Clippers News

Gordon could return next week
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November 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clippers General Manager and Coach Mike Dunleavy, with his team looking muddled defensively and in an opening-month spiral, on Thursday addressed the issue of his job security. The Clippers (4-9) have won one of their last six games, and returned home having dropped consecutive games to struggling New Orleans and Memphis. They play Denver tonight. "When's the last time you ever saw an interim coach come in and the team be successful and make a playoff run?" Dunleavy said. "It's not happening. Nobody knows these guys better than I know them. "Give a coach a chance to coach Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin. After that, fine. Let the chips fall where they may. Other than that, you just fall to ..."
Gay, Randolph lead Grizzlies over Clippers, 106-91
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November 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"They locked themselves in a room. No coaches allowed. The Grizzlies players recently held a no-frills, private party with only a television, DVD player and plenty of burning issues to air out. That players-only film session is what the Grizzlies mostly credited Wednesday night for inspiring their first two-game winning streak this season as a result of a 106-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in FedExForum. Memphis led from start to finish thanks to their most thorough effort since a victory against Toronto nearly a month ago. Displaying dreamy ball movement on offense and improved effort defensively, the Griz suddenly are playing like they watch game reruns: Together. "The meeting ..."
Clippers lose game, and Camby
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November 19
Los Angeles Times
 
"Remember all those days ago when the latest Clippers crisis appeared to be averted? Turns out it was merely the briefest of commercial breaks, or someone leaning on the pause button for a second or two. Three days after a seemingly unifying road victory, not only has the malaise resurfaced, but the Clippers have practically gone subterranean, losing consecutive games to NBA minnows. The latest was an embarrassing loss to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies, who won their third game, defeating the Clippers, 106-91, at FedExForum on Wednesday night. Marc Gasol ran the table in the first half, and Rudy Gay and former Clipper Zach Randolph (21 points) took over in the second half for the Grizzlies. ..."
Clippers' loss is bigger than just a game
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November 18
Los Angeles Times
 
"An already subdued Clippers locker room -- quieted after a 110-102 loss to the Hornets on Tuesday night at New Orleans Arena -- became even more downcast when Kareem Rush arrived on crutches, moving slowly to his spot near the corner. There were a couple of murmurs in the room and finally one of his teammates asked, "You OK?" Said Rush: "No." Rush then told his teammates that he had a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which puts him out for the rest of the season. Conclusive word came less than an hour later when the MRI test result came in and confirmed what Rush feared and had told the other players. He suffered the injury late in the first quarter, with 2:31 remaining, ..."
Clippers give New Orleans' Bower first win as coach
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November 18
L.A. Daily News
 
"Jeff Bower calmly walked off the court and quickly into the tunnel, doing little to attract attention to himself after his first win as an NBA coach. When he first took over for the fired Byron Scott on Thursday, he said the change was about a New Orleans Hornets team he believed could play better because he had assembled it as general manager. Yet, in the locker room after the Hornets' 110-102 win over the Clippers on Tuesday night, Bower's players wanted to make it about him, if only for the few moments it took to give him the game ball and a round of applause. "We've been through a lot here in the last couple of weeks and we're just showing him that we're trying as a team, as an ..."
Al Thornton weighs in on woes
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November 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"Conventional wisdom held that a slimmer Al Thornton was supposed to be a new-and-improved Al Thornton. Instead, the Clippers' Thornton slid back a step or two after he dropped 25 pounds during the off-season, struggling with his confidence, struggling with his shot and ultimately losing his spot in the starting lineup. Apparently, you can be too thin too fast. It's fine for a supermodel, not so fine for a small forward. Thornton is showing signs of coming out of his early-season malaise. He landed back in the starting lineup after shooting guard Eric Gordon was injured and Rasual Butler was moved from small forward to fill Gordon's spot. Thornton's most complete game came Sunday, when he ..."
Clippers get even with Oklahoma City Thunder
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November 16
The Oklahoman
 
