CLIPPERTALK BLOGGER

Some Final Regular-Season Stats

2006-04-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

Before fixing our gaze permanently on the playoffs, some breakdowns of the Clips' regular-season record:

Mondays: 6-3 (Home: 4-1; Road: 2-2)
Tuesdays: 6-8 (Home: 4-3; Road: 2-5)
Wednesdays: 10-8 (Home: 5-1; Road: 5-7)
Thursdays: 1-1 (Home: 0-0; Road: 1-1)
Fridays: 11-5 (Home: 5-2; Road: 6-3)
Saturdays: 8-2 (Home: 7-2; Road: 1-0)
Sundays: 5-8 (Home: 2-5; Road: 3-3)

Day: 6-1 (Home: 5-1; Road: 1-0)
Night: 41-34 (Home: 22-13; Road: 19-21)

vs. Eastern Conference: 20-10
vs. Atlantic: 7-3
vs. Central: 4-6
vs. Southeast: 9-1

vs. Western Conference: 27-25
vs. Northwest: 14-4
vs. Pacific: 7-9
vs. Southwest: 6-12

Games decided by:
1: 1-0
2: 2-3
3: 3-2
4: 3-3
5: 2-2
6: 2-2
7: 1-2
8: 6-2
9: 3-0
10: 3-5
11: 1-1
12: 3-1
13: 3-1
14: 3-1
15: 3-1
16: 0-2
17: 2-2
18: 1-0
19: 1-1
20: 0-1
22: 1-1
24: 1-0
26: 1-0
31: 0-2
33: 1-0

Combined record of UTA, POR, SAN and NOK (Northwest and Southwest Division teams the Clips played only three times each): 163-165
Combined record of the six Northwest and Southwest teams the Clips played four times each: 255-237 -- Jordan

CLIPS HAVE 20/21 ROAD VISION

2006-04-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Clips set a new franchise record with their 20th road win, defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 85-71. The Mavs' 71 points represented a season low and allowed the Clips to avert a four-game season-series sweep. Only Sacramento took four from the Clips this year; Detroit and Indiana both swept the Clips 2-0. The Clips also kept the Mavs from setting a new franchise high of 61 wins.

The game marked the re-re-return of Corey Maggette after his bout with a herniated disc. Corey looked like the Maggs of old, leading all scorers and six Clips in double figures with an 18-and-11 double-double in 27 quality minutes. Chris Kaman had 14, Walter McCarty another dozen, Daniel Ewing 11, and Vin Baker and Cuttino Mobley 10 apiece. Elton Brand and Sam Cassell rested, while Vladimir Radmanovic (groin) and Zeljko Rebraca (back) nursed injuries.

Quick thoughts: ...Don't be too impressed by the American Airlines flight vouchers fans received. They're valid for a very limited time and only on flights from Love Field to one of four cities near Dallas. This isn't like Oprah screaming, "EVERYBODY WINS A CAR!!! EVERYBODY WINS A CAR!!!"...Pavel Podkolzine saw his only action of the season. When the huge Siberian took the court for a preseason contest at Staples Center, the "Bob-Bob-Bob-Bob-Bobby Simmons" guys yelled, "IT'S ALIVE!!!" and "BASKETBALL GOOD!!!"...

Off topic...Tawana Brawley Redux: I rarely stray from the Clipper beat, but what's happening in Durham, North Carolina is a travesty of justice. This woman doesn't want to spend the night in the pokey on a public drunkenness rap, so she makes up a transparently false story that ruins the lives of at least two innocent boys. The politically correct sheep (and the emo guys looking for a sympathy score) immediately start conducting "vigils." Mike Nifong, who like most district attorneys lacks any moral compass, ignores DNA tests that absolve the boys of wrongdoing and charges them with crimes just this side of capital. Spare a thought for the boys and their families, who will be haunted by this woman's lies long after they unravel. Meanwhile, I only hope my Duke Lacrosse t-shirt arrives in time for the playoffs. -- Jordan

NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR CLIPS

2006-04-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

The Clips secured home-court advantage in their first-round playoff series with the Denver Nuggets by virtue of Memphis' 101-95 victory at FedEx Forum last night. Round One will open at Staples Center this weekend, after the Clips complete the regular season with tonight's meaningless matchup with the Mavericks in Dallas.

The Clips did anything but tank against the Grizzlies. After trailing by as many as 22, the Clips pulled to within three, 96-93, on a pair of Daniel Ewing free throws with 29 seconds remaining. But a Mike Miller threeball on the next trip down sealed both teams' playoff fates. Still, the Clips beat the eight-point spread -- and actually played their All-Star, while Mike Fratello sat Pau Gasol with a "sore foot" that will miraculously heal by the weekend.

The players on the court wanted and tried to win the game. To that end, James Singleton annihilated his previous career high with a game-high 23 points on 8-11 shooting (including 5-6 3FGs). Walter McCarty continued to impress with 12 on 4-6 FGs. Ewing added nine, Zeljko Rebraca eight, and Vin Baker and Boniface N'Dong six apiece.

Tonight's mission is to get Corey Maggette some playing time, rest whoever wants or needs rest, and get out of Big D without getting hurt. With that accomplished, we can turn our attention to the Nuggets next. Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

"CLIPPERS GET THE REAL SWEET LOSS"

2006-04-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Ralph Lawler didn't say that last night, but he may as well have, as the Clips won by losing, 114-98, to the Seattle Sonics. They failed to complete a first-ever four-game sweep of the Sonics and matched but did not beat last season's best-ever home record of 27-14.

Still, they got what they wanted. Coach Dunleavy rested Chris Kaman and Cuttino Mobley, while limiting Elton Brand and Sam Cassell to 27 and 24 minutes, respectively. Shaun Livingston did match a career high with 18 points on 7-9 FGs in a team-high 29 minutes, while Walter McCarty contributed 12 on 5-8 in 14. Most important, nobody got hurt (Yarik Korolev did tweak an ankle late) and the Clips moved closer to securing the sixth seed.

To avoid moving up to 5 and a first-round matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, the Clips now need any of the following to transpire: 1) a loss at Memphis tomorrow, 2) a loss at Dallas Wednesday, or 3) a Memphis victory at Minnesota Wednesday. Check out the Grizzlies' Fan Forum and you'll find their partisans clamoring for the five; I suppose when you've never won in Denver (or a playoff game, period), you don't want to draw the Nuggets in Round One.

Anybody who complains about losing the last home game -- on Fan Appreciation Night, no less -- doesn't get it. When you buy tickets to game #80, you have to know you're gonna see an exo, or what in tennis we call a hit-and-giggle.

And on the much-ballyhooed idea of needing to take "momentum" into the postseason, Sam Cassell has the last word: "I don't buy momentum, every game is different. We're not playing bad basketball, we're playing enough basketball to get through." Actually, I might have worried a bit myself -- until they came back from 22 down to defeat Denver and routed the Suns in Phoenix the next night.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

CLIPS HAVE ALL THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW

2006-04-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Down 18 in the second quarter Friday night, the Clips rallied to defeat the Seattle Sonics, 101-97, securing perhaps the key win of the season at Key Arena. With Denver's loss to Sacramento and Memphis' win in Houston last night, the Clips can safely rest their key players, lose out, and assure themselves the 6 spot and home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series with the Nuggets.

The story of the game was the rebirth of Cuttino Mobley. Cat connected on 7-10 FGs, including 4-5 at the arc, for 18 points, six assists and four rebounds. Elton Brand led the Clips with 30 and 15 on 10-20 FGs and a perfect 10-10 at the line, and Chris Kaman contributed 20 and 12 on 63.6% FGs. Not many teams in the league can cope with that potent a frontcourt tandem. Sam Cassell ended with 14 on 40% FGs, missing a lot of bad shots before coming through in the clutch again.

The Sonics built a 58-40 Q2 lead on unconscious shooting by Rashard Lewis, Earl Watson and especially Ray Allen, who made five threeballs in the frame en route to a game-high 33 points (Lewis and Watson ended with 20 apiece). But with Quinton Ross on Allen in the second half, Ray Ray wasn't the same player. And after erasing a 22-point deficit against Denver last week, defending their way back into this ballgame was child's play for the Clips.

Here's how the scenarios play out heading into tonight's game against these same Sonics at Staples Center:
-- If the Clips lose at Memphis Tuesday, they get 6th-and-home-court regardless of whatever else happens.
-- If the Clips lose tonight but win at Memphis, they get 6th-and-home with either a loss at Dallas or a Memphis win at Minnesota Wednesday.
-- If the Clips win tonight and at Memphis, they get 6th-and-home only if both they lose at Dallas and Memphis wins at Minnesota.

Mike Dunleavy has talked about the importance of home court. Now that the Clips have secured it, it's time to sit out the starters (Cat practically begged for rest in a postgame interview Friday night) and avoid putting their playoff fate in Mike Fratello's hands. On Fan Appreciation Night, this fan would appreciate nothing more than a heavy dose of Vin Baker, Daniel Ewing, Yaroslav Korolev, Walter McCarty, and Boniface N'Dong.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

HOW SWEEP IT IS FOR CLIPS

2006-04-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Finally, a team the Clippers can beat. The Trail Blazers took the positives, but the Clips took the W last night at Staples Center, 97-93, completing the first season sweep of Portland in their history in too-close-for-comfort fashion. With the victory, the team equals a Clipper record for most wins with 45.

Brad Gilbert would be proud, because the Clips won this one ugly. They allowed 45.6% shooting by a balanced Blazer attack that saw eight men score seven or more points. Portland competed evenly with the playoff-bound Clips in most categories in a game that featured four ties and 15 lead changes.

Elton Brand led the way for L.A. with 25 points on 12-16 shooting, evoking memories of the E.B. who was a first-half contender for league MVP. Sam Cassell posted a 19-point, 10-assist double-double on poor shooting, while Chris Kaman contributed 14 and 11 but continued to put the ball on the floor unnecessarily. Cuttino Mobley, overdue for a good game, made 3-4 FGs and 7-8 FTs for 13.

Afterward, Nate McMillan said, "I do respect the way this team played tonight. These young guys came out and fought and played together. All the things we've been talking about all season long. We got that tonight." Mike Dunleavy, meanwhile, bemoaned his veterans' inconsistency and lack of toughness. A win's a win, but we'd all like to see more energy and better execution, greater urgency and a sense of purpose with the playoffs nigh at hand and Corey Maggette out indefinitely with a herniated disc.

Still, the Clips sit in the catbird seat at sixth, .5 games behind Memphis and 1.5 games ahead of Denver for home court. With the Nuggets' loss last night in Utah, they'll need two more wins in their last three (vs. SAC, vs. HOU, @ SEA) than the Clips cull in their final four (@ SEA, vs. SEA, @ MEM, @ DAL). A sweep of Seattle would secure home court if the Clips stay at 6, but Chris Wilcox's Sonics -- with recent wins over San Antonio, Phoenix and Memphis -- aren't the same team the Clips last faced three months ago to the day.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

CLIPPERS FIND NEW GEAR FOR PLAYOFFS: REVERSE

2006-04-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

This team's in trouble, folks. Forget about rolling into the playoffs; the Clippers are limping -- slouching -- to the finish line and playing several notches below any other playoff team in the West. After last night's 75-73 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center, the Clippers are firmly and finally entrenched in the 6 spot and will have to raise their level appreciably to retain home court.

A rash of injuries to key players -- and the extreme fatigue of others -- haven't helped the Clippers' cause. As Blanche once told Dorothy on The Golden Girls, "Good grief -- this place looks like a hospital ward!" Corey Maggette missed his third consecutive game with back spasms (about which more below), while Sam Cassell (flu) and Vladimir Radmanovic (groin) made cameo appearances so short not even Dame Judi Dench could wring an Oscar nomination out of them.

