Finger pointing in Clipper land?

[az1965]

Clippers' task simple: Win twice or go home

Associated Press




LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Clippers are doing their best to look forward -- understandable since reflecting back is so painful.

And all the analysis in the world won't help them beat the Phoenix Suns twice -- the requirement for advancing past the second round of the playoffs for the first time.

"You can't get last night back -- it's not changing," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said Wednesday of his team's 125-118 double-overtime loss in Phoenix, giving the Suns a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
"It's a really tough loss. It could have been an incredibly great win for us, down 19," Dunleavy said. "We did a bunch of things wrong that enabled them to win the game. The only thing we can do is come back and win tomorrow night.

"We don't have to be desperate, we just have to be solid."
Should the Suns win Thursday night at Staples Center, they'll advance to the conference finals for the second straight year. Should the Clippers prevail, it's back to Phoenix for a seventh and deciding game Monday night.

"We have the ability to win tomorrow night. We have the ability to win Monday night. That's not an issue," Dunleavy said.

The Clippers were in position to win Tuesday night, rallying from a 19-point deficit in the third quarter to take the lead in the first overtime. But thanks mainly to Raja Bell and Shawn Marion, the Suns survived in their 11th playoff game in a span of 20 days.

"We'll just try to gather our energy up and get loosened back up and get ready to go again," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It's not going to be easy, whether we have our energy or not.

"Going into their home floor, we need some luck. I think we'll have a shot to win the game."

Bell's 3-pointer from the left corner with 1.1 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game and forced the second overtime, where the Suns outscored the Clippers 14-7.

Marion had 36 points and a career playoff-high 20 rebounds while playing all but 3½ minutes of a possible 58. He limped off the court with an injured left ankle in the second overtime, but returned to make a layup with 1:05 left that triggered a game-closing 6-0 run.

"I talked to him on the phone and he said he's fine," D'Antoni said of Marion, who didn't practice Wednesday, instead undergoing treatment and taking care of some personal business before the flight to Los Angeles.

With the Clippers leading 111-108 and 3.6 seconds left in the first overtime, Phoenix got the ball to Bell, who connected over Daniel Ewing.
The Clippers had a foul to give, and Dunleavy said that was the plan. But he didn't blame Ewing, and didn't regret inserting the rookie into the game for the first time.

"We've done it all year because of the quickness factor," the coach said. "That was the decision. He's been one of our top defenders on the ball. The guy made a tough shot."

Ewing said he intended to foul, but decided otherwise because he didn't want to risk doing so while Bell was in the act of shooting.

"He caught the ball in the corner and turned and shot," Ewing said. "I did the best I could, put pressure on the shooter. It was a good play for them and a bad break for us. It was judgment call. He made a tough shot. We have to live with it.

"We gave away three games. We know we can beat them."
While a couple of Los Angeles players acknowledged there was some finger-pointing after the game, Ewing said he didn't feel targeted.

"I wouldn't say that," he said. "The shot didn't win the game for them."
Sam Cassell, the Clippers' floor leader who scored 32 points, didn't speak with reporters Wednesday. He was, however, quite candid following the game.

"We had a young guy in the game. It's not his fault that Raja made his shot, but we've got to know better in that situation," Cassell said. "We've got a foul to give, we've got to put Raja Bell in the fifth row with the popcorn man, but we didn't do it."

Chris Kaman, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes despite a strained right shoulder that kept him out of Game 3, spoke openly on the subject Wednesday.

"Some fingers were pointed. We talked about it," Kaman said. "Everything's good. Nothing we haven't seen before. We have a tight-knit group.
"I don't want to talk about it -- the game's over. If we lose (Thursday night) we go home."

When asked about finger-pointing, Dunleavy replied: "Barking and stuff -- whatever. We're fine as a group."

 

[jibikao]

i went to some Clipper forums and some people made a thread about Ewing not being able to defend that 3pt. I think it's unfair. Raja's shot was a LUCKY shot. The shot that doesn't go in 95% of the time. Ewing did close out on Raja and put his hands up. The only thing he didn't do is to jump and contest the shot, or foul Raja.

That was just unfortunate.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

I bet if Sam Cassell had been on Raja, he'd have done the same thing that Ewing did.

Hey Sam, instead of blaming a rookie, why don't you take the blame for the 8 second violation that cost your team a critical possession. That's what team leaders do.

 

[Chaz]

I guess we will see what the Clippers are made of. That is a pretty tough loss to take I imagine. It seems like they might be unraveling a little.

