April 29, 2006
JOE STEVENS: ``In the barn,'' ``off the hook,'' ``short!''
Heard a comment under the breath of a Clipper executive in Denver on Saturday night, and it was this: ``Too good to be true.''
For sooooo long, Clipper fans (and their executives) have hoped for some sort of success, any type of success that isn't just part of rebuilding. The most wins in Clipper history -- that's success. Winning a playoff series -- that's success again.
The Clippers are ``in the barn,'' and this ain't euchre. With the way the Denver Nuggets are playing, I don't know how the Nuggets are going to win Game 5 in L.A. But crazy things happen, and we might be in store for one of the craziest things L.A. pro basketball has ever seen -- a Clipper/Laker playoff series. Got one phrase to describe what that could be -- ``Off the hook.''
In other news, I realize that not many people in blog world may be interested to hear about the shooting feats of a mysterious man named the X-Man. But in his day and maybe even now, Dunleavy, Radmanovic, whomever -- they couldn't hang with the X-Man. ``Short!'' Yes, the X-Man yelled ``Short!'' after practically every shot. But they went in. He's still good. He needs an agent.
Posted by Joe Stevens at 11:27 PM | Comments (3)
Ross Siler: Getting ready for the Hallway Series
I'm sure the Clippers will lose tonight in Denver after writing this, but the city could be set for its first cross-town NBA playoff series by the end of next week.
The storylines would be incredible, starting with Kobe Bryant against the team he spurned two summers ago and Lamar Odom against the team that drafted him and let him leave for Miami citing issues of character and other risks.
I won't venture a prediction until it happens but the Lakers' strategy of pounding the ball inside against the Suns wouldn't translate at all against a Clippers team with Chris Kaman and Elton Brand.
The teams split the regular season series - - with Bryant averaging 40.8 points a game - - and never have met in the playoffs before. They have made the playoffs together only four times since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles.
Just one question: How many Lakers fans have bought Clipper tickets for the second round banking on the matchup? Would the Clippers find themselves playing seven road games in effect at Staples Center.
* * *
I thought I'd include some of the funnier moments from Friday's game given that the Lakers and Suns looked like they would come to blows a couple of times on the court.
I never had seen a sequence like the one involving Brian Cook in the second quarter. He was blocked at the rim by James Jones and lost his shoe after landing. But Cook simply flipped the shoe to the sideline and ran back down court only to commit a foul and stop play.
We also got a laugh on press row as Sasha Vujacic got three steps into racing the ball up court only to realize that wasn't part of the game plan and stop dead in his tracks. It's easy to get caught up in what the Suns want to do.
And Kwame Brown had a priceless look on his face after blocking Nash on a drive in the quarter, as if it was almost accidental. There was no similar look when Brown made that left-handed block on Boris Diaw and stared at him on the floor.
Best quote on Saturday came from Brown, who was asked about hearing the crowd chant his name in the second half. He shot one free throw thinking they were cheering for Kobe before realizing it was for him.
Said Brown: ``It’s a step up from being booed.’’
Posted by Ross Siler at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2006
JOE STEVENS: Whistle mania, Mimi and the X-Man
One thing I believe about sports journalism is that a writer should hardly ever focus on officiating. Winners and losers alike always have a beef with calls, and in theory, the calls even themselves out in the long run.
In Game 3, though, there were just too many to not focus upon. Sixty-eight fouls in a 48-minute game. That game was brutal to watch. If I were a casual fan, I'd flip from TNT and try to find Celebrity Poker. You never know what that Mimi Rogers is thinking.
Without them flat-out saying it, the Clippers believe they are better than the Nuggets. I think they're right, so the big question is if they have enough poise to actually beat them. Game 4 will be key and a chance for the Clips to re-assert their authority.
Another thing I believe about sports journalism is that making predictions is fruitless. Yeah, maybe the Clips will take control in Game 4, or who knows? Maybe they're still too inexperienced to do that....
In other news, my dream of playing Dunleavy in one-on-one, hunting down a Web cam and creating the Web site, www.joebattlesdunleavy.com, will not come true. The coach says his left knee prevents him from playing, and there will be no battle.
However, the coach said he would play me in H-O-R-S-E. Shooting happens to be my speciality, but Dunleavy once led the NBA in 3-point shooting. I have no chance. I know this guy back East simply known as ``The X-Man'' who could give him a run for his money. The X-Man is psychologically one of the best shooters in the history of the game. With every shot, he yells, ``Short!'' And all of the shots undoubtedly fall.
Posted by Joe Stevens at 10:49 AM | Comments (18)
April 25, 2006
JOE STEVENS: Corey clarifications and, yowsers, an insurmountable lead
Before I delve into the "We are the Champions'' type of feelings that Clipper fans must have with their heroes up an insurmountable 2-0 lead over Denver, I must clarify a couple stories I've written about Corey Maggette.
