Clippers Improvement

Considering CP3 was still out... I was pleased with the Clippers effort tonight. The 3rd Q was dagger for LA but they were also a good bit unfortunate... a lot of their shots were on during that stretch but just drew back iron. Their bench has gotten leaps and bounds better due to the injuries throughout the season though and Deandre Jordan has also noticeably improved in all aspects of the game (most especially at the line). I really had hoped they could pick up a solid SF during the trade window but I still like where they stand as playoffs approach.

Call me crazy but (if healthy) I think they can beat the Spurs in a series this year and I think they will give the Warriors a run for their money if it comes down to that too. At this point, chances are they won't seal the 3 spot over the Rockets (so they would run into Warriors before conf. finals if it came to that) but it is possible when CP3 comes back--- if they go on a run. The other thing that should be noted is that one major injury to the GS Warriors (Durant or Curry) during playoffs and suddenly that team becomes more or less an equal to the Clippers, Spurs, or Rockets. I'm not saying it will happen but one injury could create chaos in the Western Conference.

Are you ok?

Waiting for the Doc Rivers era to end. Anything less than the WCF and hes canned.  

I strongly disagree with you.

I watched the whole game and the Clips were not terrible. 3rd Q was the downfall for sure. Warriors couldn't miss a shot then and Clips couldn't buy a shot. Clippers absolutely dominated the 1H and had the 3rd Q been even remotely different, it would have been a nail biter ending. Like I said, considering Chris Paul was sidelined, I think Clips should be relatively encouraged by the effort and Warriors are the ones that should be walking away from this a bit concerned.

GSW's weakness became clearer than day in this game: if you can work the paint consistently, you can beat them. That might not stand for the nights when they can't miss a shot from behind the arc but they do and will have their off games. Look at the shot chart, Clippers missed quite a few buckets in the paint that clearly need to be made. Another interesting bit about that... look at the foul disparity. Golden State was fouling at a rate that would have got them into big trouble if they game had continued as it went in the 1st half. If you can get it down low, you can force the Warriors into silly fouls. And, not that it matters tons, but I won't even talk about D. Green's composure-- childish to say the least.

How do you blow a 15 point lead then? Maybe the real question is, how do you allow a team without their starting PG get a 15 point lead in Oracle in the first place?

Mark my words. If either Curry or Durant are injured in the playoffs, it will spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E in the WCF. A lot of people are going to lose a lot of money if that happens. You can come back at me after playoffs and make a jab at me if this scenario plays out and GSW goes on to advance to the Finals.

Absolutely, this year is make or break for Doc.