The Clippers are tied for 13th in the West at 6-18, but this season hasn’t been the complete disaster that the record would suggest, writes Janis Carr of The Orange County Register (subscription required). L.A. has been competitive in numerous games before seeing them slip away at the end, including its last two losses at Memphis and Minnesota. The Clippers are only three games away from a play-in spot, and coach Tyronn Lue believes a turnaround is coming.
“We’ve really played some good basketball and had a chance to win those games,” he said. “So, when you look at it and you’re not able to close the game and finish the game, that’s the only thing that’s kind of frustrating. … I mean, we definitely can turn it around. One big shot, one big rebound, one less turnover, things like that. And when you’re able to do that, that’s when you can start winning games.”
Injuries have played a role in the disappointing start, as Bradley Beal was lost for the season after appearing in just six games, Kawhi Leonard has been limited to 14 outings and Derrick Jones Jr. has been sidelined since mid-November with an MCL sprain. Nicolas Batum said the team needs to find a way to overcome that adversity.
“It’s not an excuse, but it is a challenge every day to come with a different lineup,” he said. “When you start losing one, two, three, four, five games, you think about that also. We right now just need to focus on what we have. We have more than enough to beat teams and to be winning games.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- There was hope that Devin Booker might be able to return from a groin injury in time for tonight’s NBA Cup contest at Oklahoma City, but the Suns downgraded him to out shortly before game time, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “He’s continuing to make progress,” coach Jordan Ott said (Twitter video link from Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic). “We checked in with him after his work there in shootaround. He’s making great progress. We just need a couple of days. We’ll be smart with this thing. It’s a long season.”
- The Lakers won’t be using their NBA Cup court when they host the Spurs tonight, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. There were complaints that the surface was too slippery after it was unveiled for a November 25 game, and the Lakers opted for their normal court when they hosted Dallas in another NBA Cup contest three nights later. “That was bad,” Rui Hachimura said after playing on the court, per Dan Woike and Sam Jane of the Athletic. “I felt it right away when I was warming up. It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery. Everybody was on the floor, literally. Every second.”
- Warriors big man Quinten Post said last season’s playoff series against Houston showed him that he needed to get stronger so he could handle the NBA’s physical style of play, per Spencer Davies of RG. Post didn’t make his NBA debut until after Christmas last season, but now he’s an important part of Golden State’s rotation. “At first, your body has to get used to all the work that you put in, and you’re sore because we spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer,” Post said. “But now that the season has started, I definitely feel different just in being able to hold my ground and going up without fouling.”
- The Kings have ruled Zach LaVine out for Thursday’s game against Denver due to soreness in his right thumb, relays Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Dennis Schröder is doubtful with a strained right hip flexor.
I find it so inexplicable and amateurish. To have your best player. Face of the franchise. Highest paid player. Playing out of position. Like moving MJ to PF. Making Scottie a Wing. Or Steph a PG.
SG is who Booker is. He is the best of his generation at it. And these fools are moving him all over. So Beal and Green can start at SG. KD has already shown you it doesn’t work. Gillespie a backup PG is showing you how it should be. Stop the insanity and trade Green. Find yourself a real PG. Have you forgotten how it was with CP3 running point. Trade Green and look out for your franchise player Booker.
Post has made a big step on defense. He has been their best young player on the team this year.
Can’t play basketball “soreness in his right thumb”—trade him to the WNBA.
If he plays with a bad thumb, that means he won’t be able to shoot as well, so his scoring average will go down.
Personally, he can’t have that on his résumé. It will hurt his individual value.
It’s way before the All-Star break and teams are clearly tanking already. Sign of the time that’s for sure.
Even some teams in tank mode before the season starts is almost normal now.
“Warriors big man Quinten Post said the playoff series against Houston showed him that he needed to get stronger so he could handle the NBA’s physical style of play, per Grant Afseth of RG. Post”
This is a 25 yr old, 7 footer who weighs 240lbs.
All you Warriors fans who constantly defend Kerr and his small ball. Listen to a guy who actually has to live it. Having a real big helps everyone on the team. It means they don’t have to do the work Post is talking about ………. Why is this so foreign to you.
Every team in NBA should carry bigs on a 15 man roster. It’s not Rocket Science !!!!
This is the Big Warriors passed on in the draft. Cause obviously they don’t need one …….
Maxime Raynaud — 17 mins, 8.1 pts, 4.4 reb,
.82% FT, .53% FG ……. a 22 yr old rookie. Who started playing basketball late in life. 7’ 1” and 250 lbs
link to basketball-reference.com
Knocking down 39% 3pt = poor mans Al Horford. With time, he could grow into a 15/5 player. I like his upside.. only if Kerr doesn’t foul it up.
Quinten Post, a real Golden State Warriors draft pick in the second round, is “developing” into a very good NBA player?
According to some, that’s absolutely impossible. No way.
How can that be when “the Warriors don’t develop players?”
Quinten Post realized..,
“that HE needed to get stronger so HE could handle the NBA’s physical style of play…”
Hmm, interesting.
I don’t believe this quote from Quinten Post. It can’t be true because it’s the responsibility of the “development staff” to make sure you become a better basketball player !!
“Your body has to get used to all the,
“WORK THAT YOU PUT IN,
“and you’re sore because we spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer..”
Gary —
Once again you fail to see the wisdom in your own player. He’s telling you how physical it is to play big. What do you think small ball players put up with during season lol. This is why they have bigs in the NBA. So your elite and perimeter players don’t have to get all beat up during year. That’s how a rim protector helps. Thats how true bigs help. Even if its 20-22 mins a game.