Game Thread PLAYOFFS - ROUND 1, GAME 6: CLIPPERS @ BLAZERS - 4/29/16, FRIDAY, 7:30 (PDT), KGW & ESPN

Yep. That and Paul broke his hand making an illegal play. And while it wasn't a related injury, Griffin punched the fucking equipment manager in public and injured his hand in the process. Killed the amount of time he had to ease into playoff mode. They're both Grade A jerks and karma bit them both in the ass.

 

Yes, this is exactly my point. The Clippers knew, when they recruited Chris Paul, that he was the type of player that likes to swipe at balls. They knew that this style of play could lead to steals/turnovers, but there was a risk involved in his aggressiveness. The Clippers brass decided that the risk was worth the reward ( as anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together would).

The Clippers also conducted a psych evaluation of Griffin when they drafted him (as every team does with every player). They knew what his personality was/is. They judged that the reward was greater than the risk, in regards to his talent versus his (off court) personality.

Every factor; every decision made; makes a difference in the fortunes of a sporting organization.

 

I can't sleep, still pretty jazzed

 

ESPN had you guys muted hard. Shit pissed me off. I would have rather heard the crowd than those 2 idiots get excited when clippers got close.

 

Respect, yes. But why did the refs let him on the court with blood running down his face like that? Usually they freak out if you have a drop of blood on your jersey?

 

There is just no way to explain it any better than what we are seeing right now. Tanking for a draft pick is just not the way to go. Yes it worked for the Spurs and Duncan while they had Robinson, but there are just so many examples of it not working.

 

Rivers/Crawford/Green are bench players. Perhaps they would win more games in a regular season than the 76ers, but no one would expect that crew to contend in the playoffs. And it's not like they played particularly well.

Jamal Crawford shot 19% from 3 this series, Austin Rivers shot 23%, JJ Redick, who reportedly had an injured heel, shot 35% (down from the 47% he shot this season). I know DeAndre Jordan was great, but why couldn't the Blazers, at full strength pull alway from that group? They played us even for the most part.

I'm just saying, if you face an opponent full strength, then you take away 2 out of their top 3 players, and barely beat them, you show that you had no chance against them at full strength.

If i were a Clipper fan, and the team barely beat the Blazers in a series without Damian and CJ I wouldn't gloat over that.

 

I didn't realize Paul and Griffin got injured in game two.

 

God I hate when they do that. It takes away the whole atmosphere of the game. Some networks do it and others don't. It surprises me that ESPN can be so ignorant about it.
The telecast last night was absolutely horrible.

 

WTF are you talking about? I never said they got injured in game 2.

 

This is where you went wrong. One should never be surprised about the ignorance of ESPN.

 

Anybody notice that on the hype video they play before the player introductions there is no mentions of LaMarcus Aldridge? There were posters of the past playoff matchups with Houston in 2008 and Phoenix the next year. They listed guys like Dante Cunningham but not LMA? Must be some hard feelings still within the organization.

EDIT Found it: http://www.nba.com/blazers/video/teams/blazers/2016/04/25/intros

 

No sign of Aldridge.

 

He doesn't deserve to be acknowledged.

 

While it's obvious, it's still mind-blowing a bit:

The top 4 teams in the West are the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, and Blazers. Good company for sure.

 

Idk you acted like we didn't beat them at full strenght twice