CLIPPERS(4) vs GRIZZLIES(5): 2013 First Round

Zach isn't talking about the ankle he sprained in march, right? something more recent?

There was no news whatsoever that he suffered a sprain recently. Even back in March, was the injury as serious? I thought his struggle back then had more to do with relationship with his coach. Whether his story is true or not, I think this is a clear shot at Blake Griffin.

of course. if they have a 2nd round loss, it's a little less likely. first round loss, very likely imo.

Stan Van Gundy, anyone? Vinny's not a championship-level coach imo. it goes back to the end of last year when he would continuously blow timeouts at the end of the game and not have any to advance the ball when he really needed them

His pure lack of ability to make adjustments in this series also shows his inexperience. This is the first time the front office has been in a contending position for more than a year. I wonder if they will keep him. I don't think they fired any coaches until losing seasons.

It's been pretty obvious that rebounding is a huge part of winning in this series and yet he continues to play 3 guard lineups, play Odom at center, and worst of all, continuing to not play Caron Butler. seriously, how do you not play caron?

Sterling's an idiot. Vinny was not the best choice to begin with (riding Rose's coattails, was handed an already good Bulls team). Should've gone with a more experienced coach but Sterling is a notorious cheapskate and everybody knows you have to spend to win in this league.
he held onto Dunleavy too long, then realized it after he gave him a big contract, then convinced him he would pay him if he resigned, then tried not to pay him for quitting.

To be fair the Clippers didn't have Chris Paul then when they hired Del Negro.
They went from a young team that only needed a passable coach to a contending team that needs a good coach with The addition of Paul.

That's a good point. What coaches are available that would be an upgrade?

If Sterling ignores his personal annoyance of Phil Jackson and hires him then he's a good owner from what we know of him.

SVG maybe. Larry Brown. Jerry Sloan. Zeke lol.

Zach isn't talking about the ankle he sprained in march, right? something more recent?

There was no news whatsoever that he suffered a sprain recently. Even back in March, was the injury as serious? I thought his struggle back then had more to do with relationship with his coach. Whether his story is true or not, I think this is a clear shot at Blake Griffin.

It's in the article that you just linked...

Randolph rolled his left ankle during Game 2 of the series in Los Angeles when he got tangled with Griffin beneath the Clippers' basket. A sprain of that same ankle on March 1 kept Randolph out of action for four games

I recently read that Jerry Sloan intends to return to coaching. Would be a good fit for the Clippers. If Phil Jackson doesn't talk him into that Pistons job...

Blake Griffin's ankle is apparently purple and the size of a grapefruit. He needed the help of a chair to lean on to put on his clothes. He might not play tonight.

Edit- Jerry Sloan might be a great fit for the uptempo Clippers who suffer from "what do I do" syndrome. Jerry calls plays from the sidelines, I think it would be a good fit.

I would rather see Blake play tonight so VDN wouldn't have to make any adjustments.

Damn, Phil Jackson advising the Pistons AND Monroe/Drummond? Good to be a Pistons fan these days.

Jerry Sloan would be a great coach on the court, it's off the court he sort of worries me. Wasn't there an article some time back where he demanded his players adhere to some really strict rules? The YOLO/SWAG generation will have none of that.

Wasn't there an article some time back where he demanded his players adhere to some really strict rules?

iirc it was Kirilenko. Practice was finished so he left the court but Sloan wanted/ordered him to stay because there were still some of his teammates on the court doing some after practice stuff.

Also Karl Malone where Sloan always belittled? and talked shite to the Mailman during Malone's early years in the league.

Hard fought series comes to an end.

Isn't this like third straight year that they faced each other? 2-1 for the Grizzlies?

I honestly think Chris Paul needs more help. Blake's not gonna cut it.

Hard fought series comes to an end.

Isn't this like third straight year that they faced each other? 2-1 for the Grizzlies?

I honestly think Chris Paul needs more help. Blake's not gonna cut it.

No. Second year. Clips haven't made the playoffs before that. Ever.

Disappointing if you compare it to how the LAC started the season. Even that winning streak. But ya, they need something new. CP3 alone isn't enough. It's like Irving in Cleveland.

Should have traded for Garnett.

they needed reggie evans back for the rebounding

They were hoping to get people who could score so they didn't need him. He's also another poor free throw shooter. Reggie Evans wouldn't have gotten them past Memphis or OKC.

Should have traded for Garnett.

That was never going to happen, not with KG's no-trade clause and desire to remain in Boston.

Either Jerry Sloan or Stan Van Gundy - especially Sloan - would obviously be a huge upgrade from Vinny Del Negro, if he's on the way out. Re-signing Paul is going to be the top priority for the moment, though that may go hand-in-hand with bringing in a new coach anyway.

When it only takes a week to evaluate whether to re-sign him,I think they have already made their decision. I think the only reason to let him go would be if they could get a better coach.