Game #21: LAC (10-10) @ JAZZ (7-14) FRI 12/8—7 PM, ESPN

[NickP]

Great win. Let's build on this momentum. I couldn't believe when I heard the last time we won there was in 2017.

[esqtvd]

Morris is such a (fill in your own words)

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That was a sideways smack at Kawhi, certainly. Who, let's be honest--does NOT bring it every night. If he did bring it like he did tonight--41 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asst, 6-8 from 3...we would always be contending for the #1 seed instead of the 4th.

But it's a new year and a new season. Kawhi has played every game so far. Let's clear the slate, even if Mook can't.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Kawhi played out of his mind tonight. He looks very good physically thus far.

Seems like Sexton and Olynyk always play great against the Clippers. Kept them in the game to an extent- especially Sexton

[donemilio21]

When was the last time a Clipper dropped 40 points? I feel like it was Lou Williams

[esqtvd]

Leonard can rest after this game. Get him back in there for a few minutes and put them away.

Here's the problem--Kawhi has already played 32 minutes and there are 9 minutes left. Zu has played 33 and PG has played 31.

ADD:

Zu played 42 minutes. Now, in fairness, Ty warned him BEFORE the game that he was going to have to go 40 tonight with Theis out.

But this was supposed to be a gimme with Markkanen out. Kawhi and PG had to play 38 minutes each. We are NOT out of the woods yet.

I do agree with Ty that this was a MUST-win trap game. Pedal to the metal. Drop this one and the wins over the Nuggets and Dubs mean nothing. Now we've won 4 of 5 and are on a roll!

[nickhx2]

didn't have a whole lot of concerns we'd drop the ball tonight and instead we got some stellar performances from a couple guys: the kind that makes you go, well, maybe they figured something out? and to me, that kind of in-season progression from a player is the kind of thing that makes you feel much more confident about future outcomes than any single win.

zubac looks really good right now. like legit rim protecting big who does other things. you just can't keep him off the floor very much. it's one thing to be a serviceable big that doesn't mess things up. but it's a much, much bigger thing to be a guy whose strengths are pretty darn good, esp WRT to d'ing up in the post. i think the game against jokic has given him some extra confidence and you take that because when it comes to personal development, wins like those are what can spur a person to seek even higher levels of their own growth.

and then there's kawhi. he didn't just look "back." he looked formidable. like, the version we have been nervous about in that we weren't sure that exists anymore. like the version that this team signed to be the best player in the playoffs at any given time.

the team winning some games is good. but the team figuring things out and getting their best players into the shape they need to be in, is a far better result for us.

[esqtvd]

Although Clippers already got a win vs. Nuggets this week, it's still not a certainty they can take them on a full playoff series. And with their entire franchise on the line with all their superstars free agents next season, Clippers could lose them all and enter the Intuit Dome next season empty handed.

But there may be hope. Perhaps someone else in the west can help take down the Nuggets for the Clippers, and that someone might be the Rockets thanks to winning the season series 3-1. A trip to an NBA Finals may require Clippers playing possum, so even though they're playoff bound, don't be surprised to see them lose choice games in such a way that the Nugget's road to a repeat begins with a kryptonite.

...or is this an idea so outlandish, it'll never happen? But that's the beauty of this league, anything is possible.

Oh, I think you had it right from the first, Ms. Giveaway. If you read this board besides your own comments, we've been talking about all this. This is YEAR FIVE of Kawhi/PG ALL-IN. Kawhi, PG, and Harden can all leave scot-free at the end of the year.

And with their entire franchise on the line with all their superstars free agents next season, Clippers could lose them all and enter the Intuit Dome next season empty handed.

With the Harden trade, and surrendering

2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap

this is far as Ballmer can possibly go. He is 67 now and he will be 73 by the time he controls his draft future again.

I hope we're all on the same page now, Whitney. Things are much more desperate than they look in Ballmer Nation. If this fustercluck doesn't come together by the trading deadline, Ballmer has no choice but a fire sale.

[Dynamix]

[madmaxmedia]

Need to step on their throat. Kawhi, PG getting a little sloppy before the timeout. This team needs a killer instinct which I'm not sure PG has.

That's a very good point. But he DID get us to the Conference Finals without Kawhi. I think he's making adjustments to adding Beard too. Hell, they barely started getting adjusted to Russ and now this.

It took this post for me to realize we’ve only had Russell Westbrook for half a season…

Hope we can go 4-1 or 3-2 at worst the next 5.

[esqtvd]

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[Captain Ballmer]

It's all good when everyone is healthy.

[esqtvd]

If and when Mann starts hitting his 3s, watch tf OUT

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[PeteyPablo]

Clippers showed up to play. Glad to see .

Jazz made a run but Clippers answered it in the 4th.

Zubac has been great. Maybe a mindset shift or possibly Harden is the Center whisperer.

[og15]

When was the last time a Clipper dropped 40 points? I feel like it was Lou Williams

Kawhi and PG both had a couple last season

[NickP]

Morris is such a (fill in your own words)

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That was a sideways smack at Kawhi, certainly. Who, let's be honest--does NOT bring it every night. If he did bring it like he did tonight--41 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asst, 6-8 from 3...we would always be contending for the #1 seed instead of the 4th.

But it's a new year and a new season. Kawhi has played every game so far. Let's clear the slate, even if Mook can't.

Right. Because Embiid brings it every night unless it's the playoffs.

[Wammy Giveaway]

I hope we're all on the same page now, Whitney.

No offense, but why are you calling me Ms. Whitney Giveaway? I'm a guy, you know.

[esqtvd]

I hope we're all on the same page now, Whitney.

No offense, but why are you calling me Ms. Whitney Giveaway? I'm a guy, you know.

oh, ok sure

[esqtvd]

Morris is such a (fill in your own words)

Read on Twitter

?s=20

That was a sideways smack at Kawhi, certainly. Who, let's be honest--does NOT bring it every night. If he did bring it like he did tonight--41 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asst, 6-8 from 3...we would always be contending for the #1 seed instead of the 4th.

But it's a new year and a new season. Kawhi has played every game so far. Let's clear the slate, even if Mook can't.

Right. Because Embiid brings it every night unless it's the playoffs.

Maybe. Mook is commenting on what he sees.

But Embiid played a playoffs on a torn meniscus. We all know somebody who didn't.

Code: Select all

REG SZN [career]: 27.5/11.2/1.7blk
PLAYOFFS [career]: 24.0/10.9/1.8blk

[Clemenza]

Kawhi was "that guy" last night. Phenomenal game! Zu killed it as well. We're starting to put it together slowly but surely

[esqtvd]

Kawhi was "that guy" last night. Phenomenal game! Zu killed it as well. We're starting to put it together slowly but surely

I see a new Kawhi, too. Certainly the first time he's played every game. This is YEAR FIVE. Hard to believe. School's out, the future is now. If not now, when? If not him, who? If not how, why?