Well the Clippers got the year off to a excellent start with a win in key Arena against the Sonics. Honestly, I didnt think the Clippers played that well...the ball movement wasnt that good in my opinion. And they didnt do a good job of getting Brand in the game early. But a strong performance from some key role players all game long but particularly early in the 4th quarter was major for the Clippers. They started the 4th quarter down by 13, as Sam Cassell's, who killed the Sonics in the 1st half, jumper went south in the third quarter. But the 4th quarter was a major turnaround for the Clippers....with Mobley and Brand on the bench the Clippers 2nd unit really shined. The Unit of Singleton, Ewing, Ross, Wilcox and Cassell, cut the lead down to 7 before Brand even step back on the floor. And it wasnt Cassell's shooting that brought them back at this point. It was Ewing making a couple of key offensive plays..Singleton working on the offnseive boards. Wilcox made a couple solid moves out the post. And Cassell only took 1 shot during this time period, he was just orchestrating the young kids where to go on the floor and got a couple of assist. But I think the young guys(Ross, Singleton,Ewing) showed that the preseason wasnt a fluke and they have a change to be an asset to this Clipper team. Anyway, the 2nd half of the 4th quarter was dominated by the veterans Mobley played good Defense keeping the ball out of the Sonics clutch best players hands, Sam put the team on his back offsensively, as expected...and Brand created 2nd chance opportunites and covered the defensive boards. But anyway, with Maggette and not really playing well for most of the 2nd half. And still getting the W in my opinion, shows potentially how good this Clippers team can be once guys get back Maggette will add a penetrating/shasher to this team..cause that was a key thing I think they were missing at times tonight. The game became very jump shot oreintated, which happens at times with Sammy at the point.But a guy like Corey can change the tune of the team and add balance on the perimeter. Anyway, what do you guys think of the Clippers win tonight?
wow sam cassell played crazy today He played like an all-star (similar to two years ago) KG must be pisssedd lol
Didn't get to see the game, which was quite dissapointing, but how's everyone liking Singleton? I mentioned him before, and I really liked what I saw from him in training camp and pre-season, I expect something like 8-9 PPG and 5-6 RPG from him this season, nice player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ROCK4LIFE:</div><div class="quote_post">The Clippers are just too solid. Brand is the most solid player in the league, outside of Duncan. Maggette is a scorer, and will get to the free throw line quite a bit. Cuttino will have a breakout year, and along with Sam, they'll never be out of a game.</div> I posted this quote in the offseason. First game Cassell comes out and has a HUGE game. I'm telling you, the Clippers are going to have a wonderful season. Not only making the playoffs, but possibly winning a playoff series. Any team with Cassell & Cuttino in the post season is DANGEROUS. Expect Cuttino to have a career year too.
James Singleton could be the next Simmons? Also I'd like to cast a vote for Boniface NDong for the best name in the league. The Clippers always find these no name players every year. With Cassell, Mobley, and Brand carrying the scoring load, I'm curious to see how Maggette fits in when he comes back. I'm not sure if there are enough touches to go around. Clippers are for real though, they have a very well balanced roster. I thought their bench would be their achilles heal this year, but Singleton, Ewing, and Ross all played well. Plus McCarty will give them some quality production when he returns.
Singleton looked great last night. He's like a Chris Wilcox lite - athletic big man who hustles and gets the boards. However, we did play the Hawks.. who played worse than my high school team... which is saying alot. Anyways, Clippers undefeated so far baby!
No kidding about the Hawks, they looked terrible last night. They have no identity on the court and were scrambling all night long. Every player on the Hawks went one on one instead of executing plays and being organized on the court. Marvin Williams got a taste of life in the NBA after he went up for a dunk and got roofed by Chris Caveman.
Nice. And with the return of Shaun Livingston and Corey Magette, the Clippers will maybe be a true playoff contender. I am still puzzled why they got the Russian guy from the draft when they could have gotten potential stars in Danny Granger and Hakim Warrick or even Gerald Greene. I wonder if he would have gotten drafted if the Clippers hadn't drafted him. Anyway, Boniface N'Dong is pretty much a funny name.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice. And with the return of Shaun Livingston and Corey Magette, the Clippers will maybe be a true playoff contender. I am still puzzled why they got the Russian guy from the draft when they could have gotten potential stars in Danny Granger and Hakim Warrick or even Gerald Greene. I wonder if he would have gotten drafted if the Clippers hadn't drafted him. Anyway, Boniface N'Dong is pretty much a funny name.</div> Don't worry about it, Korolev is a potential star himself. About Singleton, he continued with the good play. He didn't get as much PT against the TWolves, but s'all good. I really like his play, if Wilcox could play that kind of agressive hustle style, he's actually get PT. Anyways, 3-0 now, let the good times roll, and Maggette and Livingston aren't even playing. I love the team in crunch time now. Teams just don't crowd the lane on Brand as Cassell and Mobley will cash the jumper in. I loved when Cassell got all up in KG's face yesterday, and KG hugged him lol, and his flip shot game winning attempt.
