The new-look Los Angeles Clippers were put to the test this past week by two elite teams – the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers – and passed the test by defeating both teams at Staples Center.
These important wins certainly give the Clippers the nod to join that elite circle and now own bragging rights against their cross-arena rival Lakers.
The Clippers tenacity so frustrated the opposing head coaches that the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra got ejected from the game and Lakers’ Mike Brown received a technical foul. Opposing players were equally frustrated, having to contend with power-forward, dunk-master, rebounding-giant Blake Griffin.
It also doesn’t hurt to have three veteran, proven, floor-generals in Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams. Although, Williams didn’t dress versus the Lakers due to a sore foot he is needed to come off the bench to lead the second unit.
Rounding out the starting five are center DeAndre Jordan, who has become a force to be reckoned with in the paint, and forward Caron Butler, a crafty veteran.
Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant got his points, but solid bench-player guard Randy Foye made it difficult for Bryant on many looks. Heat leader, LeBron James, was also agitated, missing four free-throws down the stretch that would have either tied the score or given the Heat the lead. His final miss with a few seconds remaining allowed the game to stretch into overtime.
“Our guards did a great job on Kobe, forcing him to miss some shots. It was a team effort…everybody was swarming,” said Griffin after the game.
During the post-game interview Bryant showed praise for the Clippers and Paul. “They were extremely aggressive on the glass and have so many weapons this year. We made a lot of mental mistakes, defensively, letting Chris split us and dribble through the lane…all the things that we’re not supposed to let him do.”
When former center Chris Kaman was traded for Paul the Clippers were in need of a back-up center and were fortunate to pick up free-agent Reggie Evans. He provides toughness under the boards and specializes in defense and rebounding..
“Reggie (Evans) gets those offensive rebounds that we hit three’s off of, and those were huge momentum swings for us…he should get the game ball,” said Paul after defeating the Lakers.
Against both teams, the transformed Clippers controlled the tempo of the game, something that has been missing from past Clipper teams. “We controlled the tempo, especially in the fourth (quarter), rebounded well, had less turnovers and good second-chance points,” said Clippers coach Vinnie Del Negro during the post-game press conference following the win over the Lakers.
The remodeled Clippers are finally getting the respect and accolades they deserve. In the past, the Lakers would get their star players painted on the side of the building next to Staples Center. Now, it’s the Clippers big three – Paul, Griffin and Jordan – proudly displayed on that same building with a billboard on 11th Street to boot.
The big question every year is if they can stay healthy, especially during this shortened season. If the Clippers can avoid major injuries, they should be in pretty good shape to make a run in the playoffs.
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