FULLY LOADED CLIPS

I’m perplexed. Same old pain of being a Clippers fan lingers in my heart, but thanks to Chris Paul the games end in exultation. The Clippers continued their narrative of playing like virtual dogshit in the 1st half, falling behind by 18pts, yet managed to drag themselves back into this one and eventually win it. This game could be the best defensive game of the year for the comeback kids, but at the same time, they may have gotten VERY lucky by playing a Portland team that was exhausted (3 games in 3 days) minus LaMarcus Aldridge (their best guy). A win is a win is a win. Wins against Miami and Chicago count the same as wins against Charlotte and Washington. Ultimately, the regular season is all about compiling wins, making the playoffs, and then going from there. Yet, each game gives me heart palpitations. Each game makes me over analyze the Clippers from every angle like a fat girl after a 1st date. Do you think the Clippers like me? When they were down by 18, were they playing hard to get? I hate when they play all these games with my emotions. I mean I know they’re out of my league, but I REALLY like them; I just really don’t want to get hurt again.

See what I mean? I’m pathetic.

So here’s a more cliched column structure, that’s probably easier to read…

WHAT WE KNOW: The Clippers are a good team. By adding Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans, they now are one of the toughest teams in the league and are capable of playing good interior defense. In a 7 game series, the Clippers will not be any fun for opponents because of the physical nature of their interior 4 (Martin, Jordan, Evans, Griffin). 

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: The Clippers may not have enough scoring on this team. If Randy Foye can get his confidence back and start shooting the ball like a proper 2 guard (which he’s capable of), the Clippers will be fine. If Foye flops, the Clippers will have to rely on CP3 and Mo Williams bailing them out of possession after possession usually resulting in negative outcomes. 

WHAT WE HAVE: The best (yeah, I said it) point guard in basketball, paired with the most athletic power forward in basketball. If teams don’t figure out how to defend the Clippers “lob city” antics (Portland did), CP3 will run them clean out of the building.

WHAT WE DON’T HAVE: Half court offensive plays. Coach VDN knows the most effective way to use the Blake/CP3 combo is to run the pick and roll, but that should only be page one of the playbook. NOT THE WHOLE BOOK. Caron Butler is too good of a player to not be involved in more situations, and Blake ruins the shot clock by not establishing a deep enough starting position in the post. 

WHAT ABOUT J.R. SMITH? He’s a Knick. Don’t worry about him. Hopefully he dies in a fire.

WHAT’S NEXT: San Antonio brings their first place brand of boring basketball to Staples Center at 12:30 Pacific time on Saturday. The Spurs are one of those great teams that you know are too old, too slow, and too quirky to actually win, but then they do. Tony Parker can eat a dick.

PLAYOFFS?: Man, we’re just tryin’ to win a game. The stupid All-Star break is in 2 weeks, so yeah, I’ll discuss playoffs and seeding in the 2nd half.