"For the second time in a week, the Thunder followed a big win with a disappointing loss. Last week, the Thunder routed the Orlando Magic. Two days later, they lost to Sacramento, a Kings team they routed in the season opener. This time, the Thunder was coming off a big road win over the Spurs but lost 101-93 to the Clippers, the same team it defeated four days ago in Los Angeles. "Give credit to the Clippers," said Kevin Durant. "They came out and played hard and tough on both ends. It was a bad loss for us. But we can learn from it that especially on back-to-backs we have to bring energy from the beginning." Oklahoma City rallied from a 13-point third-quarter deficit to own a 76-75 lead ..."
Clippers pull out of spiral to beat Oklahoma City, 101-93
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November 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"Not all lost leads are created equal. This time, the Clippers' lead was not too big, too early -- the way it was a couple of days ago against the Raptors, as noted Clippers philosopher and big man Chris Kaman helpfully pointed out. The Clippers merely lost a 13-point lead to the Thunder on Sunday. But then came this revelation: Apparently, not every squandered Clippers lead is gone forever. Instead, the Clippers, who were behind as late as the last 1:59, rallied as they were led by Baron Davis. Davis made a three-pointer with 43 seconds remaining and later added two free throws to secure the win, helping defeat Oklahoma City, 101-93, at the Ford Center. Kaman led the Clippers with 25 ..."
Raptors turn crises into comebacks
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November 15
Toronto Star
 
"It's obvious the Raptors coaching staff is far more prescient than many. It may give them all ulcers by the end of the season but they seem to find brightness in the gloom the club seems to always put itself in. The latest example came in Los Angeles on Friday night, when the Raptors managed to play themselves into a 22-point first-half deficit against the Clippers."
Can Clippers shape up without a shake-up?
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November 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"Debacle ... The Day After. So what happens next -- other than the Clippers getting on the plane to fly to Oklahoma City -- after Friday's mind-boggling collapse, in which Toronto rallied from a 22-point deficit to defeat the Clippers, 104-89? Tone and attitude would suggest a major shake-up for the Clippers, at least the way team officials were looking after the dust cleared against the Raptors. Frankly, change would be looming for almost any sports team in any league after such a series of debacles. The Clippers won just two of their first 12 games when they made a big trade last season, the big piece being Zach Randolph, who was acquired in a multiplayer deal with the New York Knicks on ..."
Raptors claw back against Clippers
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November 14
Toronto Sun
 
"The Raptors were down, but far from out for most of the night. When the opposition is the downtrodden L.A. Clippers, the improbable becomes probable, the unlikely seems more likely. And such was the case Friday night, when the Raptors rallied from a 22-point hole to escape L.A. with a 104-89 win, giving the 5-4 Raptors their first back-to-back wins of the young season. For the record, Toronto's comeback tied for the largest in franchise history. "I don't know why we fall behind," Raptors head coach Jay Triano said. "But I like our fight. It shows we can do it and it shows we've got character." The Clippers began the game by making every shot from virtually every conceivable spot on the ..."
Raptors erase 22-point deficit to beat Clippers
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November 14
Toronto Star
 
"If there was an easy answer, Jay Triano would tell everyone. But there isn't, so all he can really do is sit back and marvel at the kind of rollercoaster night his Raptors can put people through. For the second successive game, they had moments in the first half where they were atrocious but they came storming back to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 104-89 at the Staples Center here last night. The coach was happy, but not amused."
Another sore spot for the Clippers
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November 14
Los Angeles Times
 
"How do you blow a 22-point lead? Watch. The Clippers are proving capable of blowing all varieties of leads -- big, medium and small -- in excruciating and creative ways. This time, the meltdown came early, not late. The Clippers had a 22-point lead dwindle to nine by the end of the first half, and vanish by the start of the fourth quarter. Which turned the final 12 minutes into a genuine cliff-hanger. Not quite all of it. The Clippers didn't score in the final 6:58, as the Raptors won, 104-89, Friday night at Staples Center. Incredibly, the Clippers missed their final 11 shots. Chris Bosh led the Raptors with yet another double-double, scoring 21 points and adding 14 rebounds. The ..."
Chris Kaman has a virus, not flu
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November 13
Los Angeles Times
 