The extended minutes played by Elton Brand and Cuttino Mobley throughout the season have come back to haunt both men. Brand scored 13 points on 4-15 shooting, while Mobley missed nine of his 13 attempts for 10 points. They're both running on fumes, and Cat's recent ankle sprain continues to give him discomfort. If you're willing to concede home court to Denver, maybe you start resting these guys now.

As the final score indicates, the game was so ugly you'd think the New York Knicks had to be involved somehow. But Avery Johnson sounded happier than an exaltation of larks to sneak out of Staples with a win on a night when Dirk Nowitzki shot 6-19, Josh Howard 3-13, and Jerry Stackhouse 2-11.

The Clippers came out with great defensive intensity, building a 12-point advantage and leading 26-17 after one. But the Mavericks won the second quarter 33-14 and held a 50-40 halftime edge. The Clippers fought back valiantly to tie the game at 73 on a Shaun Livingston free throw with 17 seconds to play, but Nowitzki hit a last-second 18-footer to put the Mavs ahead 3-0 in the season series.

Without fueling the reckless rumors that Maggette's injury is actually a bad case of hurt feelings by a unwilling sixth man (which would make Maggs a Bigger Baby than a shrewdness of Glen Davises), at best it's poorly timed. To wrest home court back from the Clippers, Denver needs only one more win in their final four games (UTA, SAC, HOU and SEA) than the Clips collect in their last five (POR, SEA x 2, MEM and DAL). One thing's for sure: 73 points won't beat anybody.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

LAKERS ARE FAR SUPERIOR TO CLIPPERS

2006-04-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

As only this franchise of failure could, the Clippers turned what should have been a weekend of celebration into sheer misery for their fans. After needing another team to lose to clinch their first playoff berth in almost a decade, the Clippers sent their faithful home unhappy not once but twice, giving away a rivalry game they had firmly in hand Friday, then not showing up for another last night. The Lakers claimed city bragging rights for the summer with a complete 100-83 domination of a Clippers squad that looked every bit the part of a Staples Center subtenant.

It seemed as though the Clippers physically shrank following their incredible loss to the Kings. Elton Brand posted another double-double, but had to work much harder for his 24 and 10 -- and shoot from farther out -- than Lamar Odom did for his 23 and 15. After witnessing E.B.'s involvement in at least half a dozen failed fast breaks last night, I split the blame equally between Elton and the teammates who kept putting him in situations where he clearly does not excel.

Chris Kaman fared far worse, picking up a foul in the first minute of play and two more by the midway point of the second quarter. Chris ended with 8 and 11, while his Laker counterpart Kwame Brown posted 9 and 8. Vis-a-vis what each was asked and expected to bring, Kwame won the battle at center. To borrow from an old PSA, this is Kaman's brain off drugs -- any questions?

Sam Cassell scored 24 points on 10-20 shooting but had no more assists (four) than Brand. Sam's looking for his shot way too much and not getting his teammates involved enough. He's also taking too many threes, going 2-8 last night. Vladimir Radmanovic went 1-5 from downtown (2-9 overall) and Cuttino Mobley 0-3. In the words of Stu Lantz, 18.8% 3FGs "will not get it done."

The Clippers signed Cat to that fat $42 million contract with visions of bingos in April and May. They traded Chris Wilcox for Vladi for the express purpose of stretching opposing defenses. But until some of these halftime heroes who can't miss in practice start translating it to game time, the Clippers will remain easy to play against in the absence of a legitimate outside threat.

Quinton Ross defended Kobe Bryant beautifully, but was limited to 27 minutes; mostly in the other 21, Bryant (who played all but 39 seconds) struck for 38 points, four below his season average against the Clippers. Odom's breakout game and another impressive performance by Luke Walton (13 and 7 on 6-10 FGs) provided all the support he needed.

The Lakers outscored the Clippers everywhere -- in the paint, at the arc, on the fastbreak, at the charity stripe where they took half again as many free throws. The Lakers were more active and aggressive, pressuring the ball upcourt, jumping into passing lanes, clogging the post, generating 17 Clipper turnovers. At times the Clippers appeared literally to hand the ball over. Shaun Livingston in particular looked like he'd mistakenly sat down at the grown folks' table for Thanksgiving dinner.

Call me Cassandra if you wish. I understand that these two losses (the Mavericks are favored to make it three tonight) aren't the end of the world. The Clippers remain .5 games ahead of Memphis and 1.5 up on Denver for home court in a prospective first-round series. But yet again in games their fans wanted desperately to win, the Clippers wilted. Like Jack Lemmon's clients the Nyborgs in Glengarry Glen Ross, they "kind of imperceptibly slumped."

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

CLIPPERS ARE CHOKING DOGS, KINGS THEIR OWNERS AND MASTERS

2006-04-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

If the Sacramento Kings are "queens," then the Clippers are mere court jesters. They played the fool again Friday night at Staples Center, coughing up a late four-point lead in a 96-93 loss, their thirteenth in a row against Rick Adelman's team. Those attending their first game of the year could be forgiven for calling them the "same old Clippers" after a choke job redolent of decades of failure. Sacramento's embarrassing and humiliating ownership of them will hang over the Clippers all summer regardless of whatever else happens and will make each game in next season's series much harder to win. The Clippers will aspire to greater accomplishments going forward and cannot allow a division rival to pencil in four sure wins a year.

The box score reads remarkably even and many categories favor the Clippers. The teams shot field goals at an almost identical rate (SAC 44%, LAC 43.7%). The Clips dominated the boards (11-41-52 to 9-27-36), limited their turnovers to 12, and outblocked the Kings 9-1. Six Clips scored in double figures and a seventh -- Chris Kaman -- had nine. But Sacramento took more than twice as many free throws (36 to 17), and who would have thought they would establish better inside position and get easier looks for baskets?

The Kings also connected on 7-15 3FGs to 3-17 for the Clippers. Cuttino Mobley made 1-3, Sam Cassell 1-6 (about which more below), and Vladimir Radmanovic a horrific 1-8. The man must have taken 50 threes at halftime and may have missed two. Why were his first two shots of the second half two-pointers? He missed those, lost his rhythm, and obviously didn't regain it from downtown.

Nevertheless, the Clips scratched and clawed their way to a 91-87 lead when, with under two minutes remaining, Kaman pulled down the rebound of a missed Elton Brand jumper and got it out to Cassell. But rather than running the clock or a set play, Sam jacked up a tough three that clanged off the rim. "Here you go, Sacramento," said the savvy veteran who's going to teach our youngsters how to win in pressure situations, "we're going to give you extra possessions and extra time."

Shortly thereafter, Radmanovic missed a defensive rotation as badly as any professional ever has, leaving Ron Artest alone in a ten-foot force field. His threeball tied the game with 1:10 to play; his fade-away jumper with 0:34 left put the Kings up for good. During that stretch, Brand missed another turnaround J and a free throw, Cassell missed another three, Kaman missed another flying hook shot, and Mobley missed the first of two potentially tying FTs. Sound like a meltdown? Try Kilauea.

In other news, the Clips clinched a playoff spot with the Hornets' loss tonight in Dallas. They're now .5 games ahead of Memphis for the fifth seed and will likely drop to the 6 spot this week. Remember that the Grizzlies haven't won in Denver in forever and want no part of the Nugz; I'm sure both teams will do what it takes to assume their preferred positions.

If the Clippers and Nuggets do match up in round one, L.A. will hold home-court advantage unless Denver wins two more games in its last five than the Clips win in their last seven. That seems unlikely, as does the possibility of either the Lakers or Kings catching up to the Clips. Even though they gave away for the first time a game they had in hand, last night's loss -- however frustrating -- is livable in the long run.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

Bill Simmons

2006-04-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

It is always good to read his articles. Bill has always posted gems on the Clippers and as usual, this is another good one. It has been interesting how he has slowly moved from a guy covering the NBA to somehow falling for the Clippers like many of us have. I hope you enjoy todays selection like I did-Tollis

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060407

CLIPS MIGHT JUST HALF A CHANCE

2006-04-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

A great second half of defense made up for a historically awful first half and allowed the Clips to make the third-biggest comeback in their history and hold on to defeat the Denver Nuggets, 111-109, last night at Staples Center. With the win, the Clips move 3.5 games ahead of the Nuggets, take the season series, 3-1, and will likely hold home court if the teams meet in the first round.

In the first half, the Nuggets drove, drilled and dunked their way to the best-shooting first half in recorded NBA history, hitting 81.6% on 31 field goals off 26 assists. They scored 38 and 39 points in the first two quarters against absolutely no resistance whatsoever from the Clippers.

But after Coach Dunleavy chewed the team a new [butt]hole at halftime (a far less exciting activity since Marko Jaric left town), the Clips applied the clamps, holding the Nuggets to 16 points in each of the final two frames. Shaun Livingston and Quinton Ross led the way, Q finally frustrating Carmelo Anthony into throwing the ball into the stands with 1:11 to play and the game still up for grabs. The resulting free throws -- misses by Dunleavy's handpicked replacement, Reggie Evans, and a technical FT by Sam Cassell -- provided the razor-thin margin of victory.

Both teams had chances to win in the closing moments, but by hanging on through the frantic finish, the Clips earned the most important win of their remaining schedule. Given the disparity between their schedules, the Clips and Memphis should exchange seedings within the week (keep in mind that the Grizz haven't won in Denver in forever and want no part of the Nugz). I'm fairly confident that the Clips can stave off the Lakers and avoid dropping to the 7 spot.

If they play their cards right -- doing just enough to avoid the perception of tanking games while giving their key veterans ample rest down the stretch -- they should be well positioned to give a good account of themselves in round one. If nothing else, they're now in the Nuggets' heads. As Michael Eaves reported, he asked them whom they wished to face in the first round, and to a man, the Nuggets answered, "We don't want to play the Clippers." Nice!

-----------------

POSTSCRIPT: Tonight's game in Phoenix was a variation on the theme of second-half defense. Against the Suns, the Clips actually erased an 11-point lead before halftime, leading 59-55 at the break en route to an unlikely 119-105 victory in the absence of floor leader Cassell.

Livingston and Ross were the story again tonight. Shaun finished three rebounds shy of a triple-double at 12-7-13 in 36 great, growth-enhancing minutes. Q Ross held Livy's Canadian counterpart, Steve Nash, in check with just nine points and five assists. Elton Brand returned to first-half form with a monster 34-15 double-double. Corey Maggette had a 23-10 double-double and just two turnovers in 28 minutes, while Chris Kaman and Vladimir Radmanovic both fell a board shy at 11-9 and Ross and Cuttino Mobley contributed 12 points apiece. The Clips clicked on all cylinders, connecting on 54.8% FGs (55.6% 3FGs), outrebounding the Suns, 52-37, and only turning the ball over 12 times.

That's the good news. Now, the bad news: These two unexpected wins will make it a bit harder to drop inconspicuously to the 6 spot. They're now 1.5 up on Memphis with two weeks to play. They've got to start losing some ballgames. Fortunately, Friday night brings just what the doctor ordered: a visit to Staples from the Sacramento Kings, whose ownership of the Clippers extends three seasons without a loss. Knowing what they need, I might even stick around for the second half of that one.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

ARCO AGAIN A CLIPPER CRIME SCENE

2006-04-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

"I don't understand how players could show up for a big game and play flat." -- Bob Miller, voice of the Los Angeles Kings

It didn't take the Sacramento Kings long to bend the Clippers over and gang-rape them before an appreciative audience at Arco Arena, where the Clippers completed a decade of futility with a flat 106-96 loss in which they led for a grand total of 17 seconds. As in their nationally televised loss at Phoenix, the Clippers lost the game within moments of tip-off. Sacramento scored the first nine points in 2:32 and the Clippers never really recovered.