With guys like Cassell and Mobley on your team there is bound to be some finger pointing when things go bad. From what I have seen I wouldn't think those guys are going to point the finger at themselves.

Watching the Clippers body language and expressions during the half (walking to the lockerroom) and on the bench during timeouts it doesn't look like they are enjoying themselves.

 

[Chaplin]

I guess we will see what the Clippers are made of. That is a pretty tough loss to take I imagine. It seems like they might be unraveling a little.

With guys like Cassell and Mobley on your team there is bound to be some finger pointing when things go bad. From what I have seen I wouldn't think those guys are going to point the finger at themselves.

Watching the Clippers body language and expressions during the half (walking to the lockerroom) and on the bench during timeouts it doesn't look like they are enjoying themselves.

Most likely they are tired as hell. Our points in the paint stats over the past few games bear that out.

 

[100%CardsFan]

Cassell said. "We've got a foul to give, we've got to put Raja Bell in the fifth row with the popcorn man

Id like to see someone try it!! LOL it would be a brawl!!!

 

[Billy Bob]

Is it Ewing or Cassell that wanted to put Raja in the fifth row with the popcorn man?

 

[jbeecham]

Cassell wanted Ewing to put Raja into the 5th row.

 

[az1965]

Is it Ewing or Cassell that wanted to put Raja in the fifth row with the popcorn man?

Cassell made that comment in post-game interview obivously implying that Ewing should have fouled Raja hard.

 

[Cheesebeef]

wow - I've never actually seen a team ADMIT to finger pointing in the locker room after the game - maybe they are ripe for a fall tonight.

If we can just withstand the early emotional rush and keep it close, hopefully that team disintegrates into a ball of flames, with Livingston and Magette leading the way with turnovers and terrible shots.

 

[Nash]

Hey Jibi
I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was a lucky shot because he had a hand in his face and the shot was contested. But if you look at the past 2 games you will see that several of his treys are with a defender's hand on his face.

Raja made a tough shot. Ewing did a good job of contesting it, though he didn't jump. That is too much to ask of anyone though. To track your man, put your hand on his face and jump to block his shot all without fouling him outside the 3 pt. Raja is a veteran and he would've made sure he was in the process of shooting if he saw Ewing's foul coming.

I don't know much about Sam Cassell as a person. I've wondered why he has bounced around NBA teams when he seems to be a good ball player. Moreover, he's looked like a sportive guy from what I saw in the games and in his post game interviews.

Those who know more about Cassell's rep, can you please enlighten me about what kind of a guy/teammate he is?

 

[az1965]

i went to some Clipper forums and some people made a thread about Ewing not being able to defend that 3pt. I think it's unfair. Raja's shot was a LUCKY shot. The shot that doesn't go in 95% of the time. Ewing did close out on Raja and put his hands up. The only thing he didn't do is to jump and contest the shot, or foul Raja.

That was just unfortunate.

Then every buzzer beater in NBA is a lucky shot... the odds are always going to be 50-50. So what's the point?

 

[jibikao]

Then every buzzer beater in NBA is a lucky shot... the odds are always going to be 50-50. So what's the point?

The point is blaming Ewing for that situation is too harsh. Is it that hard to understand? And it's not always 50-50 chance to hit that shot. If that's the case, we would have won more than ONE game when the game is determined by 3pt or less this season.

 

[jibikao]

Hey Jibi
I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was a lucky shot because he had a hand in his face and the shot was contested. But if you look at the past 2 games you will see that several of his treys are with a defender's hand on his face.

Raja made a tough shot. Ewing did a good job of contesting it, though he didn't jump. That is too much to ask of anyone though. To track your man, put your hand on his face and jump to block his shot all without fouling him outside the 3 pt. Raja is a veteran and he would've made sure he was in the process of shooting if he saw Ewing's foul coming.

I don't know much about Sam Cassell as a person. I've wondered why he has bounced around NBA teams when he seems to be a good ball player. Moreover, he's looked like a sportive guy from what I saw in the games and in his post game interviews.

Those who know more about Cassell's rep, can you please enlighten me about what kind of a guy/teammate he is?

Yes, Raja made a VERY TOUGH, lucky shot with a few seconds left. It was a desperate shot and even D'Antoni said that wasn't part of the plan. It was all Raja. It wasn't by design, so it has more luck to it than most people think. Ewing didn't foul Raja and it's understanable. My point is some Clipper fans blame it on Ewing and I think it's unfair. That's all.

 

[az1965]

if at all, the coach should get the blame for putting a rookie who never played in the game to put on defending the one shot that everyone knew we needed.

