Game Thread: Sonics at Clippers
Posted on Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm by Brian Robinson
The game is televised on NBA League Pass’ free preview. Channel 444 on comcast.
Posted on Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm by Brian Robinson
The game is televised on NBA League Pass’ free preview. Channel 444 on comcast.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Kevin Durant looks WAY, WAY more comfortable. He is showing the real, real brilliance we can expect in the future.
Green as well seems more adjusted. Wicked putback dunk that really showcased his athleticism
Is there any better matchup in teh league for Robert Swift than Kris Kaman? I’d like to see Robert make an impact today.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
OH MY WILCOX why you be so nasty young man
November 4th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Wicox just threw a sick dunk on Kaman’s face!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
and then the clips went on a 6-0 run
November 4th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Green, Durant and Wilcox look great. Watson needs not to play anymore.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Fukk wilkins really just pisses me off.
He shot an air-ball from the 3 so now what does he do? He called his own numbers again and shot a 20 footer and missed as soon as the ball was passed to him, with 18 seconds left on the shot-clock.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Green is a BEAST!!! Swifty is not looking good at all… Brevin Knight walked up to him while he was in the middle of a post move and just out muscled him and took the ball right out of his hands… come on Swifty!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
We could certainly use Thomas.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
First half impressions: Swift looks slow and unimpressive. Durant looks good and smooth. Green looks much better. Great footwork. Better FG and FT shooting. Earl needs to be about 14th in the rotation. Delonte isn’t shooting much but is playing good D. Wilcox is quickly moving up the hierarchy of PF’s in the league; from middlish at best to upper middle, or even the lower end of the much better PF’s in the league. Collison’s offense is right where it was at the beginning of last year. Good D, but the well comes up dry time after time when the ball is in his hands.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I’m a little surprised at Collison’s continued lack of finishing around the hoop. Wilcox looks like a beast and Green is MUCH improved. May be tough to keep him out of the starting lineup for too much longer.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Jeff Green has had 3 nasty moves. I have been really impressed with him and Durant this first half. Also the dunk by Wilcox over Kaman was just plain sick!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I am really sick of seeing Nick shooting a beyond about 3 feet from the basket. He has not made 1 of those yet in the 3 games he has played. He needs to learn not to take those and find someone who can.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I also think that we need to stay in the zone because the Clippers have never been known as a good 3 point shooting team.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
What I am seeing today really jives with what I am hearing about the coaching staff.
3 notes:
1) The Zone: PJ simply believes that until they master the zone they will never be an elite defensive team. He is completely committed to utilizing it and taking his lumps until they improve
2) PJ wants them to utilize a traditional post game, passing the ball inside before they look for the outside shot. He’s frustrated that they go over this again and again but some players just instantly revert to the perimeter game once the buzzer sounds.
We saw a lot of dumps to the post early in the game. More than I can remember from a Sonics team.
3) He treats every player on the squad like they are the worst player out there. If 4 guys play great defense and 1 blows the play then as far as he is concerned as a team they blew it. He wants them to push each other and have an expectation that it is unacceptable for any individual player to be below the rest of the group.
Another fun and exciting game. We simply can’t lose Durant.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
The problem is that Nick isn’t finishing inside three feet either.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I wish I could see the game. My TV only goes up to channel 78 =(
November 4th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Same here r3bb. Channel 433 isn’t helping me very much. Nick is at such a size disadvantage going up against any seven footer, even the average ones. He needs to hit that mid-range shot against the taller centers he will encountering.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Damien seems to be having a good all-around game up to this point. However, my vantage point is purely from statistics, rather than actual observation.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
We can actually watch the game over league pass broadband. Here’s the link:
http://www.nba.com/broadband/league_pass.jsp
November 4th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
In other NBA news, Ray Allen hit the game winning three ball in overtime against the Raptors.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
after a few good shots, Wally is Kobe-ing it out there. Yikes
November 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
it is SO painful to watch Dickau play the point… moving the ball down court - just doesn’t look right. But he did have that nice drive finished by Mobley.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
So I suppose that Earl Watson will play the final 6:50…
November 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I just got home from the Vikings-Chargers game today and got to watch first hand as Adrian Peterson DESTROYED the Chargers on his way to setting an NFL single game rushing record. The guy is flat out a level above the other players on the field. Simply amazing. Every single play you think he is taking it to the house. Holy crap that was fun! We also got to witness an NFL record 109 yard return for touchdown to close the half on a missed field goal. If you guys get a chance to see the Vikings play, it’s worth the price just to see AP run.
