golden state warriors vs los angeles clippers preview (Photo: Kelley L Cox / USA Today)
Back at the end of January, we took some time out to get an update on the Los Angeles Clippers before they faced the Golden State Warriors from @illastrate of The No Look Pass.
This time we asked the following questions and, afterwards, answered a few that he had for us about the Warriors, from LaLaLand’s shoes.
But first, let’s get this quick scouting report on Chris Paul from one of our @LetsGoWarriors Twitter followers, Michael Kirwan:
The best in the business, luckily there’s always another game to play for Stephen Curry (“En Fuego Man”) to prove me wrong. Chris is the floor leader everyone in the world inspires to be like. He’s a dime-dropper extraordinaire, and a larceny to boot. He’s got the it factor, meaning with the game on the line he shall have the ball.
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Keep Paul out of the paint. The elbows are where you want him shooting from. Force him left if possible. Three pointers besides the top of the key are no longer part of his game.
And now, here’s @illastrate!…
1. Seems like Blake Griffin is always getting involved in physicality tactics (yes, we admit the likes of Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut may have a halo over their heads). Is there some point where Clippers fans wish he would just knock someone out? But then again, that’s not within his character, right?
There are times when I do wish Blake would retaliate, but the consequences far outweigh the instant gratification. Opponents are specifically targeting him in hopes of getting him ejected or suspended. Griffin realizes the team needs him and won’t resort to throwing a punch or doing something that will get him kicked out. He has enough technical fouls as it is.
2. How has CP3 been playing?
He’s still not 100%. When he first returned, you could tell he was still playing himself into basketball shape. His shot didn’t look good for his standards. Then he sprained his ankle and it seemed to further affect his shot and ballhandling. But in the last few games, it seems the spring in his step is back. His shot is slowly returning to form. One thing that hasn’t eroded is his ability to facilitate. Since the All-Star break, he has dished out 106 assists to only 20 turnovers in 10 games.
3. What’s the talk around town of the Warriors? The Clippers may be one of the only teams that readily recognizes it’s going to be a physical, defensive matchup, as opposed to the NBA-wide reputation of the Warriors being a finesse team, which has built up over the years.
The reputation of the Warriors in Los Angeles is definitely that of a finesse team. A team with deadly jump shooters who can get hot at any minute. People aren’t aware that they are third in Defensive Rating. I do think that the locals know that acquiring former Laker Steve Blake will help them, as they have been in need of a backup guard, and they know what Blake can do.
Here were his questions for me:
1. How would you assess the Warriors’ play so far this season? They started off hot, then had a dry spell, and are now playing well once again.
I just think they’re playing like they’re supposed to play: a young team with new experiences. They started out thinking they were going to conquer the world, then had a wake-up call, then recovered, then learned that just because you go 6-1 on a road trip and win 10 games, doesn’t mean 29 other NBA teams are just going to lay down in your own building, and then they got Steve Blake and now everything is starting to solidify. Of course, early season injuries elongated the process a little, too.
2. What is the reasoning for Andre Iguodala’s lack of offensive production? Is he still trying to gel with this team?
It started out with the hamstring and I think he’s just getting back to 100%. Now you see him attacking on the break. I actually asked him straight up after one Warriors practice about it and he said back then that he just needed to go out and rebound. He’s not the type of guy that gets a lot of stats. He just goes and gets the ball and makes plays. It’s like pickup at the rec hall, that guy who doesn’t shoot much, plays great D, is unselfish with the ball and literally has more fun when the rock is being shared. Yet he’s athletic, so you’re always going up to him after your pickup game and saying, dude, you should play on the school team or this or that. So I hope that metaphor helps a little in understanding Andre.
3. Which new addition are you more impressed with, Jordan Crawford or Blake and why?
Blake, by far, although that’s really no knock on Crawford. I hate to start sounding like a Mark Jackson “Borg”, but Crawford “is what he is”. He’s a scorer, exactly what Vinnie Johnson was to the Bad Boy Pistons. Sure, he was filling in at point for Rajon Rondo in Boston, but Crawford is a natural scorer, not a distributor. Blake is just a gamer who wants to win at whatever cost. He’s got that quiet assassin’s demeanor. Mostly, he’s a veteran who understands the game and values each possession. I haven’t looked at the numbers, but I bet he gave the Warriors quite an uptick on average years of experience. It’s those guys you want during clutch moments as opposed to a group of young players who are in charge of the rock and who might hesitate or have an inch of doubt.
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