OFFICIAL LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 2023-2024 SEASON THREAD

[rfx45]

So is Gallinari actually going to be able to help this team?

 

[P C H]

So is Gallinari actually going to be able to help this team?

No. He doesn't move the needle at all.

The issue with the Clippers and trades is that, they don't "need" as much. More than trades, they really just "need" health. They are a 60 win pace w/CP playing. You already have the CP/JJ/BG/DJ that you're not parting with, they aren't trading or benching Jamal, and they aren't trading Mo Speights and Felton. Austin Rivers is probably their best tradeable asset, but there aren't many players out there that the Clippers could trade Rivers for, that could move the needle for them and you aren't getting anything better out of a back up guard than what Rivers has given LAC this year and I don't know what Back up center you would want that could be better than what Mo Speights has been for LAC this year.

Now Of course, you want a more reliable stable of wings because out of Luc/Wejo/Anderson, the only real reliable one is Luc, but 1) Who are you trading for to get that guy and 2) Is that guy going to move the needle on a already really good team.

The Clippers haven't been fully healthy in a very long time but when CP has been healthy, they've gone 27-9, with good wins over the Cavs, Spurs, Memphis, etc. So it isn't as if some trade is going to make LAC that much better because when healthy, they've been really good to begin with.

More than Trades, the Clippers need good fortune in regards to health and honestly that should be enough come playoff time.

 

[P C H]

Maybe i'm in the minority, but if the Clippers present roster is healthy come playoff time, I don't know what team i'm that afraid of (minus gsw) or think that we can't beat.

That is not to say that I don't think we can lose, (we ABSOLUTELY can because, Clippers) but I just think that this team, when healthy are reallyyy good, and I don't see a trade (although i'm still for the Melo deal if it happens) that'll make LAC much better for this season than they already are, when healthy.

I will say though, More than Trades, health, and all that, what worries me with LAC is that they won't drop far enough to get out of that 4 or 5 slot, or that they won't get high enough to get tot hat 3 spot. (Which is still attainable somewhat) Blake Griffin is at like 26/9/7 on some insane 70/40/80 splits or something like that if you remove his first game back. He's playing at a top 5 level right now and he may potentially be good enough to keep us from falling beyond the 5 position.

 

[lawdog1]

BG named WC player of the weeks today for his work last week. Nice.

 

[P C H]

BG named WC player of the weeks today for his work last week. Nice.

Keep carrying us BG

 

[lawdog1]

Going to need another big game from Blake tonight and someone else is going to have to step up since Gobert usually either neutralizes or outplays DJ.

 

[P C H]

Going to need another big game from Blake tonight and someone else is going to have to step up since Gobert usually either neutralizes or outplays DJ.

True. DJ is 7-1 all time though against Utah though and we've taken 16 of 17 against them.

Need some combination of Blake and some combination of JJ/Austin/Jamal/Mo to shoot well.

 

[P C H]

Look at Austin Rivers man. I know it's Doc son, but salute Doc for turning Reggie Bullock into Austin Rivers. Wow.

 

[lawdog1]

Something is happening, bros. We are starting to get it back together.

That one man fast break by Blake a few minutes ago . . .

 

[P C H]

Well I'll be damned.

Austin Rivers is the difference maker man, the Clips got something with him.

 

[lawdog1]

Very poor showing by the bench to start the 4th. Hope we don't have to bring the starters back in, but I think its going to happen.

 

[P C H]

Very poor showing by the bench to start the 4th. Hope we don't have to bring the starters back in, but I think its going to happen.

Finish the game!!

 

[lawdog1]

Finish the game!!

Finishing is probably our most significant weakness this season. Prior to the Knicks game last week, we had not won a single game on the road in which we trailed at any point in the 4th quarter. 0-13. Now 1-13.

 

[lawdog1]

.... but Blake playing at MVP level should help with the finishing . . .

 

[P C H]

Blake Griffin really out here playing like a top 5 player.

 

[lawdog1]

Blake Griffin really out here playing like a top 5 player.

This Blake - the last 5 games Blake - if he sticks around, we maybe could not get washed by the Dubs in the playoffs.

 

[HIM]

Not eem gonna lie. I was rooting for the Jazz to cut the lead just to see Blake come back in

 

[P C H]

This Blake - the last 5 games Blake - if he sticks around, we maybe could not get washed by the Dubs in the playoffs.

I totally agree.

This Blake could allow us to win a game or two against them come playoff time. This Blake they have no answer for

 

[rfx45]

Just looking at the boxscore and did they really had 76 pts at the end of the 3rd and finished the game with 88 points?

 

[P C H]

So, as I was alluding to yesterday,

The Clippers have handled the Jazz twice now (once without CP), handled the Grizzlies twice now, (once without CP and Blake), Handled the Spurs twice now (Once without Blake and CP semi) And they've only played the Rockets once.

This team is really good and is going to be hell for teams in the playoffs, provided they find a way to not play the warriors at any point

 

[HIM]

So, as I was alluding to yesterday,

The Clippers have handled the Jazz twice now (once without CP), handled the Grizzlies twice now, (once without CP and Blake), Handled the Spurs twice now (Once without Blake and CP semi) And they've only played the Rockets once.

This team is really good and is going to be hell for teams in the playoffs, provided they find a way to not play the warriors at any point

That losing streak vs GSW is just so damn embarrasing but yea no other team in the West puts any fear in my heart. Not saying we can't lose to any team (we are the clippers after all) but I would go into any series with hope that we can win.

 

[P C H]

Aye @lawdog1

Just thinking about **** on a more macro level, how does it feel to root for a team who was once the worst franchise in sports, and now has been a perennial part of the top half of the western conference.

Asking you because you've been a fan of the squad since literally when I was born

I know we get upset that we can't get over the hump, but they've come such a long way. Like Magic Johnson was on First Take talking about getting the Lakers back competitive with teams like the Warriors, Rockets, spurs, and CLIPPERS. Did you ever think you would live to see a day where people would be saying that

Must be pretty cool to have lived through all of that.

 

[lawdog1]

Aye @lawdog1


Just thinking about **** on a more macro level, how does it feel to root for a team who was once the worst franchise in sports, and now has been a perennial part of the top half of the western conference.

Asking you because you've been a fan of the squad since literally when I was born I know we get upset that we can't get over the hump, but they've come such a long way. Like Magic Johnson was on First Take talking about getting the Lakers back competitive with teams like the Warriors, Rockets, spurs, and CLIPPERS. Did you ever think you would live to see a day where people would be saying that

Must be pretty cool to have lived through all of that.

It's funny - what you're saying is all true, but I have to make an conscious effort to put the current state of the team into that kind of perspective. Day-to-day, game-to-game, I'm thinking about wins and losses, playoff seeding, etc. and still get frustrated when we don't play to what I feel is our potential. Yeah, it's been great to see the team turn into a real, relevant NBA franchise. But now that we are that, it's hard not to want more. Especially having seen GSW, a team that was basically on the same level with is as long as I've been a Clippers fan, leapfrog us and get their title.

 

[P C H]

Can't ask for a better half than that. Finish them off, and go into the AS break w/ only being 3 back in the loss column of the Rockets.

Clips win tonight and the 3 seed is reallyyyy in play. They would only be 3 back in the loss column with Houston having a 4 game lead in regards to games played.

Team looks like they're finally started to get used to playing without CP. Blake playing well again.

 

[lawdog1]

Where the hell was this defense for like a month?