Korolev looked nervous as hell last night heh. Btw, when was the last time we started the season 3-0??
When Magete comes back I think you will see the true identity of this team..right now they have Cassell and Mobley trying to carry them for 4 quarters..since Brand mostly scores off offensvie board etc. I dont think they can beat the really good teams like that...they are going to need the penetration that Maggette provides as a first option. Cassell and Mobley will then move into 2nd or 3rd options and be the 3rd and 4th scores behind CM and Brand..and they can play off of Maggette's ablity to get to the hoop. So in my opinion this Clipper team is going to get alot better..as they become the type of team you will see over the course of 82. Also nobody is talking about Daniel Ewing...he has been a very underatted contributor to the Clippers early season success. He put a move on Anthony Carter and the twolves defense last night that had me bugging. I like his game..I hope he still has a role once Livingston comes back Singleton reminds me of a better Jerome Williams cause he can make the 15 footer. But he is a animal on the offsensive glass...anything that hangs on the rim on the offsensive end..he ends up putting on opposing bigs heads. I think the true test will be can these guys(Ewing, Singleton, Ross, Wilcox, Rebracca) carry it over a 82 game season..If they can with a healthy Mobley, Cassell, Brand, Magette as your go to guys..Its hard to imagine this team not in the top 8 in the West, just my opinion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Korolev looked nervous as hell last night heh. Btw, when was the last time we started the season 3-0??</div> 20 years ago, something like that... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also nobody is talking about Daniel Ewing...he has been a very underatted contributor to the Clippers early season success. He put a move on Anthony Carter and the twolves defense last night that had me bugging. I like his game..I hope he still has a role once Livingston comes back Singleton reminds me of a better Jerome Williams cause he can make the 15 footer. But he is a animal on the offsensive glass...anything that hangs on the rim on the offsensive end..he ends up putting on opposing bigs heads. I think the true test will be can these guys(Ewing, Singleton, Ross, Wilcox, Rebracca) carry it over a 82 game season..If they can with a healthy Mobley, Cassell, Brand, Magette as your go to guys..Its hard to imagine this team not in the top 8 in the West, just my opinion.</div> I agree about Ewing, I really like what he brings to the team. He's a good defender, can hit the outside shot, and shoot in general, and I'm also surprised by his ability to set up the offense, he reminds me of Mike James, but more athletic. Also I was actually saying the same thing to someone else about his PT, that I hope MD can still find minutes for him when Shaun returns. About Singleton, Jerome Williams is a nice comparison. Singleton has pretty good range up to about 20 feet, and he can shoot quite well. He seems more athletic than JYD, but young JYD was a good athlete, so I dunno. I really like what he brings, the team has needed a long SF for a while, and he brings that. He also doesn't force any shots or anything, he just takes what comes to him.
The Singleton and JYD comparison is accurate, but I think Singleton is a better passer than JYD was. He had a couple of no look passes in the Hawks game. I wonder how much burn he gets when Maggette comes back. Maggette should be back sometime this week. Also the Clippers have yet to play with Waltah. Daniel Ewing sure doesn't look like a rookie. He's very fluid and makes the right decision with the basketball 70% of the time. With Cassell and Livingston, the Clippers have some great depth at PG this year. Another player who I've been impressed with is Zelko Rebraca. He's a nice weapon in the post for the Clippers.
5-1 record after tonight. One of the best records in the NBA so far!! Ok, I hope I didn't jinx them....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup, Singleton's minutes have dissapeared though, I'm not sure why he isn't playing.</div> Singleton matchs up best at the 3 spot..so the return of Maggette takes away his minutes...Ross is playing well, so there is no need to go three deep at one position...going to deep tends to keep certain guys from building consistency cause they dont know what their roles or playing time will look like...the Clippers have young parts so Mike D..probably wants to keep that 2nd unit rotation short and simple..so those guys in the 2nd unit can get comfortable and establish a role.