"Under doctor's orders, Chris Kaman stayed away from his teammates Thursday. Nothing against the Clippers' leading scorer, but that may have been the best call of the week. Kaman is suffering from a virus -- not flu, the team says -- and the last thing they need is for what he has to go spreading through the squad. It's not a good thing if their numbers continue to hover around 10 and 11 players, at practice, and especially with a three-game trip coming up, starting at Oklahoma City on Sunday. First, though, is tonight against Toronto. The Clippers are hopeful that Kaman will be back against the Raptors. Kaman, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds in Wednesday's loss to the Thunder, struggled ..."
Former OU star Blake Griffin eager to get back on court
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November 12
The Oklahoman
 
"When Blake Griffin was first diagnosed with a fractured left knee cap, it appeared the former Oklahoma basketball star would be sidelined six weeks. Almost three weeks into his rehab, that estimate might be the time frame Griffin resumes full-scale basketball drills, not play in a game.Before the Los Angeles Clippers played the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Staples Center, Griffin said he's looking forward to his NBA debut, whether it's early December or sometime around Christmas.Griffin will miss the Clippers' only visit to the Ford Center. He won't even make the trip to Oklahoma City for Sunday's game because he's receiving a second plasma injection today that prevents him ..."
Durant leads Thunder to 83-79 win over Clippers
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November 12
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant stepped back and hit the go-ahead jumper from the left corner with 38 seconds remaining for two of his 30 points, giving Oklahoma City an 83-79 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Jeff Green added 13 points, and Nenad Krstic had 10 to help the Thunder end a two-game road losing skid. Durant also had 10 rebounds. Chris Kaman led the Clippers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Baron Davis added 17 points and nine assists, and Al Thornton scored 15 points. Thornton was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 1:28 remaining and made all three free throws to tie it at 79. Rasual Butler missed a 3 before Durant got the ball in the corner opposite the Clippers' bench for ..."
Clippers take turn for worse in loss to Oklahoma City
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November 12
Los Angeles Times
 
"The present looks increasingly bleak for the Clippers with so much of their future wearing haute couture instead of jerseys and sneakers. In their second game without injured shooting guard Eric Gordon, the Clippers fell deeper into an early-season sinkhole Wednesday night at Staples Center during an 83-79 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers squandered a nine-point, third-quarter lead and dropped to 0-2 without the second-year Gordon, who is expected to miss at least five more games because of a sore left groin. Rookie forward Blake Griffin, who hasn't played this season because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap, won't return until next month. The only thing left to play ..."
Eric Gordon to miss at least six more games
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November 11
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clippers' seemingly unending injury issues became even more acute Tuesday, when they learned that Eric Gordon would be sidelined for at least 10 more days because of a strained left groin muscle. Gordon, the second-year shooting guard, suffered the injury Saturday against Memphis and sat out the Clippers' embarrassing 112-84 loss to New Orleans on Monday. He will miss a minimum of six more games and won't return until Nov. 23 against Minnesota at the earliest. Center Chris Kaman said he considered Gordon's absence "a tougher loss" than that of rookie forward Blake Griffin, who has not played this season because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap. "You lose someone like that, it's ..."
Eric Gordon out indefinitely
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November 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"Not a good sign when Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy wasn't using the term day-to-day to describe Eric Gordon's left groin injury. (Who knew how true it could be when we wrote yesterday that things have a way of turning from day-to-day into week-to-week around here) "Hopefully, we get him back as soon as possible," Dunleavy said before Monday's game against the Hornets."
Clippers could have looked up but settle for the bottom
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November 10
Los Angeles Times
 columnist T.J. Simers
"The Clippers apparently have so many rock heads on their team the organization has taken to putting up signs everywhere in Staples Center this season to remind them, "It's game time." In yet another daring move, they also have this printed on the hallway wall outside their locker room: "We are what we repeatedly do, excelling, then, it is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle." We already know they don't listen to Coach/GM MikeDunleavy -- you think they're going to pay attention to a guy who might be a soccer coach for all they know? A new season, and the Clippers come back with the same depressing story line, yahoo radio guy, lots of injuries and a druggie in their locker room just to remind ..."
Clippers' momentum is hit by a buzz saw
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November 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clipper Youth looked good Monday night. Sharp, even. There they were. The franchise's first-round draft picks of the last two Junes, sitting side by side, looking ready to lead the way forward. Only, forward to a nice restaurant, not the basketball court. Though Eric Gordon might need to copy Blake Griffin and put on a tie to get in the door. Griffin hasn't played this season because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap and Gordon, sidelined by a strained groin, joined him in the row behind the bench, both wearing street clothes. There is no timetable on Gordon's return. What happened next was utterly predictable. The New Orleans Hornets routed the defense-challenged Clippers, ..."
Clippers get stung again
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November 10
L.A. Daily News
 
