Speaker 1: What is going on Clipper fans. It is Clips and
Dip the podcast. I am William Updyke, joined by Adam Oslin.
No Charles Mockler today, but we're gonna try to try
to soldier on. How you doing today, Adam.
Speaker 2: I'm good, Clippers made three straight. You came on postgame
last night a little Clips and Double Dip on Clippers
stock as we discussed their twenty nine point victory over
the Brooklyn Nets. So two days off now then a
game against the Lakers finally this season. I'm excited.
Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah, As you alluded to, we did talk a
little bit about that three game win streak, so we're
not gonna we're not gonna go into that too much
on today's episode. Make sure to check out Adam's episode
if you want to see more on the if you've
somehow missed this three game win streak, which you know
is possible, but you got to You gotta come out
from under the rocks sometimes. But a takeaway from that
is definitely how good Kawhi Leonard has looked. So we're
gonna lead things off, so we're talking about that, then
we're gonna get into Clippers taken on the Lakers after
the long break that Adam mentioned today is pretty long
time for the Clippers. And then we're going to wrap
up with some other stuff, talk about some potential front
court help that has been sort of loosely linked to
the Clippers. We'll also talk about Charles Barkley quote, who
thinks Clippers should have not one, but two All Stars.
Let's lead in talking a little bit about Kawhi. We
didn't super dig into him when we talked about this
three game win streak last night. Where are you at
with Kawhi? What have you seen so far? And how
do you where would you assess that he's at if
you were to give it a percentage right now of
like what we know Kawhi to be.
Speaker 2: Well after the game against Brooklyn. We're granted they won
by fifty nine, so a lot of these points weren't
necessarily consequential, But that's not even what I'm looking for
with Kawhi, or what he's looking for apparently is not
necessarily about his scoring. It's about his sad Yeah, and
I thought he was moving so well out there in
that game, where I basically said postgame, I feel like
he can be the same version of himself that he
was last season before the swelling, and that is huge.
That's exactly what we've talked about as the hypothetical for
if the Clippers get that version of Kawhi Leonard, they
can be a contender again in the Western Conference if
he's healthy in a seven game series against anyone, as
long as that version of him is still in there,
and I think it is with the jumpers, the mid
range we saw against Brooklyn. The only thing we haven't
gotten from him so far is a dunk. But I've
never been that worried about his leaping ability because he's
a left legged leaper and all the injuries have happened
to his right leg.
Speaker 1: So that's a very good point.
Speaker 2: I think he's good, Like I'm super encouraged right now,
and he will have had three days off, uh since
that game and then Sunday against the Lakers, and he
was about twenty five minutes last game. His minutes increased.
That was good to see. I don't know if that
pretends anything for the Lakers game going up even more
might be about the same twenty five minutes. But I
think I think he's ahead of schedule from where I
thought he could be four games in.
Speaker 1: For me, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I would agree with you
having that. Having that minute restriction up to twenty five minutes,
I think is really significant. You know, the biggest thing
I felt like the lingering complaint from you know, fans
and the wider, the wider sort of sphere was Kawhi
not into close games, which obviously that's what you want
to see. So that that minute increase is so significant.
What what have you thought about some of the small
ball lineups with because that's a style of basketball we
haven't gotten to see as much. Yeah.
Speaker 2: I'm always a fan of small ball when Kawhi is
healthy because he's such a good defender on the back line,
and when they have Batum and him out there. That
to me, it depends on the matchup, but that can
be a recipe for success in limited minutes. I don't
want to see it for an entire quarter or anything
like that, but I think three four or five minutes
here and there, you can create a little bit of
a death lineup out there where you have a ton
of shooting and then versatility on the defensive end. I
know it gets a bad rap sometimes, but I think
for the most part, people have been bullish on the
backup small ball lineups. With the small ball lineups with
Kawhi Leonard and some backups like Niko Batom, that it
gives them enough of an ability to be able to
have enough size out there, have enough defense out there,
and obviously it uses up the offense to an extent
as we wait to see if will Updyke can get
back in here. He started the stream and so it's
a little bit awkward. Okay, he's coming back of what
second here? But yeah, I I love abast the Zoo bosses.
Everybody knows here. I am pro big Zoo. I'm also
aware that he's not going to play forty eight minutes
per game. And I think the small ball lineups, considering
what the Clippers have to work with right now with
their backup bigs, are more serviceable, are better options than
with how Mobamba's look this season and going there, or
with how Kai Jones has looked this season. I'd rather
just go small ball. Now. You can say it can
be problematic because Kawhi Leonard is guarding up more. Does
that put more of a toll on his right knee.