To say that Corey's playing time is not an issue with the team is inaccurate. The guy was the leading scorer last year, and he's played 14 and 17 minutes in the first two playoff games for a total of 31 minutes. He averaged 36 minutes per game in the previous two seasons.
I wrote a couple stories pointing out his diminished time, and those were not prompted by comments by him. They were prompted by merely noticing the diminished time. A few readers felt the stories questioned his character, and that was not their point. He is sincere about wanting to do everything he can to help team chemistry, and the first story on the subject caused a lot of stress to him. But one cliche says that winning heals all wounds, so, well, the Corey issues aren't quite the biggest issues in Clipperland nowadays.
The biggest issue is, voila, the team is up 2-0 and is on its way to winning the first playoff series in Clipper history. I jest, of course, when I say this lead is insurmountable. But if they can shut down Carmelo Anthony again, like they did in the first half in Game 2, maybe it could be.
OK, in my last entry, I tried to ask readers who they thought was most instrumental to the Clippers' turnaround. One response, from someone named Slav, gave that honor to Elton Brand. One response? The low turn-out saddened me. The drops on this blog are my tears.
Let me use this entry as more of a Clipper enthusiast's public service. If there were any questions you'd want to ask any of the Clippers, what would they be? If they are interesting enough, I just may use them and come back with responses for y'all.
Posted by Joe Stevens at 12:48 AM | Comments (7)
April 23, 2006
Ross Siler: What a strange, strange game
Just got back from the arena here in Phoenix and I'm still thinking about the game this afternoon. I'm left wondering whether the Lakers should be as encouraged by it as their comments suggested or if they should be frustrated by losing a very winnable game.
They had the right idea slowing the game and feeding the ball inside. It seemed like things started falling into place in the third quarter, with Lamar getting doubled in the post and starting to find open shooters.
But there's no way Kobe should have taken only 10 shots heading into the fourth quarter. I can't believe the Lakers lost a game in which Raja Bell - - the primary defender when it comes to stopping Kobe - -played 10:21 in the second half because of foul trouble.
There were three places in that game where I had a strange feeling about what was happening. The first was at the start of the second quarter when the Lakers were down 10 and Kobe was doing anything but taking over. That's what he does.
The second was at the end of the third quarter when Brian Cook hit one open jumper but couldn't knock down two others as Kobe gave up the ball in the face of a double-team. Those are shots that he hits probably between 60 or 70 percent of the time.
The third was in the fourth quarter when Kobe went up for two shots and missed them both. One was a turnaround jumper after posting up Leandro Barbosa. The other was a 19-footer after he crossed over Barbosa and pulled up. Those are his patented shots and he missed them both.
Then again, it was Smush's playoff debut and Sasha's debut. It was the first time (I think) Kwame or Luke ever had started in a playoff game. There was a lot of experienced gained out there.
Posted by Ross Siler at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)
JOE STEVENS: Are Clipper fans in heaven?
Clipper fans might have to pinch themselves, wondering if this truly has happened. Yes, it is reality. The Clippers have won a playoff game for the first time in 13 years. Yowsers, that's a long time to go. What were you doing in 1993?
Well, here's my question, blog reader. Who deserves the most credit for the Clippers turnaround?
I invite responses. Actually, I YEARN RESPONSES. Even if you just type in one name, please do. Make a stand. Don't say it's a combination of things. Who deserves the most credit - Elton Brand, Sam Cassell, Mike Dunleavy, Elgin Baylor, The Donald himself or somebody entirely different? Tell me what you think, Clipper Nation.
Posted by Joe Stevens at 12:36 AM | Comments (2)
April 22, 2006
Ross Siler: Twelve hours to tipoff
Greetings from Phoenix, where Steve Dilbeck and I both flew in early this evening and had a great meal at Top of the Rock. So good that we were the last people left in the restaurant at the end of the night.
Between going to practice, writing and catching a plane, I will confess to not seeing any of Saturday's games. But I did catch the score of the Spurs/Kings game late in the fourth quarter - - I think it was 118 to nothing - - and thought Phil Jackson might have laughed.
This was what Phil had to say only hours earlier about facing the Phoenix Suns in the first round:
``Some of the staff members that I have were actually saying maybe it’s better to play San Antonio,'' Jackson said, ``because it’s a conventional team and we’ve had some successes against San Antonio in the past.''
But Jackson wanted the Lakers to win out a stretch of home games to finish the regular season, which brought them the seventh seed and a series with the Suns. He must have been happy not to see the Spurs, at least with how things worked out Saturday.
* * *
The Lakers' best chance to win a title this season (at least for one player) might have come in Saturday night's NBA Development League championship game. But the Fort Worth Flyers - - with rookie guard Von Wafer on the roster - - lost 119-108 to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
There were several Thunderbirds with connections to the Lakers, starting with coach Michael Cooper. He now has won titles as an NBA player, WNBA coach and D-League coach. Former Lakers guard Tierre Brown finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. And Lakers draft pick Marcus Douthit had 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Douthit was a second-round pick out of Providence in 2004 whose rights the Lakers still control. He played overseas in Belgium last season and in the D-League this season. He is planning to play for the Lakers summer-league team again this July.
