The Clippers ranked 29th in pace during a catastrophic 6-21 start that almost ruined their season. Instead of speeding up, they’ve slowed down even more during their six-game winning streak, writes Law Murray of The Athletic, ranking dead last in pace but first in both offensive and defensive rating. They’ve also been number one in their rate of attempted free throws, while allowing the fewest three-pointers in the league.
Coach Tyronn Lue credits the turnaround to the players’ willingness to stay committed to the things that are necessary to succeed.
“Just having humility, continue to keep working hard, pay attention to detail, executing and then just being unselfish, sharing the basketball,” he said. “Allowing our other guys to make plays and be aggressive offensively. The ball’s going to find Kawhi (Leonard) and James (Harden); it’s going to get back to them eventually. And just those four things. I just give those guys credit for just coming in and continuing to work when our back was against the wall. So when you keep working hard, you keep coming to work every single day, you’ll get the results eventually. That’s what we’ve been able to do.”
Murray notes that a large part of the credit goes to Leonard, who has topped 40 points three times during the current streak after never doing it more than twice in a season. The return of Derrick Jones Jr. from an MCL sprain has solidified the point-of-attack defense alongside Kris Dunn, while John Collins is posting his best rebounding games of the season and Nicolas Batum has been winning his minutes by a wide margin.
“I just think everybody’s urgency just went up as a group,” Dunn said. “Understanding that it’s starting to get — not late into the season, but we’re getting into the thick of the season, and we want to just turn things around. … I just try to do what I do. I think everybody knows what I was brought here to do, and I just try and do it to the best of my ability.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- An MRI on Kings rookie center Maxime Raynaud showed no structural damage to his left leg, a source tells Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee (subscription required). Raynaud had to be helped off the court after a collision in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game.
- Kings guard Dennis Schröder said he never gets nervous around the trade deadline, even though he’s been dealt multiple times in his career (Twitter video link from Sean Cunningham of KCRA News). “I always give everything for whoever I’m playing for,” Schröder said. “I’m doing it for myself first, for my family and then of course for the organization who I play for.”
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn’t concerned about Quinten Post‘s three-point shooting, even though the second-year center has regressed from 40.8% last season to 33.3% now, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). “I think it’s all part of being a young player, gaining the confidence,” Kerr said. “… QP is in his second (season). The game has to slow down. You have to feel that sense of calm and confidence.”
The Clippers can certainly use another scorer to take some pressure off of Kawhi and Harden.
Derozan for Collins? Maybe Kings even add a 2nd to get off his contract a year earlier.
That’s actually a good trade idea
Good to hear about Raynaud.
Remets-toi vite Maxime …….
Kings should trade Schroder. Can probably get a young talent for him. Dillingham in Minnesota.
As much as I dislike the clippers and Kawhi to a point, it really goes to show how good of a player he can be when he actually wants. Obviously his body has let him down at times as has his trainers and maybe the medical staff etc but he has to take a bunch of that blame on himself too.
On his day he’s probably still a top 5 player, it’s just he only performs like that for maybe 5-20 games a season. I think on the right team he’d show up more especially if there was a chance of him winning a ring again.
He’s a 2 times champ, 2 times finals MVP and 2 times DPOY.
There’s only 1 other player in the history of the league to have 2-2-2 in these accomplishments, Kawhi and Hakeem.
It’s hard to see him leaving LA but at the same time I’d kinda love to see him paired up with an Anthony Edward’s, or a Cade Cunningham, maybe even a Jalen Brunson.
He needs a guard to be the lead, needs the supporting cast to cover him if he chooses to sit out but be the piece which can put them over the top and beat anyone.
Wonder if the Knicks would gamble and give up say Bridges and OG for Kawhi and DJJ.
Brunson Hart Kawhi DJJ KAT
McBride Clarkson Yabu Robinson
Vs
Dunn Harden Bridges OG Zu
Bogi Batum Collins Lopez
Defensively clippers would be tough, offensively it’s very Harden centric but Brudges does bits, OG Zu Bogi Collins it’d be tough
I can’t see the Knicks giving up both of those guys for Kawhi. A package built around Bridges, maybe, but not both of them.
When OG is injured, Knicks lose. Knicks know OG’s value.
“Let him down at times” is an understatement. If I’m already a decent contender there’s no way I gamble everything on the fate of someone like him, especially at his age. The talent isn’t the issue.
Yeah is a massive gamble to take 100% but he is that kinda player that pushes you over the top and could win you a ring
True, but I’d explore every single other conceivable avenue before pulling the trigger on something like that, and the Knicks don’t have to rush themselves into anything given their current books.
Please we don’t do injury prone players. Mitch is a pain in the ares. And his aren’t really major. Go to Sixers. Want nothing to do with any Clipper.
Bridges is known as a guy that never misses games. Don’t see them moving him for unpredictable Kawhi.
Only trade Knicks need is to fix their bench. Only big trade they do is if they use Mitch. And it won’t be major. Our core is set.
Actually, I don’t see Kawhi as even being interesting to the Knicks, but in any event, there is no way the Knicks would package Bridges and Anunoby for him.
Knicks was used more as an example of a team that is very close to being a real deal title threat, no to say they can’t do it as is but adding that third star could elevate them and Kawhi is that top tier player that would do that.
Could say the same for a couple other teams like the Cavs where he’d be awesome with Spida and Mobley or maybe the TWolves on a Randle, Dillingham and picks package and keep McDaniels and Gobert. Maybe even Detroit alongside Cade and Duren at the expense of maybe Thompson/Tobias.
Never trust these CLIPPERS.
Never trust Kawhi & Harden.
Post went 3-6 from 3 last night…great response by him…liking his game a lot tbh, he’s been improving a lot this season, all due to Jimmy taking him under his wing and making him better, exactly like he did with Bam the second he went to Miami, Bam started balling out and becoming the star he is now.
“… while allowing the fewest three-point attempts in the league…”
That’s misleading information! (or better wrong information)
If you have the slowest pace in the league than all the numbers drop by nature on both sides, including opp 3pta per game.
per 100 possessions the Clippers are one of the worst teams here,allowing 38 (Magic less than 32).
so always keepn in mind everybody to never present half baked cookies! Leave this to the politicians of this world… :/
It was inaccurate, but only because it should’ve said three-point makes rather than attempts (that’s been fixed).
It was a reference to stats accumulated during the Clippers’ six-game winning streak, not for the season. During that streak, they ranked first in fewest opponent three-pointers per game AND per 100 possessions.
“… I just don’t want anybody to think that we’re all delusional and thinking we should be competing for titles year in and year out with San Antonio and Oklahoma City the next few years. That’s not realistic.”
Kerr making sense for once. Warriors fans just don’t get it I guess. I can’t believe he feels this way. And doesn’t address the big man issue, a center. For yrs now.
link to yardbarker.com
Oh Skippy. He addressed this years ago. You just ignored it.
As for the big man, you still don’t understand. He is not the GM. He doesn’t want to be the GM. Big men cost money. You just can’t pull some 7-foot off the street. It didn’t work before; it won’t work now.
You are like Davey. Clueless on what is going on in the Warriors organization, but still have to comment on it.
Do you even realize how foolish you are. You contradict yourself all the time. Warriors haven’t addressed their center position since their third title. And you are clueless as to why. You’re so filled with contempt. You literally think this is about me. Doesn’t mean a big works. It says I made a good point. ONE🤫 Passing on Raynaud the best center in the draft so far. Only magnifies your inability to accept knowledge. If it wasn’t for me bringing him up. You wouldn’t even know who he is.
Why exactly do you even respond to me.