I don't think there's anything conclusive on that because he's
gotten hurt playing small forward. All these people that are saying, oh, no,
playing power forward contributes to his injuries, like, well, wait,
he towards acl playing small forward. He did his meniscus
playing small forward. I think he just obviously guys, he's
injury prone and his right knee is an issue, and
it's really not about the position. It's more about how
many miles he's running per game and just his style
of defense. Kawhi Leonard is somebody that I think he
only knows one way to play on that end, and
that's what makes him so great. I also think it
works against his body unfortunately, but I don't know if
there's a way for him to turn it off. I
think he has certain defensive instincts out there that take
over to where for better or for worse. And while
it's going to help you on the court with him
flying around like that, eventually could it lead to an injury.
I think that's partial reason the overall wear and tear
that he puts on his body because of how good
of a defender he is. That is one of the
reasons that Kawhi Leonard has not been able to stay healthy.
Is will Updike his back on now.
Speaker 1: So sorry about that. Was not expecting that, was not
expecting the delivery, thought it would be much later after
we could wrap this up. But you know what, much
like Kawhi Leonard ahead a schedule. So what more can
you ask for? What more can you really ask for?
Did you talk about your favor about your favorite hypothetical
lineup or let's start here. Uh, where do you see
once the minutes restriction is lifted? What do you see
as the most likely closing lineup?
Speaker 2: Ooh, well, I hope a viatsa Zubots is still in there.
I'm sure they will close small sometimes that they're down
in a ball game and they're trying to, you know,
load up on the offensive side to catch up, they
might go small.
Speaker 1: Why not make too a part of that though?
Speaker 2: Yeah, I because they're not gonna get it to him anyways.
She's gonna be a complete decoy. I agree with you. You're right.
They should just get him involved on the offensive end more,
even when they have their best offensive players out there.
Vita Zubas should be part of that party. But let's
say it's a tight ball game. Because last season Viats
Zubas did close out much more than he had in
the past. So I'm gonna say Viats Zubas at the five.
I'll go in the opposite direction, I'll say Kawhi Leonard,
and this is my ideal closing lineup, So Zue Kawhi,
James Harden, Norman Pale. So we're really talking about the
replacement for Paul George and who that should be. Hm.
I think it it could be matchup dependent, just like
with these two guys when it comes to starting right now,
but I think it's Chris Dunn d DJ and I
think most of the time I'd go with Derek Jones Junior,
So I'd just be the starting lineup for me, honestly.
But Nico Batum is the other I.
Speaker 1: Was gonna I was gonna say the only I agree
with you, it's it's basically there's kind of one spot
that's interchangeable unless you end up going small small without
Zoo and a Nico to me is maybe the most
interesting one. I'm not saying that it should happen, but
I can definitely see within the flow of a game,
how how it could happen. Yeah, Like I wouldn't close
the door on that completely.
Speaker 2: I think there's honestly gonna be times or people are
gonna have a revelation come the playoffs that, oh, we
could just start Niko Batoum at the four against certain teams,
Like there's your answer at power forward. Nico hasn't played
heavy minutes during the regular season, and now we can
start him in a playoff series at the four, and
that's how you get Kawhi to the three. I think
that's a real option.
Speaker 1: And why would you like that over Derek Jones Junior
just because of the more assured shooting and better passing.
Speaker 2: Or yeah, just I mean he's a better connector overall,
veteran savvy and he can I think he can guard
up a little bit better than Derek Jones Junior. Not
that he's back, but I mean we've seen Batoom give
Jokic some issues here and there, like he can. His
defense is so good. He's so tall, he's so long
because he's six ' nine. I mean, Derek Jones Junior
has that lift, so it makes it seem like he's
taller than six to five, but he's six five. I
think Nico just gives you a bigger body. I think
that's a real I think that's a real option come
to playoffs.
Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, I like that. I'm not mad at that
at all. All right, do you have any closing thoughts
on Kawhi before we move on to this to what
could be very impactful for the standings matchup against the Lakers.
Speaker 2: No, I'm good with it. I made my piece, all right.
Speaker 1: For those of you listening, there will be a brief
audio break. For those of you watching over at YouTube
dot com slash at Clippers podcast, there is no break,
but anyways, we'll count out for our audio listeners. Ads
coming up in three two one.
