As we prepare for the 62nd game of the 2009-2010 NBA season, the Los Angeles Clippers stand in 12th place in the Western Conference (out of 15 teams) with a 25-36 record. Their latest loss came at the hands of the Phoenix Suns last night, 127-101 which, by the way, was less than seven days after those same Suns beat the Clippers 125-112.
I guess watching game film and coming up with new defensive strategies didn’t exactly work.
Amare Stoudemire absolutely had his way (pause) with the Clippers, scoring 30 points on 12-16 shooting with 14 rebounds in only 29 minutes of game time. Ever since not being traded at this year’s deadline, Stoudemire has been lighting up opponents and the Clippers frontline was powerless to stop him. It wasn’t just Amare that the Clips had trouble defending though, as the Suns shot 56% from the field and had four other players score double figures, including Jason Richardson and Channing Frye both getting 20+ points.
Yeah, safe to say Chris Kaman won’t be getting any Defensive Player of the Year votes.
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
It was yet another difficult loss for the Clippers, who were actually ahead by one point at halftime but surrendered any chance of winning after a horrible third quarter performance that saw them get outscored by 21 (39-18). Making the collapse even worse was the admission after the game by the Suns that they were already looking ahead to their next opponent, even while the Clippers had the lead.
“We just played with more energy in the third quarter, and that was the difference,” Steve Nash told the AP. “It was great for me to rest in the fourth quarter. I’ve been struggling a little bit with some injuries, so the more rest I can get is obviously better for me.”
Stoudemire echoed Nash’s sentiments.
“That was the whole purpose of coming out strong in the third quarter. We wanted to really jump on them and try to create the big lead and allow the starters to get some rest for tomorrow — which we did,” Stoudemire said. “Back-to-backs are always tough, especially when you’re playing Utah on the second night, because they’re physical. But we’re going to be prepared for them.”
It’s not really a good sign when a team can just decide to turn a switch, think ahead and smash you like the Hulk. The loss was the eighth time this season the Clippers have lost by 20 or more points and even though we have a new head coach in Kim Hughes, the ghost of Mike Dunleavy still made its presence felt. I say that because Clippers are 3-13 against the Suns since losing Game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference semifinals at Phoenix, which was choked away by Dunleavy and his infamous Daniel Ewing substitution.
Interim Clippers coach Kim Hughes does the signature “Why me?” pose perfected by Mike Dunleavy.
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Sometimes you only get one or two chances to seriously chase a ring in the NBA, or in the case of Clips fans, at least make it deep in the playoffs and it still stings to this day to think of how that magical season got thrown away in just one play. Anyways, back to the present, which despite all its mediocrity and suffering, has had a few bright spots.
On the court, we’ve seen tantalizing flashes of brilliance from center DeAndre Jordan, like his SportsCenter featured posterization of veteran Theo Ratliff (watch here) and the promise of more playing time for him after the Marcus Camby trade. As fans of a historically bottom-feeding franchise stuck in another losing season, the least we can expect is to see our players with high ceilings get a chance to play, and in Jordan’s case, a recent ESPNLosAngeles.com article shows that a boost of confidence might go a long way.
Off the court, we’ve had the pleasure of being able to watch the comedy gold of Baron Davis, who you can always count on for some great entertainment. The ban behind the “Fear the Beard” movement and various Internet sensations, his latest viral hit is a video of him selling his beard. Check it out below.
Say what you want about Baron and his performance or big contract, at least he brings some laughs and fun to the Clippers. Throw that in with some better shot selection (only four 3-point attempts a game, third lowest of his career) and his 15 points, eight assists and two steals a game fit in nicely with Steve Blake for a potent backcourt combo.
With the next six games being against playoff teams, the Clippers will need some of that Boom’s Beard power to come through and get some wins. And heck, if it works I might have to get myself one too.
-Will.
“Diary of a Clippers Fan” will be published Mondays and Thursdays during the regular season.
