Tough game to watch.

I believe in the phrase “The captain sinks with his ship”, and that’s exactly what happens when I watch Clipper games like this. I watch games until the end for two reasons: Respect for the game, and chance for a comeback.

Well, the second option almost happened, as the Clippers cut the deficit from 25 all the way down to 7 during the start of the 3rd quarter.

As Eric Gordon knocked the ball loose from Tony Parker on the first play, and Chris Kaman made a brilliant move against Tim Duncan for the first 2 points of the game, things looked good. Camby was hustling on the offensive boards, him and Al had 3 of them in the first quarter. For some reason, Gordon was benched very early in the game, and the results weren’t good. As Gordon checked back in during the 2nd quarter, the lead was already up to 24.

So Dunleavy decided to bring Novak in early during this game, and it did absolutely nothing. One thing I don’t agree with that Dunleavy always does, is that he plays the matchup game with opponents. He waits for the opposing coach to make a move, and then he tries to fight it instead of playing his own game plan. For example, when the Spurs decided to play smallball- instead of Dunleavy sticking to his game plan and exploiting the height advantage the Clippers had, he decides to also play smallball. What Dunleavy doesn’t realize is that championship teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and other contenders always have the same set matchup. They make the opponents adjust to them, instead of adjusting to their opponents. But oh well, he knows best right?

Ginobili made 4 of his first 5 three pointers. One thing I noticed that really bothered me is that Kaman did not switch or pay any attention on the pick and rolls. There were plays where Duncan gave Parker a screen. Baron fought through it with no problems, and Kaman was still there in front of Parker, leaving Duncan WIDE OPEN for a dunk. Why would you do that? Then when Duncan gave a screen for Manu Ginobili, Kaman just stood there and watched Ginobili bomb a wide open 3. Frustrating night for Kaman, as he also missed a few wide open layups that he NEEDS TO DUNK.

All in all, the Clippers just could not guard Tim Duncan. When Kaman gave him space, he would use his patented bank shot from midrange. When Kaman didn’t let him shoot he would drive and lay it up. The role players like Matt Bonner, George Hill and DeJuan Blair really stepped up. I really like DeJuan Blair, he’s a hustler. He’s only 6’6 but he has a 7’4 wingspan. While he’s strong, he’s also athletic.

Clippers’ next game is tomorrow night, against the Wizards. We’ll see how Baron’s health is tomorrow- and I hope Gordon didn’t get injured when he took a spill in the 3rd (he went for a Ginobili pump fake, literally jumped over Ginobili who was ducking. His leg caught the top of Ginobili’s head, he fell awkwardly to the floor on his side). The Clippers need to come out with more energy and take control of the game.