Speaker 2: Welcome back in It's Clips and Dip episode forty one,
season three. I'm out of Mosland. No chef Mockler, but
we got big will Updyke. We also did some double
dip last night on Clippers Talk after the victory over
the Brooklyn Nets. They made it three straight wins where
they also held each team under one hundred points. But
now they have two days off. In their first game
for the Battle of Los Angeles this season against the
Los Angeles Lakers, and the first time since I think
nineteen ninety nine that they're not playing each other in
a shared building. It's not a Whollway Series anymore. The
Lakers are a true road team. The Clippers are a
true home team at into a dome for this one,
which I think adds another wrinkle to it. And it's
kind of exciting. First time in twenty five years.
Speaker 1: It's kind of appalling that it's taken this long end
of the season.
Speaker 2: I don't get it. That's the weirdest thing to me.
I can't remember the last time. This may be the
longest it's ever taken.
Speaker 1: They're in the Sea, it's gotta be up there.
Speaker 2: Yeah, So this is exciting, and as you alluded to
there with the t's, this has major playoff implications, I think,
because first of all, the Clippers just need a victory
against the Western Conference team because their record against the
West is not very good, and that's what tie breakers
come down to, if you tie the head to head matchup,
like they did against Denver this season. Also, it's the Lakers.
It's the first time you're seeing them. They have a
game against Brooklyn tonight. Of course they get the Clippers
sloppy seconds after the Clippers beat them by fifty nine.
Of course, I think Brooklyn's going to play more of
their guys liked Angelo Russell tonight, who might have a
revenge game in them, hopefully against the Lakers. But it
just feels like man because of the build up and
waiting for this. This is a huge game on Sunday,
Will Yeah.
Speaker 1: I mean, I couldn't agree more. These teams are neck
and neck in the standings, Clippers with two more wins,
but it's only you know, it's only one game separating
these these two and I mean Lakers are likely to
close the gap with that game against the Nets coming up.
It's interesting looking at these two teams because it kind
of a yang and yang going on. I mean, the
the the Lakers are an above average offense pretty like
a below average defense, and Clippers are on the opposite
side of the spectrum. It's so interesting to me this.
You know, the pieces have moved in and out, but
the core of this Lakers thing, like when they won
that championship, the identity has gone, you know, it just
in the complete opposite directions since then, to obviously very
mixed results. But I'm curious, Adam, what you think about
the battle for two point range in this one and
if the Clippers can get it going from hot the
Lakers don't take a lot of threes. They are twenty
seventh in the league in attempts and they are twenty
twentieth in the league in percentage. So if the Clippers
get off to a tear, we see it a kind
of hot start quarter. I mean, is that enough to
kind of put this one away?
Speaker 2: Well, it feels like as of late, the Clippers haven't
been as good from three as well. They're four Oh,
I agree, yeah, so they're fourteenth on the season from
three at thirty six and a half percent. I think
this Lakers team is so unpredictable because I would say
the Clippers have overachieved so far this season only having
four games from Kawhi, and the Lakers have slightly underachieved
because they have had Anthony Davis and Lebron James a
lot and just more consistency but with healthy players, but
inconsistency on the court because they started off the season
like really hot offensively, really bad defensively. Then their defense
got better, but their offense got worse. Now it's back
to their offense is better. Last ten games. They're eighth offensively,
but they're twenty eighth defensively. They're very up and down
and unpredictable with what you're gonna get night tonight. And
they've also had issues with just breaking like you get
you get on top of the Lakers and they will
just almost quit. That's what it's felt like at times
with this team. I think Lakers fans would agree with that.
But they just had a game where they battled back
against the Miami Heat down twelve and a half. So
have they rided the ship. I like the move for
bringing Dorian Finney Smith. I think that's solid for them,
but they still have the overall problem when you talk
about the identity of this team with the Lakers and
what's gone wrong. To me, it's too many one dimensional
players that are good on one end of the court
but bat on the other. Like they haven't figured out. Oh,
the Boston Celtics are so good because they all play
defense and they all shoot, they don't have a ton
of laws.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't.
Speaker 2: I don't know what you're getting from this Lakers team
and on a night to night basis. So yeah, the
Clippers at least, you know, for the most part this season,
they're gonna be great on one end on the defensive end.
Offensively maybe not, but defensively that seems to show up
every night. And as for the Lakers, I don't know
what they're doing on either end of the floor.
Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, very unpredictable team sort of Yeah, it's difficult there.
How do you think the size sort of mismatched bodes
for the Lakers because they get some They got some
bigger boys over there.
Speaker 2: This is true, Anthony Davis. I feel like the Clippers
have done a pretty decent job against him. There was
a game last season where I felt like Zoo outplayed
him straight up. The Lakers beat him by I think
one point, but Zoo was really good and I had
like a twenty twenty type of game against him. If
you know, they won what the first eleven games of
the tylu Era against the Lakers until last season when
the Lakers won the season series three games to one.