 

[az1965]

The point is blaming Ewing for that situation is too harsh. Is it that hard to understand? And it's not always 50-50 chance to hit that shot. If that's the case, we would have won more than ONE game when the game is determined by 3pt or less this season.

50-50 is the probability, does not mean outcome is always 50-50.

 

[elindholm]

Those who know more about Cassell's rep, can you please enlighten me about what kind of a guy/teammate he is?

From what I've read, I think he is well regarded as a teammate. His short stint in Phoenix was a disaster, but other than that, he has been a good team player. He has bounced around because he is almost always griping about his contract, and that eventually wears thin with management.

 

[elindholm]

50-50 is the probability, does not mean outcome is always 50-50.

Generally speaking, players do not shoot 50% in those situations, so I don't think the probability is 50-50.

 

[Nash]

Oh now!
A lucky buzzer beater is what Derek Fisher of the Lakers made to save their series - Just a desperate fling of the ball hoping it goes in. Or the one 'elbower made from beyond the 3 pt line against us - out of balance, leaning in a weird direction; he just released the ball and got lucky. (If the homeless Laker guy here responds to this, I'm sorry for the misfortune I have caused the forum.)

Lets spare Ewing from this. He did the best anyone could have in that situation. Not his fault at all.

Raja made this shot the way he makes any other 3 ptr. If you look at that picture someone on this forum (was it you?) had of Raja shooting that ball, you will see he was in perfect posture - his body was straight, his release was perfect as well.

 

[az1965]

50-50 is the probability, does not mean outcome is always 50-50.

Generally speaking, players do not shoot 50% in those situations, so I don't think the probability is 50-50.

Probabilistically, it is a 50-50 chance - the ball goes in or does not go in. Like I said, that is the probability, the outcome may be much different.

 

[jibikao]

50-50 is the probability, does not mean outcome is always 50-50.

I know but in that kind of situation, we'll be lucky if we can see even 10% of the 3pt goes in like that. Hey, every team enjoys this kind of luck every once a while. There is no way we can tie or win a game like that 50% of the time. That's just not possible. The best way to win is to maintain the lead and free throw contest.

 

[Yuma]

If there is any fingerpointing in that situation with Ewing, it was the coaches fault for not emphasizing NOT letting Bell catch the ball anywhere near the three point land. Everyone knows his stats hitting the threes in the playoffs, yet he was allowed to catch and shoot in that situation. With three seconds to go and a foul to give, as a coach, I tell Ewing, stay in Bell's shirt, and any pass coming close to him, just wrap him up and don't let him catch the ball. Even if he inadvertantly fouls Bell while trying to stay close to him, so what? Foul to give. I know the players play, but sometimes coaches have to really emphasize something in order for it to happen. You can't insert a guy and just think, he knows what to do.

 

[jibikao]

Oh now!
A lucky buzzer beater is what Derek Fisher of the Lakers made to save their series - Just a desperate fling of the ball hoping it goes in. Or the one 'elbower made from beyond the 3 pt line against us - out of balance, leaning in a weird direction; he just released the ball and got lucky. (If the homeless Laker guy here responds to this, I'm sorry for the misfortune I have caused the forum.)

Lets spare Ewing from this. He did the best anyone could have in that situation. Not his fault at all.

Raja made this shot the way he makes any other 3 ptr. If you look at that picture someone on this forum (was it you?) had of Raja shooting that ball, you will see he was in perfect posture - his body was straight, his release was perfect as well.

That's what I was trying to say. And quite frankly, Bell didn't "win" the game with that shot. It was only tied. The other Clipper players played the 2nd overtime.

Edit: And yes, that Fisher shot has A LOT of luck.

 

[Joe Mama]

Haha, 50-50? What does Bell shoot from three-point land? 43%? And most of those are pretty open. Nevertheless I agree with you. That was not a lucky shot. That wasn't some shot he just heaved up at the last second.

I don't understand people saying they should have fouled on that one. Guaranteed if they had fouled him he would have been going to the line for three free throws. Bell created separation, received the ball, and Ewing was not even in position to commit a foul until Bell was in the act of shooting.

Charles Barkley was insistent that they should have fouled as well, but Kenny Smith had it right. You don't foul when they're so little time on the clock in that situation unless they are inside the arc or in no position to attempt a shot. The mistake that was made was allowing Bell to get behind the three-point line. Ewing and the others should have been guarding the line forcing the shooters into the middle of the floor.

Joe Mama

 

[myrondizzo]

also isnt there a rule about fouling before the ball is inbounded(the team gets the shot plus the ball)? because that would have been the only time to foul raja not in the act of shooting.