After the L.A. Kings went 0-3 on their recent road trip through Western Canada, I referred to the team as "gutless, pathetic pukes." The Clippers are not in the same dire straits, but if anything they have more to play for: not merely a playoff spot but seeding and possible home-court advantage. I'm frankly sick and tired of getting hyped up for big games against good teams and seeing the Clippers not even show up. Perhaps no 42-30 team has ever had fewer big wins.

And let's talk about the road. The Clippers own a perfectly respectable 17-19 road record (the Rockets are a half-game better at 17-18), but how many playoff teams have they beaten? They won "at" the Lakers Nov. 18 and at Denver Jan. 27. Against Eastern Conference playoff teams, their only road wins came Nov. 9 at Washington and at Milwaukee Mar. 11. I keep hearing that the Clippers "can scare some people in the playoffs." WHO??? With that calibre of play on the road, they'd be lucky to win two games.

Tonight, the Clippers stank up Cowtown like no rendering plant ever could. They shot a low 42.4% from the field while their much-ballyhooed defense allowed the Kings to make almost half their attempts at 48.8%. But you can overcome poor shooting; you can't overcome turnovers, and the Clippers turned the ball over an obscene 22 times.

We Jews sometimes use the term "shonda for the goyim" or "shonda for the neighbors." It refers to a source of extreme embarrassment and shame that others have witnessed and can hold over our heads. For the Clippers to come in well rested after a very light week and put up such a performance in such a game is indeed a shonda. To go over 10 years and 16 games without winning in Sacramento -- well, if Yuta Tabuse were still on the team, he might commit suicide rather than live with the disgrace.

A look at the Western Conference standings shows the Clippers in fifth, one game ahead of the sixth-place Grizzlies, two ahead of the third-place Nuggets, and now just 3-1/2 ahead of the seventh-place Lakers. You may not like it -- I don't -- but the gross disparity between the Clippers' remaining schedule and those of the Grizzlies and Lakers makes both teams very much a part of the conversation about the sixth or even the fifth seed. Consider that of the Clippers' final eight opponents, only Portland and Seattle own worse records than the Kings; tonight's was actually one of the "easy" games.

The Clippers will return to action two nights from now against Denver at Staples Center in a game that could determine home-court advantage if the teams finish in the 3 and 6 spots. But the Nugz squad that comes to town Tuesday will bear little resemblance to the team the Clippers waxed on back-to-back nights in late January. Fresh off a humiliating loss at Dallas today, they'll have all the motivation in the world to make the game an absolute war.

After the L.A. Kings' 5-0 home loss to Colorado, Bob Miller said, "I don't like the [team's] attitude. I don't like their body language." I'm starting to feel the same way. Any longtime Clipper fan knows to enjoy each and every win, but you can only take so much satisfaction in beating up on the Blazers and Bobcats and Hawks of the world when you go to Phoenix and Memphis and Sacramento and trip all over yourself.

The playoffs are weeks away. This is the time of year when good teams -- serious teams -- start rolling, while Matt Pinto described the Clippers tonight as appearing to be in "complete disarray." Band Aid sang, "Do they know it's Christmas?" My question is, do the Clippers know it's April?

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

JUST CALL 'EM PARKER LEWIS

2006-04-02T00:20:00.000-08:00

The Clips can't lose. Friday night's convincing 106-91 home victory over a hot Utah team fighting for a playoff spot guaranteed the Clips their first winning record since 1991-92. They also won the season series with the Jazz for the first time in 20 years and will have their third opportunity to rise 14 games over .500 tonight against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena, where they have lost a downright embarrassing 15 straight.

Unable to throw a pea in the ocean against San Antonio Tuesday, the Clips came out smoking against Utah, making as many shots as the Jazz in 17 fewer shots (36-65 for 55.4% vs. 36-82 for 43.9%). Both teams took 10 threes, but the Clips hit six to three for the Jazz, and L.A. won the free throw battle with 28-37 (75.7%) to 16-24 (66.7%) for Utah. All of that and single-digit turnovers sufficed to compensate for a glaring 12-1 deficit on the offensive glass.

Elton Brand and Sam Cassell led the Clips' balanced team effort with 22 points apiece, although E.B. had only one more board than E.T. (4-3). Vladimir Radmanovic found his mojo again with 4-6 3FGs for 14 points. Corey Maggette scored 13 in a rare start at the 2 as part of Coach Dunleavy's unusually large starting lineup, while Chris Kaman rounded out the starting five with an 11-and-13 double-double.

Shaun Livingston continued to play well off the pine. He and Cuttino Mobley each contributed 8 in 20+ minutes in reserve, while Zeljko Rebraca added 6 and Vin Baker 2 as the Clips' bench outscored the Jazz', 24-15. L.A. built first-half leads of 29-19 and 47-37 but led by only one, 53-52, at intermission. A 17-5 run midway through the third quarter gave the Clips a 77-64 lead that the Jazz never trimmed to single digits.

I've written extensively about the importance of winning games in arenas and against teams that have caused problems in the past. Tonight's game represents such an opportunity, and I'm eager to see how the team responds. Meanwhile, click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

The Sports X-change

2006-03-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

Usually I like to find articles and information on the Clippers for those who hunger for any tidbit on the Clippers and today I like to introduce you to the sports x-change on cbs.sportsline.com. I remember searching high and low for information on the Clips and many of the sights having little to no info except around game time. How much we have grown fellow Clipper Fans. The info on sportsline is akin to what you will find on NBA.com or ESPN and adds a little more to your Clippers experience. Check it out, though I will warn you now that I am unsure at how often they update the information -Tollis

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/teams/report/LAC/9346367

CLIPPERS CAN'T GET PAST VELVET ROPE

2006-03-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

Again the Clippers crashed an A-list party, and again they got bounced. Last night at Staples Center, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs gave the Clippers a clinic in defense, shotmaking and playoff intensity, turning a fair fight into an instructional video midway through the third quarter en route to a 98-87 rout.

Viewed objectively, the Clippers have had a nice little year. But to reach elite status, they must make quantum leaps in two categories: overall consistency and games against top teams. Any 82-game season will have its vicissitudes, but the up-and-down Clippers have had no winning streak longer than their longest losing streak (five). Elite teams put together stretches of seven, eight, nine wins in a row.

Similarly, the Clippers have shown an inability to compete with the premier teams in the NBA. Against the four Western Conference opponents with the best records, the Clippers have gone a woeful 3-8. Against the five best teams in the league, they're a pitiful 3-9 with exactly one win since early December. Obviously, most teams struggle with the Spurs and Mavericks and Suns of the world, but the Clippers don't view themselves as most teams.

Last night, the Clips hung with the Spurs for a few minutes before Gregg Popovich implemented a zone defense that discombobulated L.A. When you lateral the ball more than you pass it, you know your offense is in trouble, and the Clips promptly fell behind 18-10. But Pop took out the zone and the Clips, after trailing 48-42 at halftime, went ahead 51-50 on the kind of aggressive move we need more of from Chris Kaman, picking the ball up in traffic and laying it in quickly with the right hand.

Right after that, though, San Antonio went on a 13-0 run that put them up 63-51 and effectively ended the ballgame, the Clippers starting the fourth quarter down ten and never coming closer. By then, the Spurs had imposed a lockdown worthy of Pelican Bay, holding the Clippers to 37.8% FGs and 1-10 3FGs while hitting 49.3% and 10-25. The Clippers double-teamed Tim Duncan and the Spurs' bigs too much, leaving wide open perimeter shooters who made them pay again and again and again.

Elton Brand had 20 and 10, but Brand as a 20-and-10 man is so last season. This year, that's a bad game for Elton, and indeed it was, as he missed 11 of 18 attempts. At times, EB gets the ball in scoring position and almost waits for the defender or double-team to come; I'd like to see him assert himself more down the stretch.

Corey Maggette got to the line 12 times, leading the Clippers to one of their few statistical advantages, but shot 3-11 from the field, and many of the misses were who-opened-the-door head-scratchers that turned Coach Dunleavy eight shades of red.
Sam Cassell took too few shots and made too few at 3-8, while Cuttino Mobley missed all six of his looks, most of them uncontested.

I did see a lot of positives:
-- Kaman did not shrink from the challenge, posting 18 and 8 on 6-10 FGs and 6-7 FTs. He's showing flashes of the quickness and aggressiveness that can make him one of the best bona fide centers in the game.
-- While Vladimir Radmanovic remained ice-cold from downtown, he added some moves to his repertoire, driving to the basket once for a dunk and again for a layup. I'd love to see more of the same from Vlad Rad even when he rediscovers his stroke.
-- It's great to see Zeljko Rebraca healthy and suited up. He contributed three points, three rebounds and two blocks in 12 high-energy, high-quality minutes. I just love having his presence on the court.
-- Q Ross did his job in limited minutes, helping hold the Spurs' starting backcourt to 12 points.
-- Most important, the first half may have been Shaun Livingston's best half of basketball as a pro. That highlight-reel dunk in Portland must have loosened him up, because he showed no fear, driving in for a layup, hitting turnaround jumpers, canning free throws, and closing the scoring with a slam dunk off a Kaman feed. Keep it up, Kid!

The Clips have a chance to close out March 10-6 with a getaway win Friday night over the Utah Jazz at Staples. The Jazz are healthy, highly motivated, and just spanked the Nuggets in Denver. The Clips had better find their shooting touch -- oh yeah, and an answer for the pick-and-roll.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

What are little Clippers made of?

2006-03-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

We know that little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice, whilst little boys are made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails. In 13 games over the next three weeks, we'll find out what the Clippers are made of, as they face the toughest gauntlet of villains since the Tom Kennedy game show Whew!

And though the Clips may encounter close calls, narrow escapes and split-second decisions, they'll play not for $25,000 in cash but for home court in their likely first-round playoff series with the Denver Nuggets. With that in mind, let's turn our attention to the team's remaining schedule.

The Clips will play seven of their last 13 games at home, starting with this week's season-series rubber matches with the Spurs and Jazz. The 13 games include three brutal back-to-backs (vs. DEN/@ PHX Apr. 4-5, @ LAL/vs. DAL Apr. 9-10, @ MEM/@ DAL Apr. 18-19). Only three games with playoff outsiders remain, one with the Blazers and two with the vastly improved Sonics.

With Cuttino Mobley and Zeljko Rebraca due back tonight, Coach Dunleavy will have 13 games to fine-tune his finally fully healthy roster. And though I truly believe the matchups are set (the DAL-SAN winner against SAC and the DAL-SAN loser against MEM in one bracket, PHX-LAL and DEN-LAC in the other), there remains much to play for:

-- A number of teams have beaten San Antonio once. Heck, Seattle did it Sunday night. To take the season series with the Spurs would make a far louder statement.
-- The Clips have to get a game off the Kings to get the monkey off their back. When a team -- especially an inferior one -- sweeps you in back-to-back seasons, they gain an enormous psychological advantage over you. It would be great to exorcise the Clips' demons at Arco Apr. 2, but even a win at home Apr. 7 would put next season's games in play. Lose both, and the Clips will be at a significant disadvantage all four times next year.
-- The Apr. 4 home game with Denver could determine home court in the first round. The Clips handled the Nuggets easily Jan. 27-28, but the Nugz have refortified their roster with Reggie Evans and Ruben Patterson and Coach Karl has them clicking on all cylinders.
-- The Lakers would have to go on a major tear, and the Clips completely collapse, for the purple and gold to wrest the sixth seed away. But if the 6 spot is still in play, the "road" game at the Lakers Apr. 9 could decide it.
-- Finally, you want to get a game off Dallas and you'd like to show Memphis you can beat them at FedEx. But with the Mavs and Grizz in the opposite bracket, those games will be more important in terms of the Clips' overall record than as statement games.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

CLIPS BLAZE TRAIL TO VICTORY

2006-03-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

A day after finishing their feast on the East 20-10, including 7-3 against the Atlantic, 4-6 contra the Central, and 9-1 versus the Southeast, the Clippers equalled their high-water mark of 13 games over .500, rising to 41-28 with their Clipper-record 17th road victory, a wire-to-wire 97-83 win over the Trail Blazers tonight in Portland. The game capped a stretch of five in seven days during which the Clips went 3-2.