"L.A. sees its three-game winning streak end, as it loses 10th in a row to New Orleans. Second-leading scorer Eric Gordon didn't play because of a sore groin, but it wouldn't have mattered to the lifeless Clippers on Monday night. Chris Kaman had 14 points and six rebounds for the Clippers, who saw their three- game winning streak end at the hands of the New Orleans Hornets 112-84 at Staples Center. "We didn't come mentally prepared for this game, and that's why we lost," Kaman said. "We've just got to bring the effort. We didn't have the effort tonight. "Nobody really played that great for us." The Clippers have lost six in a row to the Hornets at Staples Center and 10 straight overall to ..."
Clippers' list of injuries just keeps growing
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November 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"Just what the Clippers don't want to see when Chris Paul is lurking around the corner and an oh-so-modest goal of .500 is within reach: Eric Gordon is injured. The second-year guard is suffering from a sore left groin, making him doubtful for tonight's game against Paul and the New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center. Gordon didn't suffer a specific acute injury but experienced discomfort and soreness during the fourth quarter of Saturday night's victory over Memphis. The Clippers (3-4) didn't have a full-scale practice Sunday, when they mostly watched game film. Gordon was rechecked in the morning and the decision was made to rest him."
Clippers hand Grizzlies fifth straight loss
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November 8
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"The Grizzlies' losing streak knows no boundaries. After learning earlier in the day that veteran guard Allen Iverson had left the team to deal with a personal issue, the Griz dropped their fifth straight game Saturday night with a 113-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Staples Center. Rudy Gay scored a game-high 33 points, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Griz from going winless on a five-game road trip. Much like they had done with or without Iverson, the Griz had no problem scoring. Stopping the Clippers was the problem, continuing the Grizzlies' defenseless ways that have plagued them since the start of the season. In dropping to 1-6 for the season, the Griz allowed the Clippers ..."
Clippers make it three wins in a row
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November 8
Los Angeles Times
 