So there was so much domination going on by the
Clippers for a while, it was like we almost didn't
have to worry about the Lakers and what they could
do against the Clippers. They've had I think Lebron has
shot either his lowest field goal percentage against the Clippers
over the last five years, or at least like one
of his lowest field goal percentages against any team, and
obviously they play each other a lot, so Tyleru has
been good game planning against them. But then last season
it felt like the Lakers were just trying to build
a team that could beat the Clippers and the hell
with the rest of the league. Were at least gonna
find ways to beat the Clippers again, and they did.
But yeah, I wonder because Jackson Hayes' is back and
has been playing, and then JJ Reddick said the other
day that they are going to play some big, big
lineups with him next to Anthony Davis. So you know,
Christian Woulds still not back yet, But do they try
that out tonight, see how it goes, and then run
it against the Clippers some where they have two bigs
in the ballgame. And we talked about the Clippers and
their tendency to play small. Is that gonna lead to
some interesting lineups out there?
Speaker 1: Yeah? I just don't know that that's the biggest advantage
against this Clippers team in some ways, And yes, they
have ways to mitigate size, but also if you just
go a little bit guard heavy, ken are those is
it that advantageous to have another huge lumbering guy out there,
and offensively, like with a team that doesn't really shoot
a lot of threes, what's the drawback? You know, like
how much is that going to hurt your hurt you
on the other end of the floor as well. One
thing I'm kind of curious your thoughts on this. We've
heard James Harden sort of talk about, you know, part
of the reason he hasn't taken a lot of time
off is he feels out of rhythm. You know, he
wants to stay in this rhythm. And we have seen
this team come out of breaks looking a little worse
than they went into them. With What are you expecting
from James Harden in this game? And is there is
there a chance that we're not gonna We're not gonna
see him clicking the way that we have at points
during this season.
Speaker 2: And that's a good point because when he had those
eight days off and we were like, yeah, he's gonna
be rejuvenated. This is awesome, And then he came back
against Denver and had nine turnovers and it looked like
it was rust. That's something I do worry about. But
I think just having Kawhi as we expected him to
be playing in that Lakers game will help him out.
It looked like it has overall. When Kawhi's out there
next to him, he's turning the ball over less. Kawhi
was bringing the ball up a ton against Brooklyn to
start off that game in the fifty nine point victory.
That alone can help alleviate the pressure of James having
to always, you know, initiate the offense, start fast, score,
but also distribute and get everybody else involved. It's just
too much at thirty five. So I hope that means
he'll be in a decent rhythm because it's not like
he can, you know, he has to start fast. He
can ease his way into games a little bit more
if Kauwhi is out there. I don't know what you think.
Speaker 1: Well, yeah, it's something I'm concerned about. But with Kawhi,
I mean, it's just interesting that we've had this multi
guard lineup and we're still talking about how there's there's
too much pressure on Harden to have the sort of
create and we talked about some of the issues with
the with the Lakers and the talent that they went
off of, and it's one of those things with our
guards that I feel like can also be a little
bit one dimensional, but like you said, Kawhi really is
the best sort of pressure valve for that issue. He's
the guy that you you know, want the ball in
his hands the most, so it makes the most sense
for him obviously to alleviate that. And I'm curious to
see like sort of what I mean, what the intensity
level of this is going to be like for for
both of these guys. I mean, the battle the battle
for la in the first time in like in the
new home. I mean, it's it's kind of interesting and
we you know, this Clippers team a rocky bit of
start to their time into it Dome, what was it,
four straight losses, which which wasn't great, but this one,
I'm so curious to see the vibe and energy for
this one and how it elevates both guys. And I
think that maybe the sort of it being a pressure
cooker is also a way to alleviate some of those
sort of some of the rust for hardened because I
think it's a little easier to lock in when the
when the lights are the brightest.
Speaker 2: Do you think the Clippers are going to feel more
pressure because the home team first time taking on the
Lakers at Into It Dome is probably going to be
the loudest has been in all season long.
Speaker 1: Everyone on the roster is going to say no, But
how could you not, like just like just as a
human being or like a worker or something. I don't know, like,
how how could you not? I'm sure that that question
is gonna come up at media availability, and I'm sure
everyone is going to say that it's just another game.
But in the back of your mind, how could you not?
How could you not be thinking about that?
Speaker 2: Because like, I don't want to hear from Lakers fans
beach you the first time in your new home, like
we own you at into It, don't.
Speaker 1: Own into it? They own into it now.
Speaker 2: I really can't have that. So yeah, I I hope,
uh James Harden, you know, because he's had games where
he looks the variance in performance with him game to
game has been you know, pretty wide this season the
spectrum of.
