I was actually about to point that out while I was reading this thread. Cassell is probably my favorite player and I've followed him throughout his career. But he just wasn't playing well and he was killed offensively and defensively. He missed the offball picks all game and his passes were late all game as well. When the game's on the line, he was having trouble getting a momentum buildling shot and the Suns double fade killed him from getting control. Basically, spacing was horrible at the strong side of the ball and the tempo is horrific for the Clippers to play against the Suns. That said, it never seemed like the Clippers were in the game much. Down double digits late in the 4th, no 3 point attempts were taken as the ball never got to the shooters on time. I'm sorry, but Sam has to take responsibility to hold down the tempo against a scoring team with bad defense. Defensively, Nash was getting penetration whenever he wanted and dishing it out. Only 1 of the 4 3s made by Nash was even mildly contested. It's as if Sam was stepping back asking Nash to take the shot. If it's, let's say, Tim Duncan heaving a desperation 3 while you're down 6 in OT, then you step back and try to secure a rebound, but this is Steve Nash. His 11 assists were mostly done on ball penetration, and the ball was moving fluidly for them all game. He was able to get Marion involved early and often and that's basically game right there. Cassell simply got outplayed by his counterpart and that's one of the more showing reasons (albeit many of them) in why the LA lost again in 7.
Nash showed why he was the MVP once more, that's why the Suns won...he owned Cassell, which saddens me to no end. Sam I Am definitely looked 36 last night, and Nash is not far behind him (he has probably a couple of good years left, if even that). Both guys are not very athletic, lengthy, or any kind of standout physical specimen, but they're damn smart and they've made a living in a league full of superathletes with pure smarts and guts. That's why I can't help but root for both guys.
Cat did not play well. Reminds me of the old cat we used to hate, jack up bad shots when he should pass.
Is it me or does it seem like the writer is just trying to make crap up? In fact, that sounds exactly what he did. Mobley doesn't mention anyones name. Thread title could be changed too.
Blaming the loss on Cat is pretty weak. I think the loss goes to Dunleavy for the defense he put out there. How can you let them shoot so many wide open threes? 15-27 from downtown is what lost the ballgame, and that comes from throwing half-assed traps at Nash all game long. There is not one player on PHX that demands a double team, they should have played straight man and there is no way PHX shoots 60% from the field. Poor gameplanning.
How is anyone blaming Cat for this loss. He shot only 10 shots total and made 4 of them. If he would have hit 1 more he would have been 50 percent of the game. The problem is that none of them wanted to play defense and their rotations were horrible. Cat and Ross were the only ones that were running at the shooters at all and few were hitting the boards.
Maggette really did not look good in this series. I was surprised Dunleavy kept him out there so much. To me the best 6 player that the Clippers should have had on the floor for the most minutes were Brand, Cassell, Ross, Radman, Cat, and Livingston, with Cat and Radman splitting minutes and the other 4 playing the most primarily. Dunleavy kept running Kamen and Maggette out there and they were ineffective.
And coach Dunleavy looked like a deer in a headlight. To say he got outcoached in this series will be a gross understatement.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clipsunsrep23may23,1,4163417.story?coll=la-headlines-sports From the Los Angeles Times CLIPPERS REPORT Defeat Leaves Mobley Miffed By Jason Reid Times Staff Writer May 23, 2006 PHOENIX — Swingman Cuttino Mobley seemed to imply that some of his teammates could have done more in Game 7 on Monday night. "It all comes down to who's going to sacrifice," Mobley said. "That's what it's all about. One word: sacrifice." When asked to explain what he meant, Mobley appeared frustrated, pausing several times to compose himself. "I'm not trying to start anything," he said. "But we shouldn't even be here. We should have won this series. But everybody has to be willing to sacrifice. That's all I'm saying." Point guard Sam Cassell had performed well in Game 7s throughout his career, but he had an off night against the Suns, scoring 11 points (he missed seven of 11 shots) with six assists. Cassell was 5-1 in his previous Game 7s while averaging 18.8 points, 6.8 assists and shooting 50.9% from the field and 97.2% at the free-throw line. The Clippers dropped to 0-2 in Game 7s in franchise history but still had "a great year," Cassell said. "When I said in October that we'd have a good team, you all [reporters] looked at me like I was crazy," he said. "But the great thing about it is that if management does the right thing and brings everybody back, we're going to be in this situation next year too." The 13-year veteran, who can become a free agent after the season, reaffirmed he wants to return. "I want to come back, and I know for sure Mike Dunleavy wants me back, so that's up to [owner] Donald Sterling," Cassell said. "He's the guy who signs the checks."
Tinman- Maybe I'm completely missing something, but I still don't see where Mobley is blaming Kaman for the loss.
Although I really wanted the Clips to win it all, I think it could be a blessing in disguise for us. It wouldn't have been so bad that they lost so badly but the fact that there's apparently division in the team could push Cassell into our hands. Livingston looked really solid so who knows if they're going to pull a Sterling and let Cassell walk.
I did watch the game, and the one or two layups that Cat missed were not the problem (especially since Elton got the o-reb on at least one). Letting the Suns shoot 60% from the field and over 50% from beyond the arc was the problem. The Clippers offense was fine, and Cat shooting 4-10 for 10 points was fine too.
the writer suggested it in the 1st post: http://www.latimes.com/sports/baske...orts-nba-clippe Said Cuttino Mobley: "It all comes down to who's going to sacrifice. I'm not going to start nothing, but you've got to sacrifice." Mobley was probably talking about an inside Clippers presence — read Chris Kaman — that did not outrebound the smaller Suns and that produced only eight second-chance points. Elton Brand heard the quote but refused to point fingers. "I'm not going to belittle my teammates," Brand said. "But I will say there is no excuse for the defense that we played." Kaman heard the quote, and shrugged. "I didn't feel that way, I felt we all worked hard tonight," he said. "We just didn't get it done."
Yes, I watched the game and the reason they loss was because no one was playing defense. You don't beat a team that is shooting 60 percent against you including 3's regardless of some missed layups. The defense sucked and clips didn't leave it all on the court and I think that is what Cat was complaining about.
I blame Cuttino for blaming his teammates....and for his lousy play.Kaman was playing injured and even if he wasn't,there's no excuse for the lack of class exhibited by the Cat.He wasn't trying to motivate anyone.The series is over and he needs to stop whining like the unprofessional B!tch he is.
Cuttino stunk it up this series, he should have at least mentioned that he stunk it up. he had 1 good game, the game where he was posting up marion. magette and ross outplayed cuttino. magette was grabbing tons of boards and ross played much better D.
Cat didnt' do much in this series. Now he needs to just shut up. Kaman is going to get paid by somebody next year. Decent centers are hard to find in this league. The Suns were just a better team than the Clippers.