Big Chris
November 4th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
The announcers are big Clipper homers. Very annoying to listen to them.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
He also says “bingo” whenever they make a 3 pointer. I can’t stand this guy.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I am sick of Wilkins. I don’t know who the hell he thinks he is, but he should not be taking so many shots. Shots that should be going to Durant, no doubt.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Wow. He just said “the fans are just eating this team out. They just love it!”
Get the mic away from this guy.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
The game isn’t on tv where i am but i see a 31-16 ft differential. is this legit?
November 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Clippers announcers + Wilkins shooting = I couldn’t watch anymore.
I’ve been saying it since the trade though, Wally should not be overlooked.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I’m 99% certain he didn’t say “eating this team UP.” It was definitely “out”
November 4th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Of course they are Clipper homers… it’s the Clipper broadcast.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Ya those Clips announcers were idiots. He kept saying “oh me oh my” I think hes a Dave Neihaus fan and that is his way of copying dave with his own little thing.
Well once again we fall apart in the 4th quarter. Hopefully we can fix this.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Did Durant sit out the first five minutes and ten seconds of the fourth quarter? If so, I would consider that another questionable fourth quarter decision by PJ. The kid was on fire and it was during that time that the Clippers started to separate. It is embarassing to be drilled by these guys without Elton Brand.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
The score doesn’t really reflect how close the game was. Tim Thomas nailed 3 3-pointers in a row near the end of the 4th quarter. He was just on fire.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Wilkins isn’t our problem. He was 6-12. Turnovers and 3pt shooting did the Supes in.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
And Durant should have take about seven more shots at least.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Watson is GARBAGE!!! What are they doing putting him back out there. He has got to be the worst of the 3 bad options at PG. Hell I’d rather see KD play point at this point.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
West should be playing.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I predict that the first win will come against Memphis. Those guys must also be having issues in the fourth quarter.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
KD didn’t sit out the beginning of the fourth. However, for once in the past two games, Earl Watson did not start the fourth… unfortunately, the Clippers still began gaining ground so coach put him back in. And surprise, surprise, the Clippers still continued to roll. Coincidence? I think not.
Where’s Luke?!?!? F’ing unbelievable.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
“I would consider that another questionable fourth quarter decision by PJ.”
One to add to the list, Earl Watson playing the final 8:51 of the game…
November 4th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Son OF A B!TCH!!!!!!!! My TV said Sonics at 3:30 p.m. I just turned it on to see the final score. Whatta day…..
November 4th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I think it’s official. Earl should retire and teach Luke defense.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
these fourth quarters are miserable
watson/wilkins/scerbiak just don’t inspire any confidence in me
green with 14/7 and a block in 23ish mins
4 fouls and 4 turnovers but this is encouraging to say the least and it sounds like he’s starting to get more comfortable
November 4th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Well the hawks are on and winning…
November 4th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
R. Allen vs Toronto: 11-16 FG’s 7-11 3pt and 33pts
November 4th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
i don’t even feel the need to comment on durant anymore. offensively he doesn’t have an adjustment period…if he keeps improving he’ll be top 5 league wide in scoring
November 4th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
PLEASE FREE LUKE!
The Good
*Durant simply is amazing to watch…
*Green had some good offense & solid defense 6-6 FT!
*Wilcox was so fast & aggressive, dude is beasting!
*Wally 13pts in 17minutes
The Bad
*22 Turnovers
*Bad shot selection
The Ooogly
*4th Quarter again
*Watson again
I still dont understand what PJ is trying to do.. Wilcox/Green was just beasting in the 1st half rebound/scoring/playing solid defense…Then he ends up not playing them hardly in the 2nd half. Continues to give Wilkins & Watson minutes, is he trying to up the trade value for these two?