"So what if Rasual Butler hadn't made a single three-point shot through three quarters? He has his own green light, and it always seems to be on. Butler made two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, the second coming with 3:13 remaining, and the Clippers managed to hang on for a 113-110 victory against Memphis on Saturday night at Staples Center. Suspense lingered until the end. The Grizzlies had a chance to tie it in the final seconds, but Rudy Gay's shot clanged off the rim, though replays did show that his foot was on the three-point line. It was the Clippers' third straight victory after they opened the season with four consecutive losses."
Golden State Warriors crushed by Clippers
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November 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson said he was embarrassed. Guard Monta Ellis called it the worst game he's played in as a Warrior. The Warriors lost 118-90 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. "We all should be embarrassed," Ellis said after totaling 14 points, six assists and six turnovers. "This was a terrible game. A terrible performance. We looked like we didn't know what we were doing out there. We looked like a high school team. We didn't do anything. ... I couldn't tell you what it was. I just know that's not how I want to play basketball." It's bad enough for Warriors fans that their team got humiliated. But it certainly had to sting more considering it came at the hands of ..."
Warriors blitzed by Clippers in second half
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November 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Coach Don Nelson deemed the Warriors' 118-90 loss Friday night an embarrassment, and his players parroted the message after being thoroughly outplayed by the Clippers in front of 18,788 at Oracle Arena. "I don't have a lot to tell you other than what you saw for yourself: a bad performance and bad effort," Nelson said. "We all should be embarrassed," Monta Ellis said. "This was a terrible performance, and a terrible game. We looked like we didn't know what we were doing out there. We looked like a high school team. "We didn't do anything." The Warriors did shoot poorly, did play little or no defense, and did turn the fourth quarter into an irrelevant collection of 12 minutes. They shot ..."
Baron Davis leads Clippers to win
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November 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Baron Davis, a self-proclaimed aspiring author, was talking all about the transition game Friday. And not just the transition game on the court. He firmly declared the Golden State Warriors part of his life to be over and sealed shut. Davis backed up those words with his actions a couple of hours of later, leading the Clippers to a 118-90 victory against his former team at Oracle Arena. "I think that chapter is officially closed," he said. "I'm trying to open up that new chapter and start it here with the Clippers." Then again, last season's disaster with the 19-win Clippers could have prompted a book-burning party."
Andris Biedrins' injury leaves Warriors short at center
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November 6
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Warriors may be down two centers as Andris Biedrins, the starter, is questionable for today's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of an ailing back. "It's a little sore," Biedrins said Thursday. "Hopefully I will play, but we'll see (today)." Biedrins' backup, Ronny Turiaf, missed Wednesday's game with a sprained left knee. He did not practice Thursday and is doubtful for today's game. So coach Don Nelson will turn to veteran Mikki Moore as the starting center if Biedrins or Turiaf can't play. The last time Moore started was last season with the Sacramento Kings, on Jan."‰6 at Chicago. Anthony Randolph, whom Nelson said will serve as a backup center, won't start because the ..."
Against Clips, big men could play biggest role
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November 6
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist John Shea
"It's almost always a good time to play the Clippers, the Warriors' opponent tonight. But on this occasion, the Warriors could be at a disadvantage in one noticeable area - big men. Center Andris Biedrins said his playing status is 50-50 after straining his back in the final moments of Wednesday's 113-105 win over Memphis. Biedrins said he would be far from 100 percent if he suits up. With post Ronny Turiaf still shelved with a sprained left knee, the Warriors could be vulnerable underneath against Clippers 7-footer Chris Kaman (averaging 22.6 points, highest among NBA centers, and 10.2 rebounds) and 6-11 Marcus Camby. Even without Biedrins, Anthony Randolph won't be in the starting lineup, ..."
Clippers' Rasual Butler works on his shooting
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November 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"The number 1, as in the number of Clippers wins, was lodged in Rasual Butler's mind, but so were some others from his performance Monday, such as his three-for-15 shooting from the field. That's why he stayed after practice Thursday, going well into extra time. Butler worked on his shot long after his teammates had departed for lunch or other errands before their afternoon flight to the Bay Area for tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors. "I was just a little disappointed in the way I shot the ball the other night," said Butler, who was also five for six from the free-throw line. "I got some good looks. Chris [Kaman] gave me some great passes in the clutch. I just want to be ..."
Sterling suit seems to fit NBA just fine
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November 5
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling agreed to pay $2.73 million this week to settle a federal case alleging he discriminated in the rental of apartments he owns with his wife in Southern California. The settlement is "the largest monetary payment ever obtained" by the U.S. Justice Department, according to a news release from the organization. It stems from allegations Sterling's company targeted and discriminated against blacks, Hispanics and families with children in renting apartments in greater Los Angeles. The settlement must still be approved by a federal judge but should also resolve two additional tenant-filed suits alleging racial discrimination. "The magnitude of this ..."
Chris Kaman is taking it outside
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November 5
Los Angeles Times
 