The Clips lost their Mar. 15 game in Phoenix within the first two minutes; tonight, they exploded to an 8-1 edge, extended it to 29-11 after one quarter, and held on easily from there. Elton Brand led all scorers by an expansive margin with 30 and 11 rebounds on 10-18 FGs. Corey Maggette contributed 19 and 6, compensating for 3-9 FGs with a perfect 13-13 from the charity stripe. Sam Cassell threw in 12, Chris Kaman 8 and 10 rebounds, and Q Ross 6 on 3-4 FGs to round out the starting five.

Shaun Livingston dished 5 dimes and scored 9 points, including a tomahawk second-quarter slam dunk that Ralph Lawler called "the most aggressive move" of Shaun's two-year pro career. Vin Baker made a surprise Q1 appearance and completed an old-fashioned three-point play with a layup-and-one off a nice assist from Cassell. Meanwhile, Vladimir Radmanovic continued to ache from the arc; his 8 points included 1-4 from the perimeter as the Clips hit just 1-5 3FGs.

Happily, the Clips did better from closer in, outshooting the Blazers 50% to 34.3% overall and 86.5% to 76.3% on FTs. Most of Portland's firepower came off the pine, as their young bench outscored L.A.'s, 57-22. The Clips' competition will improve appreciably in coming weeks (about which more in an entry on Tuesday), but tonight we can all sit back and appreciate a wonderful weekend of back-to-back wins.

Quotes of the Night:
-- After Ralph noted that Mike Smith rarely joins Brand and Cassell on the team bus that arrives at the arena first, Mike said, "I sometimes take the second bus to balance it out. You don't want all the talent on the first bus."
-- After Mike noted that the Clips hadn't scored for the first three minutes of the second quarter, Ralph said, "They haven't scored, and they're pulling away."

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

FOR CLIPS, LIFE BEGINS AT 40

2006-03-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

In Aladdin -- the best movie of 1992, the summit of modern Disney animation and maybe the only decent Robin Williams picture -- the evil Jafar tells Aladdin, "If you do not bow before a sultan, then you will cower before a sorcerer!" Yesterday afternoon at Staples Center, it was the Washington Wizards who cowered and the Clippers who powered to a dominating 116-101 victory. They become the first Clippers to reach 40 wins since Larry Brown led the 1992-93 Clips to a 41-41 record.

Behind monster games by Elton Brand (32 points, 9 rebounds on 12-19 FGs) and Sam Cassell (26 points, 8 assists on 10-15 FGs) and Chris Kaman's triumphant return to form (21 points, 13 rebounds on 8-14 FGs), the Clips led by 12 after one quarter, by 16 at halftime, and by as many as 25 early in the fourth. They raise their home record to 24-10 and, with a win in Portland this evening, could bump their RW-HL number up to an impressive +7.

The Good: Quinton Ross held Washington All-Star Gilbert Arenas to 17 points on 5-16 shooting as the Wiz' league-leading triumvirate of Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison scored almost 20 points under their combined average for the season...In his first start since December, Corey Maggette contributed 19 points, five rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes...The Clips outshot the Wizards 51.3% to 41.1% and canned twice as many free throws (LAC 36-42, WAS 18-28)...The Clips recorded more rebounds, assists, blocks and steals and kept their turnovers to a livable 15.

The Bad: With Vladimir Radmanovic mired in a mini-slump, Los Angeles made just 2-11 3FGs; fortunately, Washington hit just 5-24...The Wizards killed the Clips on the offensive glass, 19-10, and in bench scoring, 34-11...Cuttino Mobley missed his first game of the season with a sprained ankle and will likely sit out tonight's tilt with the Trail Blazers.

The Ugly: Whatever your take on Maggette's complaints to reporters about not starting on the recent road trip, only our boy Maggs could airball two consecutive three-pointers and give up a four-point play within a matter of minutes...The Clippers did nothing to warn fans what a logistical nightmare downtown would present. We followed a series of handwritten arrows down a labyrinth of alleys to where a guy wearing an armband took $25 and moved his Toyota Tercel to make room for us.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

TOTAL DISAPPEARING ACT BY CLIPPERS

2006-03-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

A lot of Clipper fans have been talking about tanking to drop out of the 5 spot and avoid facing Dallas or San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs. Well, you heard it here first: the Clippers will have lost the 5 seed within the week and will not come close to regaining it. You can kiss that sucker goodbye.

How can I be so sure? For one, after flapping their gums about how tonight's game would be a battle of toughness, the Clippers showed absolutely none -- never showed up at all -- as the Memphis Grizzlies coasted to a wire-to-wire 95-85 win. Moreover, Memphis' remaining schedule is a Ralph Lawler-certified "cakewalk": while 10 of the Clippers' final 15 games are against playoff-bound opponents, 10 of the Grizzlies' final 14 are against playoff outsiders, starting with the Knicks, Bobcats and Sonics next week. (Don't be surprised when you hear about their eight-game or longer win streak.) Most important, the Grizz are playing playoff basketball, while the Clippers look soft and tired, mentally and physically weak.

Wait a minute, you say, we're eleven games over .500 and Clipper fans have never had it so good. I don't think I'm being too tough on them when Cuttino Mobley said this week, "We should be nineteen games over .500." I'm sure nobody in that locker room is satisfied with the team's level of play in the last two games. Nor am I being a drama queen -- remember, I shrugged off last week's loss in Phoenix -- to suggest they'll have to raise their level measurably to stave off the Kings and Lakers (who close the season with five straight at home) for the 6 seed.

Tonight, the Clippers were a mess from start to finish. Elton Brand finally resembled the Elton Brand we know, recording a 25-and-11 double-double. But only Sam Cassell shared the scoring load, putting up 21 points on 8-17 shooting. Chris Kaman contributed all of seven on 3-9 shooting and made Lorenzen Wright look like an absolute All-Star, completing a trip from hell in fitting fashion. Has he ever hit a wall. Cat Mobley hit just 1-4 before sitting out the second half with a sprained ankle; with Zeljko Rebraca due back within the week, we may find out tomorrow whether Coach Dunleavy will ever get to field a fully healthy roster.

Off the bench, Vladimir Radmanovic was a Matt Pinto-proclaimed "nonfactor," scoring most of his 12 in garbage time, while Corey Maggette was a horror story, shooting 1-5 from the field and committing five turnovers. In total, the Clippers turned the ball over an obscene 24 times, and you'll never win with numbers like that. Meanwhile, Memphis had five men in double figures, taking full advantage of the Clippers' lack of interior defense. The teams post almost identical records, but the Grizzlies appear far sharper coming down the stretch.

The Clippers have feasted on the fair to poor teams in the NBA. And, as Lee Klein notes, all the games count the same. But there's one problem with that: the Houstons and Minnesotas and Chicagos of the league won't be around come playoff time. Tonight was billed as a "statement game," and I can count the team's statement wins on one hand: the last San Antonio game, the Denver back-to-back, the first Miami game, the first Phoenix game. Maybe you throw the last Laker game in, but even the less talented Lakers have bagged more big game than the Clippers. And with both L.A. teams facing higher seeds in the first round, one thing no Laker hater wants -- least of all in this, our best season in forever -- is for the purple and gold to outshine us in the postseason.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

LOSS HAS HIM BARKIN' MAD

2006-03-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well, not really. But certainly better things have come out of the Crescent City than last night's 120-108 Clipper loss to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. Not their famous fried food -- you need a cast-iron stomach to eat that stuff -- but, for example, my favorite book, John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces. Pick it up sometime; if you don't laugh yourself hoarse, I'll buy it back from you.

Or, for instance, The Big Easy, one of the best films of 1987, with Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin, who was so sexy back in the day even I would have switched. Barkin appeared in a string of good movies around that time -- including Sea of Love opposite Al Pacino and the underrated Blake Edwards comedy Switch -- but my favorite line reading of hers came in Bad Company, after Frank Langella invited her to his lakeside retreat for a weekend of fishing. She leaned into his ear and whispered, "I don't want to fish. I want to fu*k."

But back to last night in Nawlins, where the Clippers' defense may have been the worst natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina. A brief review of the good, the bad and the ugly from the game:

The Good:
-- The Clips jumped out to a 12-3 lead and did a lot of things right. They shot 55.4% overall (including 4-5 by Quinton Ross), made seven threes, converted 90.5% of their free throws and outboarded the Bees, 37-35.
-- The Clips' bench continued to produce, paced by Corey Maggette's 25 on 9-15 FGs (3-6 3FGs) and Vladimir Radmanovic's 18 on 6-12 (4-7). The Clips' reserves outscored the Hornets', 45-31.
-- I love the way the Clips reacted to the loss. Take this excerpt from the Long Beach Press-Enterprise: "'We shouldn't have let these guys beat us, man,' said Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley, who later cursed and punched a locker." Sam Cassell and Maggs also lamented the team's lack of toughness. These guys hate to lose, and as an L.A. Kings fan, let me assure you not every professional athlete does.
-- Although the Clips are in no position to play Santa Claus and give games away, the Hornets and their fans have been through enough in the past year to derive special meaning from their win. Better, it moved the Hornets to within a game of the Lakers for the eighth spot in the West (which the Lakers' unbelievably cushy remaining schedule should allow them to retain).

The Bad:
-- The defense took the night off, particularly on the perimeter. I'm not overly concerned, because the Clips have been one of the top defensive teams in the league this season, but the Hornets shot 51.8% overall and an ungodly 54.5% (12-22) from behind the arc. As Ralph Lawler noted, "Dribble penetration is killing the Clippers."
-- Chris Kaman took the week off. After subpar outings against Philadelphia and at Houston, The Big Silly evacuated The Big Easy with an unimpressive six-point, four-rebound performance. Shaun Livingston also never showed up, missing three ugly shots in 13 forgettable minutes.
-- The Hornets dictated the tempo. Nobody will confuse them with the Phoenix Suns, but they play a similar run-and-gun style and the Clippers cooperated, taking 20 three-pointers. Although 35% went down, that's not the Clippers' game. They're first and foremost an inside-out team, and Elton Brand, who scored 24 on 15 shots, needed many more touches.
-- The Clippers made Rasual Butler look like an All-NBA first-teamer. ROY-to-be Chris Paul and David West ran a two-man game to the tune of 21 points apiece, but Butler -- after going 1-for-9 against Denver -- went off for a career-high 32 on 12-16 FGs (7-9 3FGs!) as the Clippers struggled with both the pick-and-roll and individual coverage. Butler later showed class by apologizing to the Clippers for taking a meaningless three-pointer as time expired.

The Ugly:
-- The stat of the night: the Clippers turned the ball over 19 times. As Ralph said, "You have to cherish the ball. Possession is more than nine points of the law, it's everything." Or, to quote Cat, "We had 19 turnovers and they got 34 points. What's left to say?"

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM

2006-03-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

Houston exploited the earlier absence of Corey Maggette from the Clippers' lineup to take a 2-1 lead in the season series, but without Tracy McGrady and David Wesley, one All-Star wasn't enough for the Rockets to keep the Clips from salvaging a split with last night's 99-91 win at Toyota Center. The victory evened the Clips' road record again at 16-16 and tied a Clipper record for most road wins. The franchise record of 19 road wins remains within reach.

