for each team and swinging the score to and fro. The Clippers forced Charlotte and its two shoot-first point guards into nine first-half turnovers, giving up just four of their own. Then, it was the Hornets' turn in the second half, which brings us back to their energy.</p>
<p>Specifically, they didn't seem to have any in the second quarter. In fact, I would venture to say they looked disheartened and defeated by their offensive struggles. But they had it in spades in the third and fourth, using it to fuel a frenetic defense that harassed the Clippers into eight second-half turnovers, seven of which came in the crucial third quarter. The Hornets won that frame 33-18 to erase the lead and deprive the Clipper starters of the extra rest they surely hoped to get.</p>
<p>Charlotte used a balanced attack, getting double-digit scoring from six players. <span>Al Jefferson</span> led the team with 21, <span>Mo Williams</span> maintained his run of good form with 18, and <span>Kemba Walker</span> chipped in 15 off the bench. They're not a squad that can shoot to score, but with their athleticism and tenacity they can get inside, and tonight, they earned 29 free throws.</p>
<p>In fact, most of the free throws tonight seemed well earned, by both clubs, as the referees allowed lots of heavy contact. This game slogged at times as each side replaced rim protection with body checking. There was more grabbing and holding than an eighth-grade dance. The Clippers had 28 of their own chances at the line, augmented by two minutes of Hack-A-DJ that further deflated a crowd that spent most of the game at preseason level.</p>
<p><span>J.J. Redick</span> had plenty of energy, running around for a team-high 23 points. <span>Chris Paul</span> added 21 and made four of seven attempts from deep, and his home team found just enough to beat back the Hornets. A win is a win, and this win brought the Clippers into a tie with Dallas for the fifth seed in the Western Conference Playoff race, with 14 games still to go.</p>
<p><b>Some other (mostly serious) things I noticed:</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>I wrote about it in the preview, Ralph Lawler mentioned it during the broadcast, and it deserves mentioning again: <span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span> hasn't attempted a three-pointer ALL SEASON. When was the last time a small forward did that? Was it 1978, before the NBA even adopted the three-point line? Seriously, I'm a big, big MKG fan. Read this excellent SI piece by Lee Jenkins on <a href="http://www.si.com/nba/2015/02/05/michael-kidd-gilchrist-hornets-kentucky-shot-voice" target="_blank">Kidd-Gilchrist's work to improve his shooting and his stutter</a> -- I sent it to my mom and now she's a fan, too. Kidd-Gilchrist has come a long way from the broken jump shot he had at Kentucky, but I can't imagine he'll be hurt by hoisting the occasional three. (Even DeAndre has tried four this season.) The Clippers flat ignored him on the perimeter, and rightly so. When he catches the ball on the wing, he never considers shooting, and often dribbles himself into congestion and trouble. Come on, Kidd-Gilchrist, put one up.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Nate Robinson</span> played most of the fourth quarter with the starters, highlighting the Clippers' dire lack of wing depth. It made some sense against Charlotte's dual point guards, but looked silly after the Hornets returned to their more traditionally-sized starting lineup. (And Nate played well tonight, scoring 12 and defending gamely.) Even with Matt Barnes and <span>Jamal Crawford</span> out, it's a poor indicator of the club's construction that <span>Doc Rivers</span> didn't have an option preferable to playing two sub-six-foot players simultaneously. (I don't care how he's listed, Chris Paul is not six feet.) If only Doc had used either of his last two first round draft choices on perimeter help...</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2015/3/17/8239699/clippers-hang-on-to-beat-hornets-99-92-redick-kidd-gilchrist-griffinThomas Wood2015-03-17T19:00:03-07:002015-03-17T19:00:03-07:00Clippers-Hornets open thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oMrvOEM3qCUX4KR3Mef22vck_U0=/0x0:2971x1981/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45912948/usa-today-8227402.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Come join the conversation!</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2014/2015 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Hornets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/csHjdfKxbdtD-qawNSfkFUK2QdI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2486596/512019262015.0.gif">
</figure>
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>42-25</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>29-36</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>March 17th, 2015, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>14-11</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>22-17</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>28-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>7-19</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-10</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>16-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>18-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>13-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>18-21</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>11-23</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-4</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>18-13</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>5-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>6-4</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><a>Chris Paul</a></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Mo Williams</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Gerald Henderson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><a>Marvin Williams</a></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Al Jefferson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">96.8 (10th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>95.6 (T-20th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.2 (T-1st of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>98.4 (28th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">103.5 (17th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.3 (10th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; "><span>Jamal Crawford</span> (calf) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Cody Zeller</span> (shoulder) doubtful</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>Matt Barnes (hamstring) questionable</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jordan Hamilton</span> (ankle) questionable</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th colspan="3" height="20" bgcolor="silver"></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The Clippers lead the season series, 1-0):</b></p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>11/24/14</b></td>