Speaker 1: How which is not like entirely new, you know, outside
of those MVP seasons. Like he is a high variance
guy and he has been a high variance guy in
the playoffs. And not to contradict myself when I said
he locks in with the lights of the brightest. I'm
saying he locks in. I'm not always saying he right,
like he outperforms what he can do. But yeah, he's
a variance guy.
Speaker 2: I feel like. So that means okay. So they lost
a game without him against the Lakers last season because
right after they made that trade, he was at that
Lakers game that was in overtime, but he wasn't playing yet.
He was in the locker room that Terrence Man picture
was taken. Everybody's like, oh, Terrence didn't want James Harden
here because he's taken playing time away from him. So
with James Harden, they went one and two against the
Lakers last season then because he wasn't available for the
first game and they played four. Like, I was trying
to think, what's his level of dominance against this or
what's his level or head to head record against this
particular Lakers team, because he's been really good against you
and the Denver Nuggets. He's like sixteen and seven or
something like that in his career and it's just a
different element dimension to this Clippers team. Now against the Lakers,
they have James Harden. What's his track record? How well
has he been playing. I believe overall he has struggled.
Last season, he did struggle against them. Their ball pressure
against James Harden was really good and that led to
two of those losses.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean that makes sense, and that's why it's
going to be so much more important for us to
get whatever percentage of Kawhi we can get in those
twenty five minutes, because really, I mean, if you're putting
the pressure on Harden and you're forcing the ball out
of his hands, it's a difficult offense already with him
in it. So when you remove that factor, like things
are going to stall out really really bad. And even
in that win last night, we saw we saw some
what three minute long plus stretches with no scoring at
which is always brutal to watch. So yeah, Kawhi's readiness
is gonna is gonna be hand in hand sort of
with I think, I think James's performance in this.
Speaker 2: Should we get to our player of the game, Oh
yes we should?
Speaker 1: All right, this is the uh, this is the Kawhi Leonard.
Speaker 2: What is it?
Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard, Norm Powell of Vitza Zubats James Harden.
Speaker 2: Uh.
Speaker 1: Sorry if I'm missing anyone, honorary player of the game. Basically,
it's named in honor of all these people because you
cannot choose them UH to be the player of the game.
Why we have backed ourselves into this corner. I have
no idea, but we continue to do it, Adam, since
I intro the segment, I guess you can go ahead
and go first. I'm probably gonna be mad.
Speaker 2: We have like six guys we get to choose from every.
Speaker 1: Ye oh yeah, and whoever gets to go first is
really in the best spot to look smart.
Speaker 2: Puts even more pressure on this pick. I gotta get
this one right, I got to, got to, got to
have it. I think I'm gonna go with Chris Dunn.
He got down a three pointer against UH against Yeah,
one of one, so he's turned things around. But I
don't know if he'll be starting or DJ. For switchability purposes,
it's you probably want DJ against Lebron. They don't want
to have to have Kawhi on him the entire time,
and just his fifth game back, DJ is bigger. The
ball pressure from Chris Dunn is better, and I think
he could be better against Austin Reeves, So I don't
know if he'll be starting or not, but I think
his defense is going to be key to the ball game.
And I also just want to see him hit a
couple of big threes, because sometimes when a guy is
in a funk like this, you get into a high
intense the game, and if you perform well in that game,
you can go on a streak afterwards. You can turn
the tide with some of your numbers, you can turn
things around.
Speaker 1: Absolutely like all, I feel like anybody is one heater
away from really being able to pull out of whatever
funk it is.
Speaker 2: And if shooting one last game from me, if that
doesn't do it, buddy, if that doesn't do it, I
don't know what to tell you. I need to see
the carry over into this Lakers game. I'm going Chris Dunn.
Speaker 1: I like it. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go out
of left field here, and I'm not saying they're gonna
be the best player in the game, but they are
my pick of the game, and I'm gonna go with
Terrence Man reason being one of the longest tenured Clippers.
I think if you're if you're looking at this from
a storyline perspective, he's got the most sort of the
most skin in the game, perhaps on this roster for
this matchup. I really like what we saw from him
last game against the Trailblazers. He just looked to me
a little bit more decisive, a little bit more confident
as he has since returning, does still look a little
tentative on the calf. I'm not gonna lie that was
concerning to watch at points in that in that Trailblazers game,
But he strikes me as a guy in this one, who,
you know, if things need a little bit of energy,
if things hit a loll with that second unit, He's
the guy that I'm looking to to to hopefully be
able to help kind of claw help kind of claw
out of that. And we know what a momentum guy
he can be. You know, sometimes when you know, when
there's been sort of a large swath without scoring a
Terrence three seems to ignite, you know, can ignite the
offense in a way that's in the crown in general,
you know, in a way that is definitely worth more
than three points. So I don't know Terrence man, as
I said, I don't expect him to necessarily stuff the
box score, but I do expect him to be sort
of an important point of point of energy when we
hit some of those lulls with this second unit.
