I'm excited that we won last night and that we now have a very good chance to win this series, but I'm also aware that Lillard played like crap last night. His shot selection was horrible, his passing was horrible, and he looked only barely involved out there (to say nothing of his non-existent defense). We're very fortunate that CJ, Plumlee, and others stepped up, because Lillard almost lost this game for us his by himself. What's going on? Is it the relentless defense that has thrown Lillard off his game? I hope the real Lillard shows up soon.
Credit where credit is due: Chris Paul is a pretty darned good defender by himself, combine that with the well-planned and very-well-executed team defense and it leaves Dame with a tough row to hoe.
He's getting hounded. Not getting any good looks. He's passing out of the traps, but needs to do that more. No need for a few of those shots he threw up last night.
Even though you claim he played terrible, he is the reason we are winning. He attracts so much attention from clippers defense, everybody else are getting looks they wouldn't get with him off the floor. Nothing invisible about that.
This is getting ridiculous. Lillard plays well, nobody says shit. Lillard plays poorly and people call him out. The Clippers have literally made the call that they're going to let anyone else beat them except Dame and CJ. They are giving the rest of the team wide open shots because they don't want Dame to beat them. Aminu is getting wide open shots. Plumlee is being allowed to just stand at the foul line and find the open man while the Clips double and trap Lillard. Yes, Dame took a few bad shots, but right now our offense is running through Plumlee because that's what the Clippers are giving us. There is a reason why Plums is getting so many dimes. The Clippers are gifting us free points right now. We should be thanking them, and Dame could be forcing things a lot more. He's allowing other players to shine.
If Dame doesn't take shots at all, they will say he's not trying hard enough to get open, or whatever. Dame had his WORST night, and the team still won. Why can't we just celebrate that? Dame will be fine. You guys act like he's some fragile person that has no BBIQ or leadership skills... Dame is a huge reason we're in the playoffs... stop bagging on him.
This x 1,000,000. The reason Plumlee, C.J. and Chief are stepping up is because all the effort the Clippers have put into stopping Dame. The Clippers have been purposely leaving Aminu wide open and daring him to shoot. It was working like a charm until last night. The reason we've been getting so many easy baskets and outscoring Lob City on points in the paint is because every time Plumlee gets the ball in the high post, we have a 3 on 2 situation with Aminu in the corner and Harkless cutting to the basket. That's all because of the defensive attention Lillard is commanding. Dame invisible? Fuck no. Based on the Clippers focus on him I'd say he is the most visible player on the court. They aren't letting him out of their sight for one second. BNM
I think he's playing smart too. Sure, he's taking a couple bad shots here and there, but he only took 15 shots. That's not that many for a star player. He's playing within the system. He's giving it up to Plumlee. He's not forcing things as much as he could. The Clips are sticking with this strategy of making Dame give it up, and it has bit them in the butt the last two games. Chief torched them last night. I'm sure they're going to change things up because it's not working anymore.
I just find it funny people need to find scapegoats in WINS. Dame is fine. He didn't take 33 shots and only make 7...
Terry Stotts man..... he took what LAC is doing and adjusted. His adjustments are paying off big time.
1. CP3 is the best defender in the league. 2. They are making our other players beat them. And they are.
And the refs let CP3 murder you on defense. Did you see the play where Paul broke his hand? He was slapping the shit out of Hendo's forearm with his left hand when he broke his right hand. No foul. The Clips have been hand checking and slapping and holding and grabbing all series.
Way to put it. These were my thoughts almost exactly. Also, as a note, Dame only took 15 shots last night. He didn't try to pull Westbrook and go 6 for 26 or something. He trusted his teammates. That's what I love about this assembly of players:they work together as one unit.
I don't agree at all. Lillard played a very good game the way i see it. I guess i just see different things. His passing led to other players playing well. His defense was very solid. His decision making was contagious. The team is growing and playing tougher than it has in years. Sorry. But i do not see a player...I see a leader here.