<td><b>Charlotte</b></td>
<td><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> 113, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a> 92</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/11/24/7278961/clippers-hammer-hornets-113-92" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20141124/LACCHA/gameinfo.html" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>03/17/15</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><i>Tonight</i></b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/1/22/5336728/clippers-go-cold-fall-short-against-bobcats-95-91/in/5100187" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><b><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140122/LACCHA/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank">Box</a><br></b></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2015/3/17/8229197/clippers-hornets-open-threadThomas Wood2015-03-17T00:00:02-07:002015-03-17T00:00:02-07:00Clippers-Hornets Preview: The Walking Wounded
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OXxMMM6MWtaAbQyC5KwSdEJjvaI=/0x0:3504x2336/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45912910/usa-today-8227058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers look for healthy bodies while the Hornets look for a playoff spot.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2014/2015 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Hornets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/csHjdfKxbdtD-qawNSfkFUK2QdI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2486596/512019262015.0.gif">
</figure>
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>42-25</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>29-36</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>March 17th, 2015, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>14-11</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>22-17</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>28-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>7-19</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-10</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>16-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>18-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>13-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>18-21</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>11-23</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-4</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>18-13</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>5-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>6-4</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><a>Chris Paul</a></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Mo Williams</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Gerald Henderson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><a>Marvin Williams</a></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Al Jefferson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">96.8 (10th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>95.6 (T-20th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.2 (T-1st of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>98.4 (28th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">103.5 (17th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.3 (10th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">Jamal Crawford (calf) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Cody Zeller</span> (shoulder) doubtful</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>Matt Barnes (hamstring) questionable</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>Jordan Hamilton (ankle) questionable</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th colspan="3" height="20" bgcolor="silver"></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The Clippers lead the season series, 1-0):</b></p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>11/24/14</b></td>
<td><b>Charlotte</b></td>
<td><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> 113, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a> 92</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/11/24/7278961/clippers-hammer-hornets-113-92" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20141124/LACCHA/gameinfo.html" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>03/17/15</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><i>Tonight</i></b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/1/22/5336728/clippers-go-cold-fall-short-against-bobcats-95-91/in/5100187" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140122/LACCHA/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>With the playoffs at T-minus 15 games and the seventh seed nearly as likely a finish as the fifth, the Clippers would love to rattle off a tidy winning streak and ride into the postseason on a wave of good play and vibrations. Given the recent spate of injuries, they may settle for walking in on a full set of healthy-ish legs. Blake Griffin returned on Sunday, which is a step forward, but Matt Barnes aggravated his hamstring and may be out again, which is at least a half step back. His possible absence, along with <span>Jamal Crawford's</span> and <span>Jordan Hamilton's</span>, may push <span>Hedo Turkoglu</span> into the lineup. The situation is, as the Men In Blazers might say, suboptimal. <span>Chris Paul</span>, way-off-the-radar MVP, has been nothing short of stunning, but finds himself hobbled as well. As his team (literally) limps its way down the home stretch, Head Coach <span>Doc Rivers</span> may have to choose between seeding and standing.</p>