Speaker 2: I like that team. Man has had a lot of
wins over the Lakers in his career as a Clippers.
Speaker 1: Something to it, there's something to it.
Speaker 2: He gets up for these games. So that's that's solid.
I like it. I was thinking about going with Man myself, all.
Speaker 1: Right, So that is gonna do it for a Lakers
Clippers preview coming up. We're gonna talk. We're just gonna
talk us some stuff all around the NBA. We'll talk
a little bit, as I mentioned up top about Charles
Barkley thinking there should be two All Stars for the Clippers,
and a couple of front court names that have been
mentioned that that could be potential trade targets. So all
that coming up in three two one.
Speaker 2: Welcome back in Clips and Dip. I'm back of Ozlin
Season three, episode forty one.
Speaker 1: Chuck Man. I forgot to mention that on top, Chuck
is gonna be furious.
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's gonna be upset. We're gonna see him in
the comments section say some wild stuff later, just spamming us,
you idiots. It's the one thing I asked for I've
out of Bosa. We got will Updyke. If you missed
it last second, we talked about a little Clippers Lakers
preview first of the season. But there's more going on
on the periphery right now with this Clippers team, maybe
than meets the I for one. Media members are actually
giving them some love, like Sir Charles of the TNT broadcast. Now,
if you're gonna say that's a jinx on this Clippers team,
maybe you're right.
Speaker 1: But he didn't declare them champions.
Speaker 2: No, that's true. He didn't get arountee they're gonna be champions.
But he made the case that two Clippers should be
All Stars this season. Two of the twelve Western Conference
All Stars should be Clippers with James Harden and Norman Powell.
How do you feel about that?
Speaker 1: Well, I mean, I love it. I feel like it's
gonna be. My concern with this is doesn't split the
vote like Norm Powell has sort of been in the
conversation all year, like with his scoring, can he crack
into that? And they talked about it actually a lot
on the broadcast last night, and how you know, unfortunately
fifty percent of the vote is the popular vote, the
fan vote, and I don't really see him making a
whole lot of headway there. But what Jim Jackson and
Brian Seman pointed out was that there is a coach vote,
which could be something that you know, people who are
the people who are a little bit more tuned in
might see him as a potential All Star, and I
do think that that is the most likely avenue for
him to get in there. As far as both of
these guys, I mean, it's just not going to happen.
I'm so sorry. Remember the first year of the first
year of two and three, we only got one. For
God's sakes, I mean, PG did miss I believe sixteen
games to start the season and then sprinkled throughout some
back to backs and stuff. But yeah, I don't see
it being two. If I have to choose one. That's
so it's really difficult for me because looking at Norm
and how important he's been to this team and how
important he is to the over achieving that that that
we've done thus far in the season without Kawhi Leonard
like heart. But on the other side, I'm beating myself
up here. Harden is the system. So it's kind of
it's it's really difficult for me, uh. Part of me though,
I think also just for just for the the underdog
of it all, would really like to see Norm Powell
get get an all get the All Star nod this
season in a Clippers uniform. So I don't think it's
possible to get to it. Seems difficult that we might
even get one. But if we're getting one, I I
gotta give Norm Powell. I think to go ahead.
Speaker 2: Yeah, my heart says Norm. I think my head says
James Harden.
Speaker 1: You're not wrong.
Speaker 2: In the two games without James, Norman has really struggled,
and it's not I don't think it's because it's a
small sample size or whatever. I think it's because James
Harden makes life easier for everyone else, something we have
known pro long time, and it's just more difficult without him.
I think they're more disrupted if he doesn't play than
if Norman Powell doesn't play. I think Norman Powell is
more dependent on James Harden than James Harden is, and
the Clippers are on Norman Powell. But I love Norman Palell.
He's just as deserving. I think it's really close, and
I would say this for the media members that came
into this season thinking the Clippers were going to be
a bottom four team in the Western Conference, and for
the fans who felt like that, maybe they should ask themselves, well,
bottom five, bottom six, Maybe they should ask themselves the question,
how are they doing this? How are the Clippers this
good so far this season? And then reward those players
who are most responsible for them currently being in the
five spot in the Western Conference and your.