Coach Dunleavy may sound silly when he says, "I thought we did a great job of defending Yao Ming even though he had 25 points." But he's right: Yao had been averaging 31 in the Rockets' previous seven games. Chris Kaman continued to struggle against Yao, picking up two quick fouls, but Dunleavy replaced Chris with Vladimir Radmanovic at halftime and assigned Elton Brand to defend Yao. The strategy worked, as the Clips' quick double teams and rotations -- not to mention two big blocks by EB on Yao -- kept the Rockets out of rhythm.

Forced into tough shots late in the shot clock, Houston hit under 43% overall and under 19% from downtown, while the Clips connected on 48% and 40%, respectively. Sam Cassell balanced Yao with 24 points on 9-16 shooting, while fellow former Rocket Cuttino Mobley contributed 14, Brand a quiet 15, and Kaman nine, including two big baskets in the fourth that, after six lead changes and nine ties, put the Clips ahead to stay.

But Houston's starting five outscored L.A.'s, 80-64, including 20 by hot-shooting Rocket rookie Luther Head. The key to the win -- and it's becoming a trend -- was the Clipper bench, led by Corey Maggette's 20 on 7-12 shooting, including back-to-back bingos that turned a 62-60 deficit into a 66-62 lead. Vlad Rad added seven and a team-leading 11 rebounds and Shaun Livingston eight and six assists, affording Cassell the sort of extended rest that will inure to the team's benefit in April and May.

Now 39-26 (.600) and thirteen games over .500 for the first time in three decades, the Clips complete a road back-to-back tonight against the slumping Hornets. Byron Scott's squad will seek to avenge their historic 89-67 loss Mar. 1 in L.A. and to gain ground on the Kings and Lakers for playoff position in the West. The fans at New Orleans Arena could never duplicate the Arco-like atmosphere of the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, but the Hornets' survival instinct should provide all the adrenaline they need to challenge the Clips.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

Baylor Exec of the year?

2006-03-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

No you have not entered the twighlight zone. If you would have asked any Clippers fans that he would one day have a shot at exec of the year, I doubt many would have believed you. Through what we can now call the dark ages of the Clippers, when the team was trying to find the right mix to become what we are today, the thought was far from anyone ones mind. But the original EB for the Clippers has done one hell of a job and is taking a modest approach to the whispers. From the times:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-cliprep21mar21,1,7880767.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-clippe

A Sunday without a game

2006-03-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

It seemed like for a while we were watching a Clippers game ever Sunday or even on Saturday. But alas, the next game is on Monday so here I am filling the gap in your Clipperless weekend. And with everyone in the NBA world focus on the Sunday matchups, the news is little.

The first article is from the Dailybreeze. For those who have never heard of them, they are a paper that Covers from LAX to L.A Harbor. Their Clipper's article are far and few in between, but when they are there they are usually good. This was originally the post game article (Philly) but was updated later in the day.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/articles/2487046.html?showAll=y&c=y

The next article is from a journalist who recently ( as of a few years back) began to take notice of the clippers and is now a fan. Bill Simmon's Page 2 tackles the NBA playoffs pecking order. It is an enjoyable read especially when you get to number 6.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060317

I hope you enjoy these reads I found for you-Tollis

CLIPS 86 THE 76ers

2006-03-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Clips took advantage of Allen Iverson's absence from Staples Center last night, building a lead as large as 22 before settling for a 99-89 St. Patrick's Day defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers. The team's 38th victory of the season eclipses last year's total of 37 with 18 games remaining (about which more later). They now set off on a three-game road trip with a fourth opportunity to rise thirteen games over .500 after failing in three previous attempts.

The Clips jumped out to a six-point lead after one quarter thanks to nine Q1 points from Philly native Cuttino Mobley. Cat rediscovered his shooting touch last night, stroking 8-12 for 20 points. Elton Brand led all scorers with 24 on 11-18 shooting, adding ten rebounds for his 36th double-double. Chris Kaman corralled 12 rebounds but finished a bucket shy of a double-double, missing lay-ups, tip-ins and two-footers with Olowokandiesque frequency. Throw it down, big man!

How great is it to have legitimate NBA starters such as Corey Maggette and Vladimir Radmanovic on the bench? As Matt Pinto noted in the postgame, the Clips have enough scorers that they can afford to start Quinton Ross to prevent the opponent's best player from going off early. Then you bring in a Maggs (11 points in 25 mintues) and a Vladi (15 in 27) and you blow the other team's second unit out of the water (36-15). As Captain Obvious would say, "It's so obvious!"

Shaun Livingston was a game-time decision after rolling an ankle in Phoenix but played and played well, allowing Sam Cassell to rest after recording nine points and six assists in 24 minutes. Shaun also had six assists but was charged with five turnovers; several of those, however, came on beautiful passes that Brand and Kaman failed to anticipate. Coach Dunleavy screamed himself hoarse, but not at The Kid. Boniface N'Dong made the most of his surprise entry, accumulating three points, five rebounds, a block and a steal in eight quality Q2 minutes.

Chris Webber led the Sixers with 19 points, but had just two after halftime. Birthday boy and Ashton Kutcher look-alike Kyle Korver scored 17 (including 4-7 3FGs), matching the game's Clipper All-Star, Steven Hunter, whose 8-10 shooting included several poster dunks against the matador defense of Kaman. Andre Iguodala -- the other AI --scored 11 and John Salmons 10 as all five starters finished in double figures.

Now, a look at the Clips' remaining schedule:
-- Five games against higher WC playoff seeds (vs. SAN, vs. DEN, @ PHX, vs. DAL, @ DAL)
-- Five games against lower WC playoff seeds (@ MEM, @ SAC, vs. SAC, @ LAL, @ MEM)
-- Three games against WC playoff contenders (@ HOU, @ NOK, vs. UTA)
-- Four games against WC playoff also-rans (@ POR, vs. POR, @ SEA, vs. SEA)
-- One game against EC (vs. WAS) -- the Wizards currently hold the sixth seed in the East

The 18 games include five back-to-backs. The opponents have a weighted average record of .533 (34.72-30.44). The Clips have a weighted combined record of 18-19 against them. It's not an easy stretch of games to try to gain momentum for the postseason, but if this challenge daunts the Clips, the playoffs will make mincemeat out of them.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion! -- Jordan

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

2006-03-15T22:08:00.000-08:00

Top ten reasons to pull a Bobby McFerrin despite the Clips' 126-95 road loss to the Phoenix Suns tonight:

10.) It's only one game. We lost by 31 earlier this season, and we've also won by 33.
9.) Nobody else in the NBA plays like the Suns and few could if they wanted to; as Ralph Lawler said, "If you cloned Steve Nash, you could play like this." Let whoever draws Phoenix in the playoffs worry about them. Actually, winning a seven-game series might be easier than trying to adjust to their pace for one game every month or so.
8.) There's almost nothing to learn from tonight that would translate against the rest of the league. The coaching staff will likely not show the players the game film. I went through the boxscore once and will never look at it again.
7.) Any team in the league would have lost tonight to a Suns squad that shot 55.6% overall, 51.6% 3FGs (16-31!), and over 90% FTs. Admittedly, it would have been nice to see the Clips shoot better (34.3%, 26.3% and 66.7%, respectively), but that would only change the margin of defeat.
6.) In some ways, it's better (or at least easier) to lose by 31 than by one.
5.) Yeah, everybody saw us get laughed out of Phoenix, but hey, if opponents look at this game and think we're the same old Clippers, let 'em! Maybe we can still sneak up on a few unsuspecting teams.
4.) You couldn't ask for a better chance to bounce back strong than with a home game Friday night against the Allen Iverson-less Philadelphia 76ers. AI didn't make the Sixers' three-game trip West due to a sprained right foot. The Clips will then have two days off before a tough three-game roadie of their own through Houston, New Orleans and Memphis.
3.) The gravest cause for concern came in the third quarter, when Shaun Livingston rolled an ankle. What any of our Big Eight was doing on the court by that time is beyond me, but as noted we have only one game in the next 100 hours. God willing, Shaun's ankle won't swell up too badly and he'll heal without missing too much time. Meanwhile, Zeljko Rebraca told Ralph he feels good and should be back soon.
2.) Many of us have seen something this week we previously thought existed only in myth: a Clipper playoff ticket invoice.
1.) 37-26, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

News of the Day

2006-03-15T10:32:00.000-08:00

I would like to start this one up with a little something something on the forgotten Clippers. You know who they are? Well actually probably not. They are generally the male cheerleaders at the end of the bench. They are Vin Baker, N'Dong, and Korolev. Going down the stretch and with a need to rest players, time to bring these guys back out according to the Register and Dunleavy.

http://ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/pros/clippers/article_1048439.php

If you are one of those who are chanting for EB for MVP, here is marty Burns take on the MVP Race. Just oto let you know you gotta go the second page to reach EB.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/03/08/mvp.candidates/index.html

And that is the news in a nutshell. I now kinda thin, but there isn't much out there.-Tollis

500th WIN A DUN DEAL FOR COMEBACK CLIPS

2006-03-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

The Clippers' come-from-behind 95-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night at Staples Center held special meaning for several reasons:
-- It marked Mike Dunleavy's 500th NBA win, making him the 25th coach in league history to reach that milestone. With twenty regular-season games remaining, the team has already won as many games (37) as all of last year.
-- It elevated the Clips for the third time this season to their high-water mark of twelve games over .500 at 37-25. The 29-17 Clips lost at Detroit and the 30-18 Clips stumbled at home to Chicago.
-- It gave the Clips a rousing sendoff for their nationally televised clash with the division-leading Suns tomorrow night. They take a four-game win streak, a healthy roster, new confidence and new expectations into the Valley of the Sun.
-- It announced the arrival of Chris Kaman as an emerging star at center. In a game billed as EB v. KG, Kaman asked, "What about me?" Despite shooting just 7-15, the Kaveman scored 24 points and corralled a career-high 23 rebounds to go with four steals and three blocks.

Having said all that, Chris can still play a lot better. He allowed Mark Blount to establish interior position early, as Blount scored most of his 18 in an All-Star-like first half. Kaman ratcheted up his defense in the second half but still overrelies on finesse offensively. A few more monster dunks would cow the opposition and allow Chris to score almost at will.

A few other thoughts: ...The Wolves actually outshot the Clips on the evening as Kaman's difficulty finishing plays carried over to the rest of the team. I have rarely seen so many missed layups, as only Elton Brand (7-14) and Corey Maggette (5-9) managed to make half their shots...Both Brand (14 and 11, 0 FTAs) and Kevin Garnett (13 and 16) posted double-doubles, but each team did a good job of containing the other's superstar...Sam Cassell (17 points, 5 assists) and Marko Jaric (11 points, 3 steals) dueled to a draw...Maggs slashed his way to 15 points in 24 minutes, including 5-5 FTs, and looked his best since coming back...Cuttino Mobley scored 12 and Shaun Livingston dished out four dimes, but both earned their pay on defense. In concert with Quinton Ross, they held Ricky Davis, who scored 18 in the first half, to two in the second...Vladimir Radmanovic only hit one shot, but did he ever make it count. The Wolves' lead seesawed from five to three, to five, to three, to five, to three, before Kaman tied it at 77. On the next possession, Livy drove into the lane and threw it out to Vladi right corner for three: "BIIINGO!!!"...Ross' steal of Jaric's inbounds pass and breakaway dunk iced the win at 93-86 and recalled a similar play he made with the Clips down three in Toronto. In that game, Chris Bosh fouled Q, who converted the and-one to pull the Clips even...One bit of advice for Darrell ("Mr. Clipper") Bailey: When our guys are shooting FTs, make sure you stop chanting before they have to release. Cat missed a pair late and may have been thrown off his rhythm...