<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>This season seemed like playoff-or-bust for the Hornets. They're teetering on the precipice of 'or-bust'. His defense has worked its way back to respectability, but Charlotte Head Coach <span>Steve Clifford</span> has yet to unearth even a mediocre offense from this roster of mismatched parts. Missing star point guard <span>Kemba Walker</span> for a large chunk of season didn't help his cause, but there just doesn't appear to be an scoring unit here. Charlotte bestowed a $27 million contract upon <span>Lance Stephenson</span> last summer, and he has rewarded the team with 25 starts in 50 appearances below replacement level (9.1 PER). Starting wings Gerald Henderson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have combined to shoot 31.8% from three-point range. By the way, that combined percentage is Henderson's alone, because Kidd-Gilchrist has yet to even <i>attempt</i> a three. Al Jefferson is still around, and he's still banging, but an entire offense Jefferson does not make. The Hornets were so desperate for production that they took a trade deadline flier on old friend Mo Williams, although he has sparked them to recent decency. Clippers injuries withstanding, the Hornets should find themselves outgunned tonight. The real question will be, do they <i>need</i> this win more?</p>
<div style="width: 581.390625px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #dddddd; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #dddddd; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" class="blog-links-compact-container">
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 20px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: 'Gotham Cond SSm A', 'Gotham Cond SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; padding-top: 8px;">
<span class="blog-links-star"><img style="width: 16px;" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> THE VIEW FROM CHARLOTTE <span class="blog-links-star"><img style="width: 16px;" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
</h4>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 5px; max-width: 500px;" class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.atthehive.com/" target="_blank">Charlotte Hornets blog At The Hive</a></div>
</div>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Comparison of Key Metrics.</b> You don't have to dig far to find the problem here. The Hornets enter the night 28th in offensive efficiency, scuffling along with 98.4 per 100 possessions. Currently 17th, the Clippers' soft as KOST (103.5) defense is inferior to last year's, but this is a Charlotte team that mostly stops itself.</li>
<li> <b>The Schedule. </b>The Clippers have a one-game roadie in Sacramento on Wednesday, then return to STAPLES to host the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Wizards</a> and <a href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pelicans</a> over the weekend. All winnable games. </li>
<li> <b>A Legit Big Three. </b>The Clipper offense looked plenty powerful without its star power forward, showing the world that DeAndre Jordan could be the mighty fulcrum of its pick and roll attack. Blake now finds himself in the unfamiliar position of fitting into an offense that he himself has carried for most of his career. On Sunday against Houston, Griffin attempted just 10 field goals and three free throws in 41 minutes, although he did dish out eight assists. He looked at times to be forcing his play, with the glaring example being his full court charge into a retreating <span>Trevor Ariza</span> for a crucial late turnover. Doc said it so much that his Big Three has become a reality, but now he has just a few weeks to rebalance their varied talents.</li>
<li> <b>Mo Offense. </b>Since leaving Los Angeles,<b> </b>Mo Williams has bounced around the NBA as a hired bench gun. Utah, Portland, and Minnesota all tried him as a 6th man sparkplug. Now, he's starting again, and he's producing. In 12 starts with the Hornets, Mo is averaging 21 points and just shy of 8 assists. He hasn't been any more efficient than in his past few stops, but Steve Clifford has given him the green light to fire away, and fire he has, taking more than seven threes per game. He's been a fun story. </li>
<li> <b>Failure To Launch. </b>Since 2011, the Charlotte Horcats have drafted four top-10 picks -- five, if you count <span>Bismack Biyombo</span>, for whom they traded. That heavy investment has netted them a nice scoring point guard with a career FG% below 40% (Walker), a starting small forward who can't shoot (Kidd-Gilchrist), two power forwards that can't beat out <span>Marvin Williams</span> for a starting spot (Cody Zeller, <span>Noah Vonleh</span>), and the aforementioned Biyombo, who blocks some shots. These are the kind of picks that are supposed to elevate a perennial loser into NBA relevance. Hit on a couple of high draft choices and you're the next <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a>. Miss and, well, you're the Hornets.</li>
<li> <b>Connections. </b>As already mentioned, the Hornets recently acquired former Clipper guard Mo Williams... Hornets' Center Al Jefferson played three seasons for Doc Rivers' <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a>... Hornets' Assistant Coach <span>Bob Weiss</span> served as an assistant with the San Diego Clippers from 1977-1980 and was head coach of the LA Clippers in 1993-1994 (h/t to commenter hans007)... If I missed any, put 'em in the comments.</li>
<li> <b>Wikipedia: </b>Not a lot of particularly interesting stuff here, so I went with the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F/A-18_Hornet">F/A-18 Hornet</a>, a McDonnell Douglas-built "twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft". </li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2015/3/17/8228655/clippers-hornets-preview-the-walking-wounded-mo-williams-deandre-griffinThomas Wood