"What has gotten into Chris Kaman -- and will it stay there? The Clippers' center has bolted from the gate to a level that has surprised many. After six seasons in which he averaged 10.4 points a game -- including the last two when he was hampered with injuries -- Kaman is averaging 22.6 points a game through the first five games of this season. That included 25 points in the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, the Clippers' first victory of the season after opening with four losses. The 7-foot Kaman, 27, also appears to be doing a better job of mixing his repertoire of shots, including left- and right-handed hook shots and fall-away jump shots. So what accounts for the ..."
Turnovers have been a problem for Clippers
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November 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"Turn, turn, turn. That is, as in turning the ball over. One consistent thread through the Clippers' first five games has been inconsistent ballhandling. They've had 88 turnovers in those five games, four of them losses, an alarming average of 17.6 turnovers a game. There was a season high of 21 against Dallas on Saturday and a low of 11 at Utah on Friday, although there were other assorted issues in the loss to the Jazz, which featured a fourth-quarter collapse. The same problem surfaced in the lone Clippers' victory, a 93-90 win against the Timberwolves on Monday at Staples Center. The Clippers' 20 turnovers -- including five by point guard Baron Davis -- helped the Timberwolves erase ..."
Al Jefferson's 24 not enough for Timberwolves as Clippers get first win
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November 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Kurt Rambis was an assistant coach, assistant general manager and head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers for 10 years, all at Staples Center. But when he showed up here Monday, he couldn't find his locker room. "I did have to ask somebody where the visiting locker room was," he said. "I didn't know where it was." Yes, it's a new world for the Timberwolves' new coach, who helped lead finely tuned, star-studded Lakers teams to four NBA Finals and two championships. Now he's trying to rebuild a franchise that was never all that built to begin with. The Timberwolves showed considerable life Monday, and often looked good, but in the end they became the Los Angeles Clippers' first victim of the ..."
Kurt Rambis has Phil Jackson's demeanor, if not his players
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November 3
Los Angeles Times
 
"You could ask any of the literally dozens of Clippers fans who are left (owner Donald T. Sterling, Penny Marshall, Jimmy Goldstein plus entourages) . . . they don't make can't-miss young teams the way they used to. With this one having missed four times in the first six days of the season, Clipper Nation, however depopulated, was heartened to see its team win a game. Or maybe Kurt Rambis' young Minnesota Timberwolves lost it. In any case, the Clippers have a 1 under W in the standings, where there used to be a 0. Remember Rambis Youth, his horn rim glasses-wearing fans in the Forum? These were Rambis' Youths, whom the Clippers were expected to beat soundly but escaped by a score of 93-90 . ..."
Clippers put this 1 in the win column, beat Minnesota, 93-90
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November 3
Los Angeles Times
 