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion! -- Jordan

Your Clippers Fix

2006-03-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

I like to introduce myself. My name is Tollis and I am the News editor for the blogger. Not really an editor of any type, but more like a media rat that finds Clippers related news. I will periodically find post for all my fellow Clippers. Today is a game day so it is time to get hyped up for the game. The best way to start your pregame ritual is by reading Pinto's Preview by matt pinto. It will give you a lot of insight on the match ups and what to expect.

http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/pp0506_MIN_060313.html

After watching the game, come back to the blogger and get Jordan's report after the game. On none game days you will see more of me and there is are great info in the LA Confidential http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/pp0506_MIN_060313.html and Around the cooler http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/atc0506_060311.html Don't forget to catch up on more Clippers news on hoopsword where Eric Pincus is on point.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/CLIPPERS.shtml

So we got all your Clippers news so that you can get your fix.-Tollis

Sundry Sunday

2006-03-12T21:17:00.000-08:00

On a day when the Suns, Grizzlies, Lakers and Hornets all lost -- and Sacramento defeated Dallas to overtake NOK for the 8 spot in the West -- here are a few miscellaneous Clipper stats through three quarters of the regular season. -- Jordan

Monday: 4-2 (home: 3-0; road: 1-2)
Tuesday: 5-5 (home: 3-2; road: 2-3)
Wednesday: 7-7 (home: 4-1; road: 3-6)
Thursday: 1-0 (@ ATL Nov. 10)
Friday: 8-4 (home: 3-1; road: 5-3)
Saturday: 7-2 (home: 6-2; road: 1-0)
Sunday: 4-5 (home: 2-4; road: 2-1)

Day: 5-1 (home: 4-1; road: 1-0)
Night: 31-24 (home: 17-9; road: 14-15)
The day games include a Saturday home win, 2-1 at home and 1-0 on the road Sunday, and a Monday home win.

vs. Pacific: 6-5 (5 remaining)
vs. Midwest: 4-7 (7 remaining)
vs. Northwest: 8-3 (7 remaining)
vs. Atlantic: 6-3 (1 remaining)
vs. Central: 4-6 (0 remaining)
vs. Southeast: 8-1 (1 remaining)

Games decided by 1: 1-0
By 2 or fewer: 2-2
By 3 or fewer: 5-3
By 4 or fewer: 6-6
By 5 or fewer: 8-8

Combined record of NOK, POR, SAN and UTA (the four WC teams the Clips play only three times this season): 130-117
Combined record of the Clips' other six WC opponents (non-Pacific): 198-200

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ELTON...

2006-03-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

The Clippers celebrated Elton Brand's 27th birthday with their second road win in two nights, blowing an 18-point lead before pulling away down the stretch to sweep the season series with the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-98. Brand and Chris Kaman paced the Clips with 22 points apiece, including the first threeball of EB's career on an inbounds pass from Sam Cassell at the halftime buzzer.

EB recorded 10 rebounds and six blocks -- he turned the fourth quarter into his own personal block party -- and has now officially served more double-doubles than In & Out. Kaman ordered it animal style, hitting 10 of 13 field goals and posting 10 boards before fouling out late. Together, the two form a frontcourt tandem that -- at their best -- can compete with any in the NBA.

Cassell added 20 points along with five rebounds and four assists, and how often do three teammates go for 20+? Throw in 16 points and five rebounds from Vladimir Radmanovic -- whose pair of treys in the fourth quarter silenced the Bucks' full house -- and 11 in 16 minutes from Corey Maggette, and Coach Dunleavy had an embarrassment of riches even on a night when Cuttino Mobley struggled to score seven on 2-9 FGs.

Michael Redd got to the line at will and converted 14-15 FTs to spearhead Milwaukee's comeback from 42-24 down to 86-85 up midway through the fourth. Redd led all scorers with 32 as the Bucks matched the Clips with five men in double figures. One of them, last year's MIP and former Clipper Bobby Simmons, scored 12 on 26.7% shooting and has not been the same player since his big payday.

With the victory, the Clips even their road record at 15-15 and rise to seventh in the league in RW-HL at +5. (Sixth-place Memphis (+6) has played six fewer games at home than on the road.) The Clips now need one win to equal last season's total of 37, one road win to match the Clipper record of 16, and four road wins to tie the franchise record of 19. Pundits project a team will need 43 wins to make the playoffs in the West. If the Clips can't win one-third of their last 21 -- 36-25 + 7-14 = 43-39 -- they don't deserve to dance.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

CLIPS ARE AVENGING ANGELS

2006-03-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

Not much time to savor the Clips' sweet 107-96 victory at Chicago last night. I didn't see the game (went to a Golden Girls reunion at the Directors Guild -- what could be gayer than that?), but have a few quick thoughts:

-- Outfitted with the same finger brace as Cuttino Mobley, Sam Cassell (still more E.T. than Freddy Krueger) nevertheless hit 61.1% FGs and 100% FTs to lead all scorers by a huge margin with 32.
-- You can't stop Elton Brand, you can only hope to contain him, but the Bulls defended him as well as any opponent this season. EB had only nineteen points but rebounded from two poor showings on the glass with thirteen boards and his 33rd double-double of the campaign.
-- The stats read nearly identically for both teams. The biggest difference: the Clips got to the charity stripe 37 times, converting 33, while the Bulls (who scored four more field goals) hit thirteen of just sixteen attempts.
-- Two other terrific numbers for the Clips: only 8 turnovers (they average 14.4) and 38 big points off the bench to match the Bulls' reserves. Coach Dunleavy told his troops before tip-off that he's going with Brand, Cassell, Mobley, Chris Kaman, Quinton Ross, Vladimir Radmanovic, Shaun Livingston and Corey Maggette the rest of the way. Vlad Rad, Livy and Maggs all responded with double-figure scoring (Vladi: 4-9 3FGs, Twig: 5 dimes, Corey: 10-11 FTs).
-- Before the season, Dunleavy said the team would need to win two-thirds of its home games and go .500 on the road to secure a playoff spot. By avenging the Bulls' 97-91 victory Feb. 12 in L.A. (the one loss I haven't been able to get over until now), the Clips raise their road record to 14-15 and, with a home mark of 21-10, can keep that pace with a win tonight at Milwaukee.
-- The '75-'76 Buffalo Braves also went 35-25 through 60 games and finished 46-36 en route to the franchise's only playoff series win.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

THEY'RE BAAAAAAACK!

2006-03-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

If the Clippers played every night like they played tonight, they'd be one of the elite teams in the league. With everyone committed to Coach Dunleavy's defense-driven gameplan, they delivered 48 minutes of first-rate basketball against the NBA world champions, outlasting and ultimately outclassing the San Antonio Spurs, 98-85. Their performance had Staples Center rocking and Clip fans once again daring to dream big.

For me and my sister Piera (the hottie next to me on the clippers.com Super Fan page), the evening started with a visit to one of our favorite restaurants: r-23 on the railroad tracks between 2nd and 3rd Streets (hence the name). Over a bottle of Asahi, we split some edamame, a Dungeness crab salad, lobster tempura, and yellowtail carpaccio with assorted caviars. Then it was on to sushi: albacore, yellowtail belly, fresh water eel, and spicy tuna roll with gobo. Mochi for me, red bean ice cream for her, and we were off to Staples. Picked up my Clippers fleece blanket (part of the MVP Rewards program), noted happily that the Kings had defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2, and prepared for the Clips' toughest challenge to date.

Let's face it: by responding to their nationally televised two-point loss in Utah with a woeful effort against Memphis, the Clippers sent out warning signs. They looked by turns uninterested, out of sync, and overly confident of a place in the playoffs. To take advantage of the Spurs' second game in two nights, the Clips would have to, in Bill Clinton's words, "focus like a laser beam" on the team's goals and their individual roles.

They did exactly that. Elton Brand outsmarted and outdueled Tim Duncan to win the battle of the MVP candidates. First, EB got Timmah in foul trouble with three midway through Q2 and a fourth midway through Q3. Then he exploited the void, striking for 30 and 9 with five assists and three blocks as the Jumbotron played video from one of his recent "Read to Achieve" events for schoolchildren. The man is a winner on and off the court and, even surrounded by other good guys, especially easy to cheer for.

But EB is EB every night. The unsung hero of the night (and, in my mind, the season) is Quinton Ross. Finally feeling good after his bout with back spasms, Q Ross made the most of his medically alloted 25 minutes oncourt. He shut down Tony Parker in the first half in a way nobody else in the league has. Parker -- whose girlfriend, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, saw both ends of the Spurs' back-to-back (Laker fans booed her; Clip fans didn't) -- finished with twenty points but worked for them like the dickens and got most of them when Q Ross sat down. Meanwhile, Q hit all four of his shots, including the late dagger that had Gregg Popovich emptying his bench.

Sam Cassell -- you remember him? The guy who went 1-7 against Memphis? Well, after dislocating his left pinky finger, he popped it back into place and popped in a fifteen-point, eleven-assist double-double, including six straight baskets during the Clips' decisive 24-8 run that turned a 53-52 Q3 deficit into a 76-61 Q4 lead. We can only hope our spiritual leader has returned from his pilgrimage ready to lead us to the promised land.

Chris Kaman dominated at center, finishing two boards shy of a double-double with fifteen and eight. The Big Silly hit four of six field goals and an amazing seven of eight free throws. Cuttino Mobley rounded out the starting five with eleven points on 50% shooting. And Vladimir Radmanovic hit three of four from downtown, each seemingly bigger than the last. Vlad Rad has really stretched opposing defenses for the Clips while playing decent D himself; if he starts creating off the dribble, watch out, he could be a keeper.

Besides Vlad the Impaler, only Shaun Livingston and Corey Maggette got off the pine as Coach Dunleavy necessarily shortened his bench. Maggs started perfectly by driving hard to the hole for two FTs on his first possession, but got away from that style of play. Later, when the Spurs mounted their final charge, he rebounded his own miss and, one second into a fresh clock, jacked up the same shot. Forget his basketball IQ -- Maggs must understand his role on the newly reconstituted Clippers, which is primarily that of a slasher. Once Coach has a healthy roster, a rushed or contested jumper -- unless it is the only option -- should send Corey to the corner with a conical cap.

But tonight we accentuate the positive. The Clips proved to everybody that they can compete with anybody. Once Zeljko Rebraca comes back and the coaching staff fine-tunes the rotation, the team has the potential to become a twelve-headed monster, legitimately two or three deep at every position. Or, as Pamela Anderson would call it, stacked!

Still, there remains the nagging question: How can a team look so good against the Spurs one night and so bad against vastly inferior teams other nights? As with Goran Ivanisevic, fans never know which team they'll get: the good Clippers, the bad Clippers, or the 911 Emergency Clippers. That inconsistency is what separates the Clips from the Spurs, Mavericks, and Suns of the world and keeps them down with objectively less talented teams such as the Hornets and Lakers.

The team gets its first chance to build on this big win Friday night at Chicago. I continue to point to Feb. 12, when the Clips blew a nine-point lead in a 97-91 home loss to Chicago, as the night the dream of a division title died. The Clips unraveled after that, dropping seven of ten entering tonight. They must bring into Chicago the same attitude Cat Mobley voiced entering Boston: they beat us at home, so we're coming "full throttle" into their house looking for revenge. Ten wins over .500 doesn't seem like too much to ask of the team that dominated the defending champs tonight.

Click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

To Tank or Not To Tank

2006-03-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

It has been a discussion hot and heavy on the boards and it appears to have transcended the fans and into the media. Whether it is better to lose games to be the 6th seeded team or to just win games and let things sort itself out in the end. Here it is from the times and the Coach's mouth. --Tollis

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-cliprep7mar07,1,1796316.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-clippe

Join our disscussions at ClipperTalk

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...

2006-03-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

The Los Angeles Clippers. For best impersonation of a contender. Yeah, they really had me going for a while there, beating up on the Bobcats and Hornets and inflating their record to 33-23. I almost forgot that before the All-Star break they lost to three non-playoff teams by an average of fifteen points. It almost didn't register that they last played a complete 48-minute game against a quality team over a month ago. But now that they've lost seven of ten -- and looked like crap doing it -- it's all coming back.