Ok with 4th quarter melt down, don’t you think Pj should do something different? Like FREE LUKE already. Watson should not play the 4th quarter at all.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
woah Ray hit 7 threes? geez…
November 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
“these 4th are miserable” …………AGREED!………especially when you finally log in to the live feed with the score 78-80 thinking you`ve actually got a shot at a first win.
Brian, think the next thread should be why exactly is Watson playing???
If its for exposure for a trade then isn`t his value going down? If its cause he`s better than Rid or West then how bad does PJ think they are? If its for his defence - does that matter if he completely destroys any offensive flow? I`m at a loss to explain it.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Observation N.1- Durant is sick. Fearless and silky smooth. Right now he looks like a 6′9 Ray Allen.
Observation N.2- Please Play Luke
Observation N.3- Whenever Wally is in the game, there’s no ball movement. He can’t take anyone off the dribble. Wally should be used strictly as a spot-up shooter.
Observation N.4- Delonte West came back down to earth. His turnover ratio is scaring me.
Observation N.5- Jeff Green telegraphs his moves too much. He got stripped going to the basket at least 4 times today.
Observation N.6- Yeah we’re going to get Derrek Rose
November 4th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Again, I think we need to trade Watson/Petro + some other players(Wilkiens .. etc) to get a legitimate SG. Hope they improve in 4th QTR next game ..
November 4th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Durant with 24pts, 8 rebs and 5 assists. Wow.
Collison and West each had zero points. Wow.
Watson only had 4 in 25 mins. Blech.
Wilkins, although we don’t like his style of play, did very well with 22 points, 5 rebs and 6 asst. He shot 7-13 and only 2 turnovers. What is there to complain about there, really?
Green turned the ball over 4 times, West and Wally each 3 times. That is the problem area, IMO. Along with Swift with 2 points, Collison and West with ZERO points, and Watson with only 4. We can’t just rely on the main guys to do all the scoring…
Swift looked very slow and vulnerable, did not see any bright spots there.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
without KT we are going to continue to get exposed at the C.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Watson needs to be demoted.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
so is Luke not playing due to the mask or due to the coach’s wishes???
November 4th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
green really needs to get that j going
he’s getting stripped cause he’s decent right now are taking it to the rack for a layup/dunk or taking it to the rack for a mid range jumper
i know the sonics have changed his form on shooting so i expect 3-5 turnover games for a while whenever he gets significant mins
this is kind of greedy though. if green all of a sudden gets a j and gets more comfortable we’d legitimately be looking at the best all around player on the team
November 4th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
F’n every time Hasselbeck calls a TO we lose the ball. Every time. Not just this game, either. And one other thing that always happens right after he calls a TO… Holmgren is red, pissed, yelling at his microphone. For good reason.
November 4th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Was that stupid running play at the end of the 4th quarter an audible?
November 4th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Luke’s not playing because they have an excuse to sit him in order to shop Earl Watson. Flat out. Why else would it make sense?
A mask isn’t that big of a deal, and nobody has a comment on the situation from the team = Watson is leaving. Just waiting for the right time…
November 4th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I went to the game today and had pretty good seats as well! The lack of a good Center is a big problem. Seeing Collison try and guard Kamen was futile, as was Wilcox’s forced post moves against him. Delonte is very reckless with his interior passing, which kind of nullifies the good defensive energy he brings. Swift hustles and has lots of energy, but his spacing and defensive position were not too good. Wally looked good for a few minutes after he started to force the issue, otherwise he looked kinda broken down. Green continues to show flashes of brilliance, mixed with rookie mistakes. Durant on the other hand, is much further ahead of the rookie learning curve on offense and was fun to watch, but he was pretty ineffective come 4th quarter. How the team let Dan Dickau and Tim Thomas steamroll them in the 4th is sickening. Wilcox’s post moves are improved - but he forced the issue too much against the much bigger Kamen - he needs to learn the concept of interior passing, and so do the rest of the Sonics need to learn the concept of moving without the basketball. Wilkins has a knack of missing shots at pivotal times, otherwise he looks improved. I’m hoping that a line-up appears soon that bodes better consistency.