Speaker 1: Areas, you're thinking multiple All stars.
Speaker 2: I mean, I don't think it's gonna happen, but I
think they are deserving. I think it beats a Zoobots
is deserving of some recognition.
Speaker 1: Yeah, you and I we talked about this. We talked
about this briefly last night. I believe, but like it
is like the third team all like all defensive. Is
that is that a possibility for Zoobots?
Speaker 2: No, I think that's a great point. Come my god.
He was so good against Portland in their night. Holy
the way he was just patrolling the paint. It was impressive,
Like he's been like this. But I was really keying
in on watching him because it just seemed like he
had a different attitude and energy because all the Clippers
did with the way they were focused in to start
that second half. But yeah, I think that's a great
point that it beats at Zoobots. You know, he's definitely
not gonna be an All Star. Can he make an
All defense team? I think I think he has a
clear cut case. And Coach Lee was talking about this
before the season. That was a goal from a Visa Zubas, right,
so they tried to get some momentum started with that campaign.
I hope people haven't forgotten because he's a huge reason
why they are the third best defense right now in
the NBA.
Speaker 1: Again well, and I would think that that would be
taken into account too, Like you know, this team as
this has always been, not always at various iterations since
the two and three era, been a good defense, been
a top five defense before. But I don't think they've
ever been this highly ranked. I don't think they've been
on this level. And Visa Zubots is an integral part
of that. So I would think, you know, again that
the informed voters who you know, I'm going to give
them their flowers. I know how intelligent they are. That's
why they're going to vote for a Visa spots for
an all defensive team. But speaking of centers, everyone is
aware of the issue at backup center for the Clippers.
It's something we talk about seemingly every year. But a
couple of names have been mentioned sort of linked to
the Clippers as some front court help, including Chris Bouchet
and Robert Williams the third. I'm curious your thoughts on
either one of these guys, and I'll just throw another
name in there, what about Valenciunas the If the asking
price is two seconds, which we've heard, would you get
in the mix for that? Do any of these do
anything for you as a backup center?
Speaker 2: Well, first of all, I have to be a little
bit self serving, because I was upset with this report
earlier today and all the attention it garnered because I
had RTT Siegal from Clutch Points on like ten days
ago on Clippers Talk and he brought up those two
exact names, Robert Williams and Chris Bouchet, and nobody cared.
And now today he says it and everybody's like, oh wow,
this is crazy new information. I'm like ten days ago
he said it. So anyways, it depends because the way
he phrased the tweet was making everyone believe that Terrence
Man would have to be included. And I don't know
if I do Terrence Man for either of those players.
If Robert Williams could stay healthy, yes, but he can't,
and he's twenty seven and has played less than two
hundred and fifty games in his career. Chris Busche is
a good player, but he's an unrestricted free agent after
this season, so he could easily be a rental. And
you're giving up Terrence Man and the three years remaining
on his contract after this season. That are pretty team
friendly for a guy who's thirty two and is likely
a rental when you don't even know if Kawai can
stay healthy. I don't love that. Now, Yon's Valanciunas who
brought up if they could get him for cheap, I'm
good with that. He does have some downsides, like he's
not great in the pick and roll. People think, oh,
he's this physical, you know, great defensive guy. He's not, in.
Speaker 1: Particular mind a lot of injuries.
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's older too, but it's just because he's cooked
the Clippers so many times and had his career high
against them with seven three pointers that everybody's like, well,
you gotta get yonas valance shooters. Now I would. I
would definitely love to have him for the right price.
And if it's two seconds, or if it's PJ and
Bones Island in a second or something, I don't know,
but yeah, I'd be interested. Let's say you uh.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean I think of the three that, like
don Shooters is the one I'm the most interested in.
But again, it's just for the nostalgia factor. It's just
for he's had some very good audition games against against
the Clippers, much to our own detriment. And I echo
your points. I mean, Bouche I think is interesting. It's
definitely an upgrade over Bomba. It's it's just what the
asking price is going to be. And no, I I
that to me is not a trade that you give
up an asset for Williams. I liked the idea of
him as a backup on this team for kind of
a while now ever since he's been out of Boston,
it just the availability is just too much of an issue.
It's just you know that, I don't know how you
even have a conversation about adding him to your team
without that being you know, a major deciding factor because
he's not on the floor a lot. And and for
all Mobama's deficiencies, which there are some, it's it's still
better to have that than nothing on the floor. I
would say.
Speaker 2: Yeah, Robert Williams to me projects as a starting level
center if he could just stay healthy. Heah that good
of a rim protector and rim runner. He is a
great modern day prototypical archetype of what you want from
a center position. He just can't stay healthy. And he's
kind of one.