Thankfully, I Ebayed my tickets for tonight's game and got to watch the Oscars instead of the abortion that was the Clippers' 102-86 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. But from what I understand...

-- The Grizzlies' bench had three men in double figures and shot 7-11 3FGs.
-- Elton Brand followed up a four-rebound performance in Utah with...four rebounds tonight as the Clippers lost their seventh battle of the boards in nine games.
-- Sam Cassell -- our self-anointed and self-appointed leader -- shot 1-7.
-- Cuttino Mobley shot under 40%...again.
-- Chris Kaman had another big first half and yet again disappeared after intermission, this time with a bucket of fouls.
-- Shaun Livingston did not score a field goal, hit 1-4 FTs -- again -- and was called for an eight-second violation -- again. Can you say "bust"?
-- Corey Maggette shot 1-5 in twenty minutes and needs not foot surgery but WD-40.
-- Walter McCarty shot 1-4 in twelve minutes and was a waste of space.
-- The one player who brings instant energy every time out, "Jumpin'" James Singleton, finally got off the bench -- for 1:27 of garbage time.

With time and proper guidance, this team should become a well-oiled machine with underperforming parts replaced by substitutes capable of keeping the engine purring. Right now, though, it's soul-searching time for everybody from the coach on down. 33 wins won't get them into the playoffs, and they're not playing well enough to beat anybody, let alone the incoming defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. If they don't raise their game, they could find themselves on the outside looking in. And after their tremendous start, the only word for that would be...crash. -- Jordan

A Little Clippers news in the Morning

2006-03-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

What a way to start your Saturday. A cup a joe, a bite to eat, maybe a little morning something something, and a whole lot of Clippers. Though Last night game was a tough loss, here are some articles from the local paper (whom incidentally are giving us more prep them bandwagoners). Here are offerings from the Times and Register. The Press Telegram are still full of haters and Kome Lovers so we won't get into them.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers4mar04,1,2982474.story?coll=la-headlines-sports
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers4mar04,1,2982474.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

Also on the Clippers blotter is some news on Vlad Rad and Dun from the times.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-cliprep4mar04,1,5307309.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

Stay tuned Clippers lovers as I scour the web finding articles on the Clippers.

-Tollis

CLIPPERS CAN'T CLIMB MOUNTAIN

2006-03-03T23:52:00.000-08:00

One day after Charles Barkley suggested the Clippers could contend for the Western Conference crown, the team delivered a performance that made the national ESPN audience shrug its collective shoulders and say, as Queen Latifah sang in Fly Girl, "You must be mad." The Clippers simply didn't show up to play the Utah Jazz until too late, falling behind by fourteen midway through the second quarter before succumbing for the 33rd time in 34 games at the Delta Center, 105-103. A 96-89 decision on January 22, 2003 remains their only victory in Salt Lake City since April 18, 1989.

All indications had been that Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko would sit the game out with back spasms. When he took to the court for the warm-up, it seemed to cast a pall over the Clippers, as though they'd been expecting an easy win and weren't ready for a fight. The first quarter buttressed that theory, as the Clips fell behind by as many as eleven on some of their sloppiest play of the season. They would spend the rest of the night in a Sisyphean struggle to scale that mountain.

Elton Brand led all scorers with 31 but had more blocks (five) than rebounds (four), as the Clippers lost yet another battle of the boards. Vladimir Radmanovic posted a double-double with seventeen points (including 5-8 3FGs) and thirteen rebounds, but missed several key defensive rotations. After deferring to his teammates too much throughout the game, Sam Cassell erupted late to finish with sixteen points, including two free throws that knotted the game at 103 in the closing seconds before Deron Williams threw in the game-winning floater.

In his long-awaited return, Corey Maggette hit 3-11 FGs and 5-6 FTs in 25 minutes. He looked smaller than before and jacked up a number of bad shots either too early in the shot clock or when too well covered. As one poster wrote, "It's too bad Maggette didn't rehab his brain." We've all missed Maggs' aggressiveness and athleticism, but with Chris Wilcox gone, his low basketball IQ really stands out now on this squad.

Another returning Clipper, Chris Kaman had ten points (all in the first half) and eight rebounds. Too many times this year Chris has had big first quarters or first halves and disappeared after intermission a la Michael Olowokandi. He also made some bad passes that led to Jazz fastbreaks and missed a few rotations of his own (the Jazz had six dunks, the Clippers none). The Clippers' early lethargy manifested itself in a slowness to the ball and nonchalance with it that have become far too frequent in recent weeks.

Shaun Livingston had five points in fifteen minutes of relief but was pulled for good just as he hit his stride. Earlier, he had driven to the basket for what should have been an and-1, but as Ralph Lawler noted, "Shaun just cannot finish AT ALL." He missed the easy layup and missed three of four foul shots. Shaun really needs to stay after practice to work on his FTs. Meanwhile, Coach Dunleavy may have stayed too long with Walter McCarty, who did nothing good on either end of the court in his eleven minutes. James Singleton wasn't a DNP-CD; he was on the inactive list and appears -- inexplicably to us outsiders -- to have replaced Wilcox in Dun's doghouse. Quinton Ross saw just 35 seconds of late action as a defensive stopper.

For the game, L.A. -- who entered as the league's best defensive team -- allowed Utah to shoot 47.6% overall and 58.3% from beyond the arc. The Clips actually executed with equivalent efficiency (48.6% overall and 52.9% 3FGs); the difference was that, thanks to four more offensive rebounds (12-8) and six fewer turnovers (8-14), the Jazz generated twelve more shots (84-72) and five more makes (40-35).

Mehmet Okur absolutely torched the Clippers with 29 points on 11-16 shooting, including a dagger threeball in the final minute. And Kirilenko, despite only eight points, set the tone early with his blocks and steals as the Jazz outworked the Clippers from the opening tip. Each team ended with six players in double figures, but the Jazz bench outscored the Clipper reserves, 36-17.

Even with AK-47 in the Jazz lineup, the Clippers are clearly the superior team on paper. When your franchise is finally good -- as the Clippers are -- it's so important to go out and get wins in places and against teams that have had your number. It gets the monkey off your back and frees you to make new mental and muscular memories. The Clippers did it earlier in Portland but have squandered chances against Sacramento and now Utah and have quietly lost five straight on the road.

They'll return to the friendly confines of Staples Center for an Oscar Night clash with the Grizzlies and will have to hope the Lakers tire the Spurs out Monday ahead of their matchup with San Antonio on Tuesday. Meanwhile, click on Clipper Talk and join the discussion. -- Jordan

Video - Elton Brand taunting Phil Jackson

2006-03-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

After stealing the ball and dunking it, Elton Brand taunts Phil Jackson by advising him to call a timeout.

-devin

EASY AS WIN-2-3 FOR CLIPS

2006-03-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Like a bad actor, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets refused to follow the script. It was Elton Brand Bobblehead Night at Staples Center. It was Hardwood Classics Night. It was supposed to be one long party for Clipper fans. But four minutes into the third quarter, Byron Scott's front line of P.J. Brown, David West and (tonight's Clipper All-Star) Desmond Mason had exposed the Chris Kaman-less Clips' lack of interior defense en route to a 59-49 lead that threatened to rewrite the happy ending.

That's when Coach Dunleavy implemented a 2-3 half-court zone, and for the Hornets, time stood still. 59-49 became 59-52, 59-55, 59-56, 59-57, 59-59, 59-61, 59-62, 59-64, 59-66, 59-68, 59-70, 59-71, 59-72, 59-74. The Hornets, who don't play again until Monday, will have five long, sleepless nights to see the number 59 in their nightmares. They didn't score for 12:41 of playing time and went without a basket for 14:19. After shooting 55% in the first half, they shot under 15% (5 of 34) in the second to set a shot-clock era record for fewest points in a half with sixteen. The Clips won the last twenty minutes, 40-8, and the game, 89-67.

The Clips have been a good third quarter team all season, but never this good. During their historic defensive stand, they clogged the lane and forced the Hornets to take tough outside shots. How tough? The Hornets shot 0.0% (0 of 9) from the arc. Anytime the Bees tried to penetrate in the paint, the Clips' bigs shut them down. On several possessions the official scorer had his choice of three or four Clips to credit with a block. If you love great, smothering defense as I do -- I'd take it over highlight-reel dunks any day -- be sure to record the game when FSN2 re-airs it at 1 p.m. Thursday.

EB led the way offensively on his night with 25 and 7 on 61.1% FGs. Sam Cassell contributed fifteen and Cuttino Mobley fourteen on more mediocre shooting. Vladimir Radmanovic had eight, all in the first few minutes, but added nine rebounds and five assists after Mason took him out of the offense with two early fouls.

Zeljko Rebraca, subbing for Kaman at the starting 5, posted seven points, as did Walter McCarty, whose energy and veteran savvy fueled the Clips' defensive run. Waltah's seven boards helped the Clips come back from an almost double-digit deficit in that department to outrebound Oklahoma City 41-37. Shaun Livingston turned in a solid performance at both ends of the court, finishing with eight points (on 66.7% shooting), five assists, four blocks and three rebounds.

With the win, the Clips sweep the three-game homestand to improve their home record to 20-9, seventh-best in the NBA (as is their RW-HL mark of +4). They owe the road two games (Phoenix owes the road six) and will give one back Friday night at Utah, another longtime house of horrors. The nationally televised jam with the Jazz will mark the return of Corey Maggette. Quinton Ross may also suit up and it's possible, though unlikely, that Kaman could be back. Given the caliber of opponent they'll face when they get back home (Memphis and San Antonio), the Clips must find a way to distill a win in Salt Lake.

Quick thoughts: ...If the Clips hadn't scored in the fourth, they'd still have won -- by one...On Dec. 14, the Clips' 89 points made for a thirteen-point loss in OKC. The same 89 points tonight were good enough for a 22-point win...If Dunleavy and Scott remain in the COTY race at season's end, Dun's supporters can point to tonight's game as Exhibit A...Click on ClipperTalk and join the discussion! -- Jordan

CLIPS TAKE CARE, T.C.B.

2006-02-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

If NBA games lasted 50 minutes rather than 48, Charlotte might have come all the way back from the 21 points down they found themselves midway through the third quarter tonight at Staples Center. Time ran out on the Bobcats, though, keeping them 0-for-the Clippers in their two-year history after the 95-87 defeat. But the Clips never have it easy with Charlotte: their four wins in the series include one in double overtime, another on a last-second Shaun Livingston layup, and two ugly eight- and nine-point wins this season.

Elton Brand led the way, as he usually does, with 35 points and ten rebounds on 15-23 shooting. (He started 10-13.) Sam Cassell emerged from his slump with a double-double of his own: eighteen points and eleven assists along with four steals. (Brevin Knight's double-double was even more impressive: twelve points and a jaw-dropping seventeen assists.) Cuttino Mobley hit just 3-10 FGs but got to the line more than anyone and finished with fourteen points as the Clips' third option.

Vladimir Radmanovic cooled off a bit from the Laker game but ended only one rebound shy of a double-double of his own. Zeljko Rebraca was not expected to play but came off the bench for ten points on 5-7 shooting in seventeen minutes. It's great to see Z healthy and contributing. And surprise starter Walter McCarty, emboldened by his success against the Lakers, filled up the stat sheet with four points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 32 big minutes.

The film session will be as ugly as the game. Although L.A. outshot Charlotte 48.1% to 41.8%, the Clips corralled just five offensive rebounds in losing yet another battle of the boards. More ominously, they turned the ball over a whopping 23 times. You may get away with that against the team with the worst record in the league; repeat it Wednesday night against the Hornets and they'll blow you out of the building.

