LA Clippers fall to NBA champ Warriors yet still have potential for a great season- October 2017
The LA Clippers were off to a great start leading the western conference with a 4-1 record coming into the game vs. the NBA champion Golden St Warriors at the Staples Center. The game was close until late in the first half when the visitors took control. It ended up a big blow out by 28 points for Golden State as well as their 11 straight win vs the Clippers. The Warriors shot 58% from the field and where led by Steph Curry with 31 points. The rest was a balance attack with Kevin Durant adding 19, with Klay Thompson 15 points, Dramond Green 16 points and Javale McGee with 10 while many other bench players chipped in. The final score was 141-113. The Clippers were lead by Dino Gallinari with 19, Lou Williams with 17, Blake Griffin with 16, Patrick Beverly with 14, and DeAndre Jordan with 10. Their reserves were badly outscored by the visitors.
The team has a new make up with NBA star Chris Paul traded to Houston as he wanted out. Blake Griffin is the new team leader with DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers and Wesley Pearson the lone mainstays. Newcomers are Dino Gallinari at small forward even though he is 6’10 as he provides long range shooting, scoring and experience. The following players were obtained from Houston for Paul: Defensive specialist point guard Patrick Beverley, 6th man scorer Lou Williams (replaces Jamal Crawford), small forward Sam Decker and power forward Montrel Harrell. The team signed free agents Willy Reed (backup center) and European point guard sensation Milos Teodosic. Milos recently hurt his foot and is out indefinitely so the team is in need of another guard to stay competitive in the tough Western Conference. One great option is former Clipper Erick Bledsoe, who’s having issues with the Suns team and is not on their active roster.
The Clippers are still working on their chemistry and learning to play together with many new players. In the mean time Rockets guard Chis Paul has been injured since the fist game of the season and hasn’t returned. The season is early but this team is definitely still a playoff contender. Doc Rivers said after the game that the team didn’t play well. “They didn’t trust their pass and their spacing was poor. Against Golden St., you have to attack back as they are too good otherwise. Their defense doesn’t get enough credit. Tonight, they got all the loose balls and they are so unselfish on offense. They doubled Blake and they just outplayed us. Tonight was not our night.”
More info upcoming schedule and tickets at www.laclippers.com