(04-14-2024, 12:53 PM)Knutsen Wrote: Definitely. I posted it in another thread - they have 5 attacking players on the 1-3 positions with Harden, Leonard, George, Westbrook and Powell, which will make it very tough to hide or at least protect Kyrie and Luka as our worst individual defenders. They will try to at least tire them out during the games, score on them and maybe get them into foul trouble. No other team has that ability in my opinion, not even the Celtics.

(04-14-2024, 05:38 PM)HoosierDaddyKidd Wrote: I don't know how you can make that statement. Boston beat them 119-100 at Dal and 138-110 in Bos.

(04-14-2024, 05:52 PM)Knutsen Wrote: Don’t get me wrong, the Clippers aren’t the best team in the league and I‘m quite sure they won‘t win the championship. But they present the worst match for our biggest weakness on defense, which is the individual defense of Luka and Kyrie. Even if they both hold their own it will make them less effective in the 4th quarter when they have to defend an attacking player every minute they are on the court. And that‘s where my comparison with the Celtics was pointing at, not overall team strength, but number of players able to attack of the bounce on the guard and small forward positions. 

I do hope that Luka forces them to play Mann for extended minutes, because he isn’t that strong at attacking of the bounce like the other 5 guys I mentioned and would allow Luka to rest on D. And I wouldn’t be to sad if Leonard’s knee is less than a hundred percent to be honest. 

I still think we will be able to get through in 6 or 7 games, but it will be a hard fought series because of these individual match-ups.

(04-14-2024, 10:04 PM)Jason Terry Wrote: I think our regular lineup will have long stretches of dominating the Clippers. But when they punch back and get some momentum in the series……

Maxi guards Kawhi
PJ guards PG13
DJJ guards Harden
Kyrie guards Powell
Luka guards Mann

We’ll see some important minutes that look like that

(04-15-2024, 10:22 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: This playoff series is going to be fascinating between Dallas and LAC.  One team will leave very disappointed.  A healthy Clipper team may be better than any of their other teams.  They had a stretch where they looked like a top 3 team in the league.  Can they get back to that level again?

I really like coach Lue and think he has the advantage over Kidd.  I think Lue will make more adjustments in the series.  Lets see if they work and if Kidd can also adjust when needed. 

Looking at the rosters the last time this team played each other in the playoffs, I feel like the Clippers are smaller.  They have 3 centers now (can't play together), but are missing Morris and Batum.  They players they added are probably better but a little smaller.  Both Morris and Batum were bigger bodies to throw at Luka and try to wear him down.   

On the other side, Dallas is much bigger.  Dallas had no rim protection (minus Maxi).  While they had Maxi and DFS to try to guard Leonard, Leonard just destroyed Kleber.  Kleber played good defense but Leonard seemed to score every time against him (at least it appeared that way).  Now Dallas has DJJ and PJ to throw at Leonard.  Plus, they have bigger centers who will make it harder to score at the rim.  There are negatives to this as well, but I really like what the bigger bodies have brought. 

Lastly, I am pretty confident Luka, Kyrie and a healthy Leonard will show up big.  The key to the series is probably the other guys.  Who steps up or who shrinks may determine who gets out of round 1.

(04-15-2024, 10:35 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: BTW, I have been traveling.  Really tough news for Lively. I feel for him.  I know he wished for his Mom to be around for 30-40 years longer.  I guess when Lively missed a game a few weeks ago that this was coming.    I actually didn't know she was sick again.  I wonder if she was always sick but they kept it private.  Or if her cancer came back and came back with a vengeance recently?

While losing his mom will never stop hurting, the last year he had with him mom was magical.    He also lived with his mom.  She got to see her son reach a life long dream and see really great early success while also being mature well beyond his years.  I imagine seeing him in the NBA after dreaming about it together for years was really special to her.  I am sure it eased her mind to see Dereck in a good spot and see how he has adapted to being an NBA player so quickly.  I am sure she wanted to see 15 years of him playing, but is probably at peace knowing she did a great job.  RIP.

(04-15-2024, 12:21 PM)michaeltex Wrote: Tough news about Lively's mom. I lost mine when I was in my 60s and it hurt, so losing his mom while he's just 20 has got to leave a big hole.

Regarding the Clips...

Do we just automatically dump our (very successful) starting lineup and immediately try to match up? Is it possible we make them react to what we do well instead? DAL rotation has worked well against big and small, young and old, green and experienced, teams. Doesn't the coaching staff need to see how it plays out before doing something that messes with the developing chemistry? Reacting too early feels like some of the Avery Johnson coaching moves.

(04-15-2024, 07:52 AM)RGP1981 Wrote: Don't you all find it annoying when the talking heads talk about Jokic having the advantage in the MVP race because of the "advanced stats" that show he's more efficient... but completely ignore that Centers will always have an edge when it comes to efficiency and these stats because of the nature of their position on court and playing closer to the basket?

I feel they should at least acknowledge this advantage, when comparing the efficiency of a Center to a Guard/Forward.

It's not like Luka is far behind in those advanced numbers either, despite having a much lesser team for half the season and despite playing in a position that is less efficient by its very nature.

BPM: Jokic 1st, Luka 2nd.
VORP: Jokic 1st, Luka 2nd.
PER: Jokic 1st, Luka 4th.
WS/48: Jokic 1st, Luka 5th.

PPG: Luka 1st (33.9), Jokic 9th (26.4)

This feels like a repeat of 2005-06, when Kobe was the best and most valuable player in the league, and was dumping all over every team (81 points, outscored the Mavs by himself over 3 quarters, 56 games of 30+ PPG, etc)... but they gave it to Nash.

(04-15-2024, 12:21 PM)michaeltex Wrote: Regarding the Clips...

Do we just automatically dump our (very successful) starting lineup and immediately try to match up? Is it possible we make them react to what we do well instead? DAL rotation has worked well against big and small, young and old, green and experienced, teams. Doesn't the coaching staff need to see how it plays out before doing something that messes with the developing chemistry? Reacting too early feels like some of the Avery Johnson coaching moves.

(04-15-2024, 02:12 PM)Knutsen Wrote: I read a stat that the Clippers are 23-4 this season when Harden dishes 10 or more assists. Suggests he is the clear cut head of the snake and the key to their offense?

(04-15-2024, 12:52 PM)fifteenth Wrote: Do you think that Jokic positions himself on the floor like a center?