* * *
I'm picking the Suns in seven, though I am far from convinced after watching them finish the season playing .500 ball. They are nowhere close to the team with Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson that advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season.
But the Suns still can put up 70 points in a half or hit 20 3-pointers in a game. They can extend a lead to double digits in a matter of minutes.
Lamar Odom was talking at practice Saturday about how the Suns are so good, they practically lure you into taking the shots they want to see.
He said they will be happy to leave a mismatch on the floor if it means that a team will throw the ball inside and watch as the Suns' defense collapse. The team then kicks the ball back out for an open 3-pointer, which gives Phoenix a license to run.
Hope you enjoy the game on Sunday.
Posted by Ross Siler at 11:41 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2006
Ross Siler: The Butler Did It
There's a nice story in Saturday's Washington Post about former Laker Caron Butler, who has found a home in DC and made a name for himself this season. The Wizards open the playoffs today against Cleveland.
I always liked Caron and thought the Lakers might have been best served holding onto him until the trade deadline. He also was as close to Kobe as any player in my two seasons on the beat. But I understood the Lakers' reasons for taking a chance on Kwame Brown.
I'll take credit for putting Caron in my top three for Most Improved Player. What can you say about the Wizards being 33-21 with Caron as a starter?
Posted by Ross Siler at 11:34 PM | Comments (0)
Joe Stevens: The playoffs are new for everybody in Clipperland
This is my fifth year covering the Clippers, and so Saturday will be the first Clipper playoff game I've covered. I have written about the Lakers' run with Shaq and Kobe, but never about the Clippers in the postseason. These playoffs are new for everybody in Clipperland.
What I am most interested to see with the Clippers in the playoffs are two things 1) Do expectations matter? and 2) How much does experience count?
If we discover that those two things are the most important factors, the Clippers could be doomed. They haven't been to the playoffs in nine years and have never advanced in Clipper history. There can't be expectations for them to advance. And as far as postseason experience, Denver has much more.
My prediction on the series is "Clippers in six,'' but I actually believe one of two things will happen, and that pick was a compromise of that belief. I believe the Clippers could roll over Denver like they did in the regular season and win in five, or I believe this will be a dog-eat-dog, rock 'n' roll, rough-and-tumble series that goes seven games. If that happens, it will be a coinflip to see who wins.
The playoffs are new for Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Chris Kaman, Shaun Livingston, Q Ross and more. How will they respond?
Clipper playoffs are new to me. How will I respond? Check out the Daily News and Press-Telegram for that answer. Got a story on Mike Dunleavy in Saturday's papers. I yearn to accept his challenge, play him in one-on-one and take the spotted 18 points in a game to 20. Not sure he would accept that because, well, he is 52, and I am younger.
If that one-on-one challenge ever goes down, look out Internet, I'm hooking up a Web cam, and you could watch us battle at www.joebattlesdunleavy.com.
Posted by Joe Stevens at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
Ross Siler: Kobe/Raja, 3-pointers and the Great Debate
We'll jump right in and get the introductions out of the way sometime later in the first round.
Phil Jackson had an interesting insight today into the matchup between Kobe Bryant and Raja Bell in the series. Jackson is already on record as believing that Bell is one of the three or four best defenders in the NBA when it comes to playing Kobe.
The worry long has been that Bryant feels the need to prove himself to defenders like Bell. That can be disruptive when it leads to shots taken out of the offense. But Jackson said he has seen growth in that respect out of Bryant.
"The greatest thing over the years that Kobe has done that has made an adjustment,'' Jackson said, "is learn to respect his opponents and give them their due as competitors and warriors out there too on the floor."
Bryant still bristled at questions about Bell after both games in Phoenix this season. His words today: ``I think Raja plays hard all the time. Which is what I like. I enjoy players who play hard all the time. It's part of the game.'' . . .
The Lakers can ill afford to get caught up in trying to match the Suns 3-pointer for 3-pointer. They went 6 of 23, 7 of 23 and 9 of 24 in their three losses to the Suns. Then they stressed shot selection and went 5 of 16 in last Sunday's win. When they shoot the 3, the Lakers play right into the Suns' hands.
I asked Phil if there was a magic number he had in mind. His answer: ``We really can't project that. The Suns play a foot-in-the-paint-type defense. They're going to allow open shots and if the players are playing well and shooting well, they've got to have the opportunity to shoot 3s. If they're not, then they have to be able to penetrate and find that inside game.'' . . .
Check out Steve Dilbeck's column today in the Daily News. The Lakers have fought the perception ever since the Shaq trade was made that it was anything but one of the worst in sports history. Their argument is a lot more convincing this season than last. As one Lakers official said today to Steve, ``That was the best thing I've read in two years.''
Posted by Ross Siler at 06:54 PM | Comments (2)