Clippers better than Suns?

[ReddBird]

That's what the LA Times writers say, anyway. In this today's paper, Bill Plaschke wrote:

Statistically, the Clippers were supposed to lose this game, as 82% of the road teams these situations do.

But hopes were higher because, after 21 years of papering Los Angeles with losses — only one winning season during that time — these Clippers were different.

They were better than the Lakers during the regular season.

They were better than their first-round Denver Nuggets opponent.

And, face it, they were mostly better than the Suns in this series.

They had one game stolen from them when Cassell was benched for most of the fourth quarter. They lost another game despite leading by three points with 3.6 seconds remaining.

No kudos to the Suns. Nothing about missing players, a battered Nash, a will to win. Nothing about making the miracle shots that the better team manages to make!

Then T.J. Simers, same paper, wrote that the Clippers were the better team -- and that the Clips only lost because everything went in for (the Suns) shooters.

I didn't hear any of the Clippers players give this bull!

 

[JWF]

Ehh ignore them, no matter what they say, the team that wins in a 7 game series will ALWAYS be the better one.

 

[boisesuns]

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I actually agree with most of what he said. The Suns looked lethargic in all but Games 1 and 7. It seemed like the Clippers were the better team for most of the series.

However, as they say, the better team always wins a 7 game series.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't think it's too much to suggest the Clippers are the better team 1-12 on paper. They have a lot of talent (legit MVP candidate, defenseive stopper, energy players off the bench, sharpshooting vets) and have much more depth than the Suns. Unfortuantely for the Clippers, coaching also weighs heavily into who the better team is and Dunleavy this series once again proved why he's a journeyman coach.

 

[ReddBird]

Better on paper only counts in Playstation. I loved the real life results!

 

[Stout]

I actually agree with most of what he said. The Suns looked lethargic in all but Games 1 and 7. It seemed like the Clippers were the better team for most of the series.

However, as they say, the better team always wins a 7 game series.

That just shows how much worse the Clippers are, if they can't beat a lethargic Suns team.

 

[nowagimp]

I don't think it's too much to suggest the Clippers are the better team 1-12 on paper. They have a lot of talent (legit MVP candidate, defenseive stopper, energy players off the bench, sharpshooting vets) and have much more depth than the Suns. Unfortuantely for the Clippers, coaching also weighs heavily into who the better team is and Dunleavy this series once again proved why he's a journeyman coach.

The clips have alot of young healthy players. Problem is that young players like Lebron make mistakes, it just happens. The clips young players have made alot of mistakes in this series, but its hard to blame Dunleavy who often benched them for it. Good teamwork is not measured on paper. Chemistry and intelligence are not on any paper evals, and thats where the suns kick LA A__, AGAIN!!! And next year will be worse with Amare and KT back.

 

[jenna2891]

That just shows how much worse the Clippers are, if they can't beat a lethargic Suns team.

bingo.

 

[playstation]

Better on paper only counts in Playstation. I loved the real life results!

nah, i don't care about better on paper either...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Except for games 1 and 7, the Suns played very poorly in this series, and they still won. They were just plain tired and it showed. A little rest invigorated them.

The Suns were/are better than the Clips, even without Amare and Kurt. When you get beat in a 7 game series, 99 times out of 100 you got beat by a better team.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Except for games 1 and 7, the Suns played very poorly in this series, and they still won. They were just plain tired and it showed. A little rest invigorated them.

The Suns were/are better than the Clips, even without Amare and Kurt. When you get beat in a 7 game series, 99 times out of 100 you got beat by a better team.

Thats almost exactly what I said in post #4. Great minds think alike!

 

[Mainstreet]

It's not even necessarily who has the better team. The Suns' playoff experience clearly showed. The Suns know how to win games when they are not functioning on all cylinders.

I can still remember the look of disbelief in Dunleavy's face when the Suns shifted into 4th gear in the second half in game 7. IMO, the Clippers were fooled into thinking that the tired Suns team they had played earlier in the series was not the same Suns team in game 7. The Clippers thought the Suns team had already given them their best punch when in fact the Clippers had already given the Suns their best punch. The play of a rested Suns team really surprised them.

The Clippers forgot about the rest their team got when they finished off Denver early and failed to factor the effect of the Suns getting some rest into the equation.

 

[gdiddy]

Screw the LA Times, Screw the Lakers, Screw the Clippers, Screw Jack Nicholson, Screw Billy Crystal, Screw Hollywood, Screw 'em all. Give the Suns some RESPECT.

Sheesh!

 

[Charles V]

And, face it, they were mostly better than the Suns in this series.

They should have had t-shirts and hats waiting for them after their game 7 loss that read "Mostly Better Than the Suns 05-06".

I'm sure Elton Brand and takes a lot of solace in knowing that Plaschke thinks his team was "mostly better".

.

I was impressed by the way the Clippers handled themselves. They owned up to their shortcomings and gave the Suns credit in playing a tremendous game and series. It is a shame that their beat writers couldnt do the same.

 

[George O'Brien]

What the LA papers should have said it that any time a fully healthy team gets beat by a team without its all-star PF and starting center - the Clips should be hanging their heads in shame.

Seriously, the Suns were worn out by the LA series and the way the refs permitted physical play, but when both teams were rested the actual balance came out. The problem the Clips had is that they could not stop the Suns from shooting threes with Kaman in; but without him their size advantage was neutralized.

With frest legs, the Suns shot well and ran circles around the Clips defenders. The Suns are not simply quicker, they are a lot quicker. Once the Clips had to come out to defend the three, the Suns went into a layup drill.

The Clips had their chance. Next year, the Suns won't be so small.

 

[DeAnna]

Phoenix owns L.A.!! I didn't say it, the guy on Sportscenter did.

According to him, Phx beat the Lakers, the Clippers and drafted Leinart so they officially own LA. "They will be moving the Hollywood sign to Pinnacle Peak next week."

 

[jibikao]

What the LA papers should have said it that any time a fully healthy team gets beat by a team without its all-star PF and starting center - the Clips should be hanging their heads in shame.

Seriously, the Suns were worn out by the LA series and the way the refs permitted physical play, but when both teams were rested the actual balance came out. The problem the Clips had is that they could not stop the Suns from shooting threes with Kaman in; but without him their size advantage was neutralized.

With frest legs, the Suns shot well and ran circles around the Clips defenders. The Suns are not simply quicker, they are a lot quicker. Once the Clips had to come out to defend the three, the Suns went into a layup drill.

The Clips had their chance. Next year, the Suns won't be so small.

Amare will dunk in that Kaman's face rather than doing a soft finger-roll. He will put him in foul trouble which we can't do this year.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I will say this much.. It was a hell of a series, and the Los Angeles Clippers have arrived as a force to be reckoned with.

They made this series a good one, and hats off to them for taking the loss with class.

As for the article, it's merely the local spin. They're going to do whatever needed to put the positive end of season spin on things. In the end, as so many others have said, when it comes down to a 7th Game, the better team normally wins.