Speaker 1: Of those what ifs to me. You know, he is
one of those what if players.
Speaker 2: If you could get him for cheap because of his
injury history and because he has an extra year on
his deal after this season, and maybe Portland would just
want to get out of that and you get him PJ. Tucker,
something else to get him. Sure, if you're not giving
up much. But if the question is Terrence Man, I
don't think I can do that just because you can't
stay healthy.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree, I agree? All right, before we get
out of here. After this Lakers game, the Clippers have
a back to back. The Lakers game is the start
of a four and five. Yeah, what what's your give?
Me your quick prediction over the four and five. What
are the Clippers going in those four games?
Speaker 2: So I was begging for them to win the last
two games. After I saw the reschedule and that four
and five, I'm like, Okay, now you have to win
the next two. They did in dramatic fashion and devastating
fashion for the opponent. H I think two and two,
I think just go too and two split him, find
a way.
Speaker 1: But I need with the emphasis being on the with
the emphasis being a win over that Lakers team.
Speaker 2: Yeah, because it's so big for the The other three
games are against Eastern Conference teams. Yeah, this game is
not just a rivalry game. You need to win against
the Western Conference. You need to win against a team
that's close to you in the standings. It's just huge.
It's not just you know, bragging rights from fans on
the line. This could be you know, you're playing three
more times after this, of course, but you got to
win this season series against the Lakers, like you really do.
That would put you in a great position to be
a top four seed in the West.
Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah, I mean it's hugely impactful. If things went
their absolute worst and they went one of three you know,
I could even stomach it a little bit if the
one win was a Western Conference win into a Dome,
not Lakers even aside, like if this was even another
Western Conference team before, you know, before taking on three
Eastern teams, I would prefer that win. I'm feeling I'm
agreeing with you, though. I think two and two. I
think two and two is very very possible, very very likely,
and if you're adding the Western Conference win as a
feather in your cap and still just getting through those games,
getting through this part of the season, so we get
into this All Star break and we can kind of
come out and come out charge, and I'm happy with that.
That being said, is there anything else you want to
say before before we get out of here.
Speaker 2: It's kind of ridiculous that the Clippers got an extra
back to back and the Lakers had one taken away.
They had a back to back taken away, the Clippers
had one added to my knowledge. That's what I just
I can't believe that.
Speaker 1: So what is the total now back to back is seventeen?
Speaker 2: Yeah, Clippers are at seventeen. They already eleven teams had
sixteen back to backs, including the Clippers coming into the season,
So it wasn't like, okay, I'll ten other teams have it,
but now they have the most I think unless Washington
had one added because they were one of the teams
that was already at sixteen. But you know, obviously it's
more consequential and punitive for the Clippers because they have
a superstar who's not going to be playing one end
of the back to back every time. So they got
this four and five and you already know coll I'm
not playing more than two of these games coming up.
Speaker 1: Absolutely, yeah, absolutely, we're going to have you close things
out with one thing positive. But first, just want to
let everybody know, let your friends know, let your family know.
If you want to support this show, if you want
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But you know, we appreciate you however you interact with
the show. But before we get out of here, Adam,
leave the folks with something positive.
Speaker 2: It looks like the Clippers have stepped on the gas
again after they had that lull, losing four or five
in over a six game stretch. They were twentieth defensive
well over the last three games, the best defense in
the league by thirteen points per one hundred possessions.
Speaker 1: Now, which is very real. There's no way you can
assail those numbers.
Speaker 2: I get it Portland Brooklyn, but hey, they're taking on
a lot of other teams and they're not beating them
by fifty nine points like the Clippers in Brooklyn the
other night. Now the Lakers win by sixty to nine
over Brooklyn. Now it sucks, but it just seems like
this Clippers team said we have to refocus, we have
to reset a little bit here, get back to basics,
which is something we were talking about a lot on here,
and they have and then some and maybe are peaking
coming into this game against the Lakers where they're gonna
have Kawhi for it looks like at least twenty five minutes.
So therefore there's a way to manage that to have
him in the fourth quarter some, I think some, so.
Speaker 1: I agree, five extra minutes is a big deal.
Speaker 2: Yeah, so Sunday big game and the Clippers are primed
for this one.
Speaker 1: It feels like, hell yeah, great note to end on
uh yeah, we'll catch you next time. Probably all three
of us to Arts will be together, and who knows,
depending on how things go Sunday, we might have a
little live stream for you. I'm thinking, I'm thinking the
move is probably gonna be right. But anyways, thank you
so much. It's been another episode of clips and dip.
Let's go, Clippers.