Coach Dunleavy would indubitably have liked to rest his starters. But the combination of the Clips' sloppiness and the Bobcats' refusal to go away kept the game from getting to garbage time. So Vin Baker didn't make his Clipper debut, James Singleton was yet again nowhere to be seen, and only Zelly and Livy (two assists, two turnovers and five fouls in fifteen minutes) saw significant action off the bench.

For the Clips, the win made February a winning month (barely): They posted a 7-6 record following a 10-5 November, a 6-7 December, and a 9-5 January. As March blows in, the Clips sit in fifth place in the West, 1-1/2 games ahead of the #6 Hornets (Wednesday), 2 ahead of the #7 Grizzlies (Sunday), 4-1/2 ahead of the #8 Lakers, and 5-1/2 ahead of the #9 Jazz (Friday). Get the feeling this week -- before all the injured guys come back (God willing) -- is kinda important?

Join the game discussion at Clipper Talk. -- Jordan

CLIPS EVICT LAKERS

2006-02-25T22:42:00.000-08:00

Some NBA analysts predict that a team will need 45 wins to make the Western Conference playoffs. Others project a number closer to 41. The Clippers had been acting like they thought 30 would do the trick. Entering last night's game with their cross-town rivals, they'd been stuck on the big 3-0 for five games over two miserable weeks. Fortunately, the Lakers did for the Clips what they've done for half the teams in the league: ended their longest losing streak of the season. The Clips got back into the "W" column in high style, blowing Kobe and company out of Staples Center, 102-83.

To do so, the Clips had to overcome numerous obstacles. Chris Kaman went out after playing nine minutes with an ankle sprain and will miss at least two more games -- eerily, the same prognosis given when Corey Maggette first went down. Sam Cassell's shooting slump continued unabated: E.T. hit just 2-10 overall and 0-4 from the outer rings. The third-best free throw-shooting team in the league hit just 22-35 (62.9%). And while several Lakers got away with dirty plays, Kobe got to the line anytime a Clipper breathed on him.

But the Clips did so many things so well, they still romped to victory. First and foremost, the Clips' defenders -- everyone from Cuttino Mobley to Shaun Livingston to Vladimir Radmanovic to Walter McCarty -- contained Kobe. Yes, Kobe scored 39 -- but he took just two fewer shots than the rest of the Lakers' starters combined. And the Lakers lack a consistent second scorer, let alone a third. Only Chris Mihm with eleven joined Kobe in double digits. Brian Cook had nine, Lamar Odom and Smush Parker eight apiece. Kwame Brown went scoreless -- yeah, that's a good #1 pick.

Meanwhile, Elton Brand matched Kobe with another monster game: 32 points, eleven rebounds and four blocked shots. As the (nationally televised) game progressed, the battle of the MVP candidates became the most scintillating of its many storylines. And who won? One word: scoreboard!

And let's not forget about Mobley, who continues to fill up the stat sheet. Cat contributed 22 points on 7-13 FGs, including a couple of bailouts when he got the ball in bad position late in the shot clock and had to jack it up. Cuttino's had good days and bad days, but he's borne a heavy burden on defense -- well -- and still provided a realiable scoring threat, slashing to the basket when the threeball hasn't been falling.

And speaking of the threeball, what can you say about Vlad Rad? The big lug only hit five of eight from the arc -- okay, so one of the misses was an airball -- and you want to talk about stretching defenses? On a night when Chris Wilcox -- who languished behind EB on the Clips' bench -- scored 20 for Seattle, the wisdom of the trade for both teams became clear.

Livingston showed good aggressiveness and posted eight assists with no turnovers in 21 big minutes. Zeljko Rebraca matched Livy with four points and added five boards in fifteen healthy minutes. But it was McCarty who broke out with a walk-in slam dunk and a dagger from downtown in the fourth. Waltah probably didn't expect to see eighteen minutes of action, but he stepped up and gave a great accounting of himself. The crowd went wild and would love to see more of the same.

The atmosphere was electric all night, but the party really started in the third. The Lakers trailed virtually wire to wire but pulled to within two at 62-60 midway through the quarter. Then the Clips stepped up their defense several notches, swarming the Lakers and forcing ten Q3 turnovers (as many as the Clips had all night). The Lakers literally couldn't call a timeout before turning the ball over during a 19-2 run that put the Clips up 81-62 after three. My friend Chucky -- the Laker fan -- turned to me with pleading eyes and whined, "Can we go yet?"

Now -- perhaps using the new motto, "Good teams don't lose six in a row" -- the Clips turn their attention to a Monday night visit from the league-worst Bobcats. The Clips will be without Kaman, Quinton Ross (expected to miss two more weeks with back spasms), and the rapidly improving Maggs, while franchise player Emeka Okafor sits on the Charlotte sideline. 31 is a nice number for ice cream, but with the Clips' tough schedule the rest of the way, they must make Monday win #32.

Join the game discussion by clicking the Clipper Talk icon. -- Jordan

2006-02-24T18:42:00.000-08:00

Video - Livingston around the back to Brand

CLIPPERS COME BACK TO PACK

2006-02-23T10:25:00.000-08:00

Two pieces of good news from the Clippers' "Texas Two-Step" through Dallas and Houston: 1) Most importantly, it's over. 2.) The Clips covered the spread both nights. Unless you had action, though (or got a little on the side), you probably cried in your Cheerios this morning. Two heartbreakers in a row can do that to you.

Whereas the Clippers had chances to take late leads against the Mavericks, the Rockets kept just far enough in front to prevent any last-second heroics. The Clippers pulled to within four thrice in the final frame but would get no closer as the Rockets held on for the 106-102 victory, their eleventh in the last twelve with the Clips. Each Clipper on the court blew at least one big play down the stretch.

The problems that plagued the Clippers during the dog days of late December and early January have returned with a vengeance. With Quinton Ross out, L.A. allowed Houston to shoot 48.1% from the field -- hardly what Peter Scolari on Newhart would call a "co-inky-dink." The Rockets considerably outrebounded the Clippers (12-33-45 vs. 10-26-36). Sam Cassell shot 6-18 overall and 0-4 behind the arc, reminiscent of games when I wrote he was "singlehandedly killing" the Clips. Chris Kaman continues to wilt against legitimate opposing centers, his 11 and 7 paling in comparison with Yao Ming's 29 and 15.

Thus did the Clippers waste Cuttino Mobley's best effort of the year (30 points including 5-7 3FGs) and another monster game from Elton Brand (32 and 12 with a pair each of assists, steals and blocked shots). The Clipper All-Star of the Game: role player David Wesley, who torched the Clips for 21 on 8-10 shooting (4-4 2FGs, 4-6 3FGs) -- good enough to shut my mouth if not Sam's.

All eyes now turn downtown for tomorrow night's matchup with the hated Lakers. It's the opener of a three-game homestand that will also bring the Bobcats and Hornets to Staples Center. Beating the Lakers is always big, but it's almost mandatory at this point. The Clippers must stop the bleeding from a season-long five-game slump.

My friend Chucky has the same season seats for the Lakers I have for the Clips (although he pays about four times the price), and we take each other to the Clipper-Laker games. Since it's a Clipper home game, he's taking me to Engine Co. No. 28, a cool restaurant in a converted firehouse on Figueroa north of 7th St. If you've never been, they make good drinks, a great cheeseburger and awesome onion rings. But they only run their shuttle to Staples for -- boo, hiss -- Laker home games.

Join the discussion of the game by clicking the Clipper Talk icon. -- Jordan

BREAK'S OVER; SLUMP ISN'T

2006-02-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

The Clippers played well enough on the road tonight to beat most teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, the Dallas Mavericks are not most teams. The Clippers gave Mark Cuban a good scare and gave themselves a chance to win at the end -- something few of the Mavs' opponents have experienced at American Airlines Center this season -- but again find themselves doing what they've said they don't want to do anymore: searching for positives after a loss.

The Clips battled hard all night. They knew they had to stay in the game early to avoid a repeat of the debacle Jan. 20 at Staples Center, in which Dallas stormed out to a 37-21 lead after one quarter and the Clippers never came within spitting distance. The Mavs threatened to pull away again tonight, hitting an eye-popping twelve of their first sixteen shots, but eight points from Elton Brand, seven from Chris Kaman, and a pair of Clipper moneyballs by Sam Cassell kept the Clips within six at 31-25 after one. Hot streaks by Cassell, Kaman and Cuttino Mobley, the first of Vladimir Radmanovic's three triples, and a pair of FTs by Zeljko Rebraca (how nice is it to see Big Z back in the lineup?) pulled the Clips within 55-50 at the half.

The Clips have started third quarters well most of the season. Coach Dunleavy gives them the gameplan at halftime; they go out and execute it. Tonight, however, the Mavs won the first 6:40 of the second half 18-8 to build their biggest lead at 73-58, largely on the back of Josh Howard. 23 points on sizzling 9-11 shooting from the field made Howard tonight's Clipper All-Star (i.e., the opponent whom the Clippers make to look like an All-Star).

But the Clips battled back. Shaun Livingston's good, aggressive nine-foot running jumper made it 86-84 Dallas 4:40 into the fourth. But as their All-Star got hot -- Dirk Nowitski followed a driving layup with two sixteen-foot jumpers to extend the Mavs' lead back to eight less than a minute and a half later -- ours -- undoubtedly fatigued from the weekend's activities in Houston -- wore down: EB finished with 20 and 8 on just 40% FGs.

But bingos by Cassell and Vlad Rad made it 92-91 Dallas with 3.9 seconds on the clock and Howard at the line for two. Clips fans' memories returned to Dec. 10, 2003, when then-Mav Steve Nash, in the same situation, missed both foul shots and the Clips had the ball as time wound down. Ralph Lawler: "Elton Brand, for the win...NO!...Chris Kaman, the tip-in...NO!...it bounces out to Glen Rice, for the win...YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Returning to reality, Howard missed the first foul shot. Maybe, we all thought, lightning could strike twice. Then, Howard missed the second shot -- but he missed it so badly it bounced out to Jerry Stackhouse, who was fouled with 1.2 seconds left as Mike Smith moaned, "You have to get that rebound." Yep, you do -- but Stackhouse left the door open. He missed the first of two and hit the second, giving the Clips the ball down 93-91. Dunleavy diagrammed the same play the team ran in Toronto, but this time Livy found EB under the basket for a tying two. His pass, though, overshot the mark. EB could only flail at it, starting the clock by touching it, and watch the last grain of sand trickle down the hourglass.

It takes a superhuman effort to beat the Mavs at home, where they've lost only four times in 27 games. Tiny imperfections are magnified severalfold. In this regard, consider the following: Both teams shot 72.2% FTs, but the Clippers' 13-18 resulted in thirteen fewer points than the Mavs' 26-36. The Clippers lost both halves of the rebounding battle by two (10-30-40 vs. 12-32-44). The Clippers had one fewer assist, one more turnover. The Mavs' bench scoring doubled theirs at 22-11.

Admittedly, the Mavs' second five could start for many teams in the league; in fact, they have. But a team with the temerity -- as Melanie Griffith lisped in Shining Through, "My grandfather called it chutzpah" -- to let down at home against the Chicago Bulls (and let's face it, the Clippers started their All-Star break four days early) must atone for its sins. You give away one you should win, you have to steal one you should lose.

And though there are positives, tonight does indeed go down as just another loss, the team's fourth straight with another tough matchup tomorrow night in Houston. The Clippers lead Memphis by all of 1/2 game, the Hornets by 1-1/2, the Lakers by 3-1/2. Sacramento is suddenly six back with a bullet. In Just Go Away, Blondie sang, "Your foot is firmly entrenched where a molar should be." The Clippers, too, now find themselves firmly entrenched -- in the lower tier of the Western Conference playoff race.

Join the discussion of the game by clicking the Clipper Talk icon. -- Jordan