"Finally, a winning finish. It may have been a wavering one against a non-playoff team playing its second game in two nights, but the Clippers managed to stagger across the finish line into the win column with a 93-90 victory against Minnesota on Monday at Staples Center. Easy? Of course not. Would you expect anything else the way things have gone for the Clippers this last week or year(s)? They were up by 13 points against the Timberwolves early in the third quarter and let the lead shrivel and watched it eventually disappear by the opening seconds of the fourth, but they hung on. What stopped the bleeding, among other things, was the continued excellence of center Chris Kaman, who was 10 ..."
Clippers go 0 for 4
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November 2
L.A. Daily News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki and his teammates were intent on not letting it happen again. Nowitzki had 24 points and nine rebounds, leading the Mavericks to a 93-84 victory Saturday night and handing the Clippers their fourth straight loss to start the season. Last year, the Clippers started out 0-6 before beating Dallas at Staples Center. "The Clippers are a much better team than their record reflects," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "We were in this exact situation last year - they were winless, but they got us and it sent us into a bad stretch. Tonight we were able to make the plays down the stretch to get it done." The Mavericks, coming off a victory over the NBA champion Lakers on Friday, could ..."
Clippers' Smith and Telfair look forward to seeing old friends
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November 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"The list includes Blake Griffin, Brian Skinner and Marcus Camby. All victims of Clippers teammate Craig "Rhino" Smith, and all injured during training camp. Now, perhaps, is the time to add an opponent to the list. Smith, jokingly, had a former teammate in mind with tonight's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. None other than Big Al. As in Al Jefferson. "I told him I'm going to take him down," Smith said, laughing, at practice Sunday. "He sent me a text like a while ago, saying, 'You all better double-team me if you guard me.' "I told him, 'OK, you make sure that you've got some help because I'm going to blow right past you.' " The Clippers, 0-4, and minus injured rookie Griffin, ..."
Kareem Rush gets chance to contribute
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November 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"Kobe Bryant was front and center in the Clippers' locker room on Saturday night before their game against the Dallas Mavericks. Not literally, but you get the idea. The Clippers were watching the tape of the Mavericks' victory over the Lakers on Friday and a frustrated-looking Bryant loomed large. At the same time, new Clipper Kareem Rush was reminiscing about his former teammate, telling stories about Bryant's legendary work habits, including arriving at the gym at 6 a.m. His duties as a Lakers rookie once included taking care of Bryant's laundry, and staying out of his way as much as possible. Now about the present . . . "I just want to get in and contribute," Rush said. "If given the ..."
Clippers waste efforts of Chris Kaman
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November 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"Dirk and Friends barely hit the pause button. The Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki completed their two-night sweep through Staples Center, picking apart the Lakers via pick and roll and then bookending it with a 93-84 victory over the Clippers on Saturday night. No Halloween jokes are necessary here. The Clippers' early record speaks for itself, and they failed to score in the final 4:42 of the game. They are 0-4 and two losses from matching their woeful start of last season. They are the only team in the NBA with four losses. (The Knicks and Nets are both 0-3, which drives home the point that some pretty miserable basketball is being played in the New York metro area and not-so-great hoops is ..."
Unlike season opener, Jazz get big fourth quarter for win
Comment
October 31
The Deseret News
 
"It ended with a late-game highlight-reel dunk by Ronnie Price that put a big, fat exclamation mark on the first win of the 2009-10 season. And the Utah Jazz's home-opener began with a pregame meet-and-greet with the Miller family and Jazz brass at entry ways, a stirring rendition of the national anthem by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a Haka dance by powerful-looking Polynesian performers and fireworks. What happened between all that hoopla and the eventual 111-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, however, caught most in the sold-out EnergySolutions Arena by surprise. The Jazz, who were playing with Mehmet Okur (ankle, knee), Kyle Korver (knee) and C.J. Miles (thumb) in dressy duds, ..."
Millsap in tune
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October 31
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"They pulled out all the stops for the Jazz's home opener Friday, with the full 360-member Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the national anthem, but it was Paul Millsap who proved to be a one-man saving grace in their 111-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Millsap scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, a memorable run that started with an acrobatic three-point play to close the third quarter and ended with Deron Williams barking in his ear after Millsap crossed over Chris Kaman and hit a foul-line jumper with 3:23 left. "It felt great," said Millsap, who hit 9 of 12 shots, grabbed nine rebounds and outscored the Clippers' bench 23-16 on his own. "We had a great effort from ..."
A bad quarter denies Clippers a chance for change
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October 31
Los Angeles Times
 
