Game Day: Clippers (43-20) @ Suns (43-18), Wed 4/28/21

[Split T]

Defense is picking up!

[Split T]

This is how you close a team playing small ball! 2 huge offensive boards

[Flagrant Fowl]

Could be a coincidence, but it feels like the team offensive rebounding has improved since Craig arrived.

[The Bobster]

Once again -

Chris Paul is a bad man!

[Split T]

If we play the Clips in the playoffs, Ayton is going to be huge. The clips will go small, because Zubac can’t switch onto Paul. Ayton needs to be able to punish them for going small.

[Furlanfufi]

I don't want to look like an heretic here...but is CP3 better than Nash?

[Flagrant Fowl]

If we play the Clips in the playoffs, Ayton is going to be huge. The clips will go small, because Zubac can’t switch onto Paul. Ayton needs to be able to punish them for going small.

Isn't that the case for every potential opponent?

[Split T]

I don't want to look like an heretic here...but is CP3 better than Nash?

All-time? Yes

Is he better this year than Nash was for us? No I don’t think so, but it’s close. Definitely better defensively...and probably better at getting his own shot, but Nash probably could have done that more. Nash was a better passer I think...better shooter. Man it’s close though. There is an argument, but maybe I’m falling for recency bias.

[Split T]

If we play the Clips in the playoffs, Ayton is going to be huge. The clips will go small, because Zubac can’t switch onto Paul. Ayton needs to be able to punish them for going small.

Isn't that the case for every potential opponent?

No, Jazz won’t go small, Nuggets won’t go small, Lakers won’t go small.

[LazarusLong]

I don't want to look like an heretic here...but is CP3 better than Nash?

All-time? Yes

Is he better this year than Nash was for us? No I don’t think so, but it’s close. Definitely better defensively...and probably better at getting his own shot, but Nash probably could have done that more. Nash was a better passer I think...better shooter. Man it’s close though. There is an argument, but maybe I’m falling for recency bias.

I might give Nash the very slight edge as a shooter. Playmaking, they have different, but highly effective styles.
Paul has a clear edge as a defender.

[Split T]

I don’t think he’s in any type of real contention for MVP, but CP3 got some votes tonight. 28 and 10...10/15 from the field and some huge, huge buckets down the stretch.

[Furlanfufi]

Nash is my favorite player ever. But Paul, at his age, playing like that...

[LazarusLong]

Once again -

Chris Paul is a bad man!

Took over in the fourth quarter, where the pros are bold and the pretenders fold ...

[Flagrant Fowl]

If we play the Clips in the playoffs, Ayton is going to be huge. The clips will go small, because Zubac can’t switch onto Paul. Ayton needs to be able to punish them for going small.

Isn't that the case for every potential opponent?

No, Jazz won’t go small, Nuggets won’t go small, Lakers won’t go small.

That's right, but it won't make Ayton's role any less critical.

[Split T]

Clippers doubling off Booker was certainly something...I guess CP3 was that good down the stretch.

[Split T]

If we play the Clips in the playoffs, Ayton is going to be huge. The clips will go small, because Zubac can’t switch onto Paul. Ayton needs to be able to punish them for going small.

Isn't that the case for every potential opponent?

No, Jazz won’t go small, Nuggets won’t go small, Lakers won’t go small.

That's right, but it won't make Ayton's role any less critical.

Ya that’s fair..I guess his role will just be different. He tends to show up more when the challenge is bigger(Jokic). His apathetic play seems to show up more when the challenge is less.

[carey]

We back in the playoffs, fam!

[LazarusLong]

Solid game by Payne: 15 pts (including miracle falling out of bonds over backboard shot at end of third quarter) 4 assists and 4 rebounds.

Kaminsky had 13, including seven straight points in second quarter.

Craig with 10 points, 6 boards, two blocks and a steal.

[Wally_West]

[JeremyG]

Close to clinching home court advantage in the first round--8 games ahead of Lakers with 10 to play.