Clippers!

[jhwalker]

I have watched a couple of the Spurs games and I think they might be the best "basketball players". They are pretty feeble as athletes (IMHO) but seem to understand picks, lanes, angles, passing, finesse. If Parker and Methuselah Duncan stay healthy, they could get a title.

[Tetge]

I too like the Spurs since they never panic and they run plays and the basketball that they play seems more connected to "real" basketball than other teams in this day and age. And, it is also clear that the coach is in charge and that he makes a difference. The Clippers have a lot of scoring potential, which means that they can beat anyone. But, they continue to do stupid things, and, they were lucky to come back and win game 4 when it appeared that they had handed the game to OKC early on. Jordan's free throwing still looms as a major defect that can be attacked by other teams if it is a close game, so, the Clippers need to always score a lot and get a big lead. But, scoring appears to come and go for everyone, so, teams that play great defense can do so without any let downs, and stay in games, and the Spurs play great defense. Some say that Miami can turn on the defense as well, so, this might forecast who will meet in the finals. But, at this point, it is cloudy for me how things will turn out.

[Tetge]

Today the Clippers folded down the stretch. Doc should have taken a time out so I partially blame him, but, the turnovers at the end of the game were inexcusable. It appears that the Clippers are not ready for success.

[SVTRonDogg]

Today the Clippers folded down the stretch. Doc should have taken a time out so I partially blame him, but, the turnovers at the end of the game were inexcusable. It appears that the Clippers are not ready for success.

Chris Paul made 3 HUGE mistakes in about 10 seconds.

Foul on the horrible 3 attempt, the turnover/steal and the lost ball at the end.

[jhwalker]

I would be surprised but not shocked for the Clippers to win the next two. I think that they are a better team, and OKC is vulnerable to Westbrook having one of his strange games. Their big men are old, feeble or unskilled.

Yes, pretty bad final minute for CP, but they would not be where they are without him. Go Clips.

[Tetge]

Order has been restored and the final four teams are pretty much the ones that were predicted to be there. At this point, I would like to see the Spurs win it all, but, I really am not all that interested. As for the Clippers? My feeling it that they were as close to success as they are ever likely to get ever again, and they did not have what it took. They were entertaining to watch at times, as when they were on they could score with the best of them, but, not consistent or disciplined enough to advance very far in the play offs.

I wonder if Doc will coach the Clippers next year?

[jhwalker]

Order has been restored and the final four teams are pretty much the ones that were predicted to be there. At this point, I would like to see the Spurs win it all, but, I really am not all that interested. As for the Clippers? My feeling it that they were as close to success as they are ever likely to get ever again, and they did not have what it took. They were entertaining to watch at times, as when they were on they could score with the best of them, but, not consistent or disciplined enough to advance very far in the play offs.

I wonder if Doc will coach the Clippers next year?

Well, I thought they provided us some fun, and do think that the Thunder are vulnerable.

That 6 points again. I only saw the end of the game. Seems like the subs went missing, Barnes was AWOL.

Doc is under contract so I think they would have to fire him. Don't see him walking away, and when they are very close to making the conference finals, why would someone fire the coach?

[Tetge]

Order has been restored and the final four teams are pretty much the ones that were predicted to be there. At this point, I would like to see the Spurs win it all, but, I really am not all that interested. As for the Clippers? My feeling it that they were as close to success as they are ever likely to get ever again, and they did not have what it took. They were entertaining to watch at times, as when they were on they could score with the best of them, but, not consistent or disciplined enough to advance very far in the play offs.

I wonder if Doc will coach the Clippers next year?

Well, I thought they provided us some fun, and do think that the Thunder are vulnerable.

That 6 points again. I only saw the end of the game. Seems like the subs went missing, Barnes was AWOL.

Doc is under contract so I think they would have to fire him. Don't see him walking away, and when they are very close to making the conference finals, why would someone fire the coach?

Considering that Sterling is going to fight the NBA and that this could take a long time, with even a possibility that Sterling will end up retaining all, or some (his wife's 50) of the ownership. Doc and Magic and allegedly all the players have indicated that all Sterlings must be removed as owners so this could end up a real issue depending on the courts. Some say,Sterling's attorney, for one, that there is nothing in the bylaws of the NBA that would give the NBA the authority to remove Sterling, even with the 75%, or greater, vote, as he did not violate any of the specific articles calling for a vote to remove him as owner.

So, will the coach and players ask the NBA to release them from their contracts? Knowing the courts, the real drama will not be played out for some time to come, and it could be tricky as property rights, and lots of money, are involved.

[SVTRonDogg]

The political drama to come will be interesting. Stern's attorney has already stated that he will not pay the $2.5m fine against him.

As for the Clippers, I couldn't be happier to see them run to the locker room in tears. The Team's constant disrespect of the Lakers history is disgraceful, and their giant egos finally got the best of them. Also Blake fouled out again? Blake and Barnes are dirty as shit.

[jhwalker]

The political drama to come will be interesting. Stern's attorney has already stated that he will not pay the $2.5m fine against him.

As for the Clippers, I couldn't be happier to see them run to the locker room in tears. The Team's constant disrespect of the Lakers history is disgraceful, and their giant egos finally got the best of them. Also Blake fouled out again? Blake and Barnes are dirty as shit.

I missed the disrespect of Laker's history. It wasn't
"Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers losing 142-94 is the biggest margin of defeat this once-great franchise has ever seen. The previous franchise worst was a 46-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers back in 1995. But they didn't share a city with the Blazers. They didn't share a building. They didn't spend decades making the other team feel like an unwanted houseguest in Los Angeles.
Game recap
Clippers 142, Lakers 94
The Lakers didn't merely lose by 48 points Thursday night; they lost by 48 points to the Los Angeles Clippers. It's no secret the Clippers are the better team. That has been well-established for the second successive season. It's the fact that the Lakers simply can't do anything about it, and there isn't an excuse for what's going on out there other than the team sucks. It's the only explanation offered up.", was it?

As a Laker fan since 1968 when I moved to LA, and as a 12 year "good seats" season ticket holder until we moved too far away to fight the mid-week traffic, I don't think anyone can disrespect the Lakers more than the Lakers are disrespecting themselves. 27W and 55L The great Laker teams probably are happy to not associate with this group of dogs. I do think they will come back, as it is the "law of good franchises". Just not sure when, and not sure if it is possible with Jim Buss...

I am not a Clipper fan, I leave that to Tetge. But when one's own team is in the terlet and due to the Kobe gift will probably be there for a while, it is nice to see a local rep in the post-season.