<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It seems Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy can't do anything right. Reporters covering the Clippers-Suns Western Conference semifinals series continued to criticize Dunleavy's substitutions and strategy after the Clippers lost, 125-118, in double overtime Tuesday in Game 5 at US Airways Center. Of course, Dunleavy in only three years has helped to transform the Clippers from a laughingstock to a team two victories away from a conference finals appearance. "I've heard some of the criticism about Coach, but those people are novices to Clippers basketball," power forward and co-captain Elton Brand said. "They haven't watched us all season. "No disrespect, we appreciate new fans and new media, but these are people who got on the bandwagon a little bit late. They missed those same scenarios that worked many times." Under Dunleavy this season, the Clippers had their highest victory total in California and won a postseason series for the first time in 30 years. He has had a major role in personnel decisions while working closely with General Manager Elgin Baylor, scheduled to receive the NBA's executive of the year award tonight before Game 6. The shots bother Dunleavy, he said, because many of his critics are uninformed about the team and its personnel. "I know where this team was when I came here, everyone said it was a suicide job, and I know where this team is now," he said.</div> Source
Good for Brand to stick up for his coach. But all bs aside, Dunleavy has made some CRUCIAL mistakes in this series that might cost him. First, it was not playin Sam Cassell down the stretch that one game where the Clippers lost at home. Then he decides to throw a rookie in a win or lose situation, when he had other defenders he couldve used. I like Dunleavy, but some of his decisions have left me baffled.