"One quarter from ending a streak flirting with ignominy. Twelve minutes from getting their first win in Utah since 2003, so long ago that in those days, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan were barely starting to think about where they might go to college. After three quarters Friday night, the Clippers were ready and seemingly poised to win a game at EnergySolutions Arena, after having lost 12 straight in Salt Lake City, and 35 of 36. Then they played the fourth quarter. "I don't think it was a letdown. I think they just kicked our butts. They just beast-ed us," Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said. And the Clippers (0-3) turned into beasts of burden. The Jazz opened the fourth with a 10-0 run ..."
History on Jazz's side
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October 30
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"From a historical standpoint at least, the Jazz couldn't have asked for a more favorable opponent in tonight's home opener than the Los Angeles Clippers, losers of 34 of 35 games all-time at EnergySolutions Arena. That .971 winning percentage has to offer comfort to the Jazz as they look to regroup after Wednesday's loss to Denver and avoid their first 0-2 start since dropping games at New Orleans and Atlanta to open the 2002-03 season. "I'm always confident when we go home, period," Deron Williams said. "We're a good home team, and coming off a tough loss like this, we're going to be ready to go. "Despite a team's record, it's a big game for us. You don't want to start a season off ..."
Clippers focus on free throws
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October 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"Almost, without fail, Eric Gordon would wander over to the same basket after practice and start shooting free throws. It happened to be the basket closest to the exercise machines and weights in the back of the Clippers' training facility in Playa Vista and a few feet away from where Coach Mike Dunleavy usually conducts his post-practice media session. Gordon camped out elsewhere Thursday. Coincidence, perhaps? Or was it something to do with Gordon, a seasoned free-throw shooter who shot 85% from the line last season, suddenly going cold. Gordon, who went three for seven from the line in the Clippers' two-point loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, was hardly the only chilled Clipper. ..."
Suns rally to win over Clippers
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October 29
Arizona Republic
 
"The fun-and-gun Suns did not run but they won. The Suns didn't score at the pace they used to hit the 140-point mark twice last season against the Clippers. But they still ruined the Clippers' home opener when Steve Nash scored the last two of his 15 fourth-quarter points with a twisting, winning, left-handed drive in the Suns' 109-107 opening victory. "I went to the old White guy YMCA shot," Nash said of his left-handed finish. "I was lucky to make something happen." Nash had told Suns coach Alvin Gentry in the preceding huddle that he might have to drive because he did not want to get stuck on the perimeter against Baron Davis. Nash scored 13 of the Suns' final 18 points, saying that ..."
Blake Griffin has empathy from his brother on the rehab process
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October 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"The person perhaps best able to understand Blake Griffin's frustration at being sidelined up to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap is another player in NBA. That would also be his older brother. "I think he's at the point now where he's realizing that he has to deal with it and move on," Phoenix Suns rookie forward Taylor Griffin said before the game against the Clippers on Wednesday at Staples Center. "Of course, he was pretty down the first few days. It stinks, but it's an occupational hazard." Taylor arrived in town in time to grab lunch with Blake and their mom, Gail. The Clippers gave Gail Griffin a specially created jersey, combining the elements of the ..."
Clippers can't finish it
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October 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"Calling this a must-win game -- after all, it is the Clippers' second of a long-and-winding NBA schedule -- either suggests an incredible loss of perspective or close examination of last season's 0-6 start. Let's go with loss of perspective. Seriously, though, the Clippers needed a win, a psychological boost after a tumultuous few days to steady their often-fragile equilibrium. Failing to build on the promising moments from their season opener against the Lakers, the Clippers blew a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead one night later as the Phoenix Suns rallied for a 109-107 victory on Wednesday night at Staples Center. It turned into a riveting battle down the stretch, essentially featuring ..."
A ringing debut as Lakers beat Clips
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October 28
Orange County Register
 
"As should happen on great teams, misfortune presented opportunity, which turned into accomplishment. Lamar Odom (16 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, two steals) and Andrew Bynum (26 points, 13 rebounds) got more minutes and therefore more moments as a result of Pau Gasol having to rest his strained right hamstring, and the Lakers held off the Clippers, 99-92, in the regular-season opener at Staples Center. It was the ninth consecutive time the Lakers have beaten their intracity rivals, who weren't helped by Baron Davis (two points on 1-of-10 shooting) being out of sync after missing recent practices with a bruised right foot."