Per Rocketman95 "Go Suns" You are entitled to your opinion, but I support Sam and Cuttino-they can win this series
R2D2, Here's the key stretch of when the Clippers lost the lead. I'll mark the key plays. You be the judge of TEMPO or LACK OF EXPERIENCE BY THE YOUNGER PLAYERS. I also marked when Sam did his best to keep the team in it. Livingston Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) 9:32 [LAC 99-97] 9:21 Jones Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) [PHX 99-99] Assist: Diaw (4 AST) Brand Reverse Layup: Missed 9:03 Brand Rebound (Off:4 Def:4) 9:03 Brand Turnover: Traveling (1 TO) 9:03 9:03 Marion Substitution replaced by Nash Radmanovic Foul: Shooting (3 PF) 8:45 (8:45) Timeout: Official Mobley Substitution replaced by Ross 8:45 Radmanovic Substitution replaced by Cassell 8:45 8:45 Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS) [PHX 100-99] 8:45 Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS) [PHX 101-99] Brand Dunk Shot: Made (38 PTS) 8:33 Assist: Livingston (8 AST) [LAC 101-101] 8:19 Nash Layup Shot: Missed Livingston Rebound (Off: Def:5) 8:18 Maggette Turnover: Traveling (2 TO) 8:07 8:07 Jones Substitution replaced by Marion Team Violation: Delay of Game 8:07 7:52 Diaw Driving Layup: Made (17 PTS) [PHX 103-101] Livingston Jump Shot: Missed 7:29 7:27 Diaw Rebound (Off: Def:2) Brand Foul: Personal (2 PF) 7:15 Brand Substitution replaced by Kaman 7:15 7:01 Diaw Jump Bank: Made (19 PTS) [PHX 105-101] Kaman Foul: Offensive (3 PF) 6:49 Kaman Turnover: Foul (4 TO) 6:49 Livingston Foul: Personal (2 PF) 6:32 6:32 Marion Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS) [PHX 106-101] 6:32 Marion Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS) [PHX 107-101] 6:20 Nash Foul: Personal (2 PF) Livingston Driving Layup: Made (10 PTS) 6:17 Assist: Maggette ( [LAC 103-107] 6:01 Barbosa Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) [PHX 110-103] Assist: Nash (11 AST) Ross Jump Shot: Missed 5:45 5:43 Marion Rebound (Off:1 Def:14) 5:35 Nash Jump Shot: Made (24 PTS) [PHX 112-103] Team Timeout: Regular 5:34 Ross Substitution replaced by Brand 5:34 5:21 Nash Foul: Personal (3 PF) 5:17 Bell Foul: Shooting (2 PF) Maggette Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS) 5:17 [LAC 104-112] Maggette Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS) 5:17 [LAC 105-112] 4:53 Bell Driving Layup: Made (19 PTS) [PHX 114-105] Livingston Turnover: Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal: Diaw (2 ST) 4:32 4:16 Bell Jump Shot: Made (22 PTS) [PHX 117-105] Assist: Barbosa (4 AST) Cassell Layup Shot: Missed 3:56 3:54 Diaw Rebound (Off: Def:3) 3:46 Barbosa Jump Shot: Missed 3:43 Diaw Rebound (Off:1 Def:3) 3:39 Barbosa Jump Shot: Missed Kaman Rebound (Off:1 Def:6) 3:36 Team Timeout: Short 3:35 3:35 Team Timeout: Regular Kaman Substitution replaced by Radmanovic 3:35 3:19 Barbosa Foul: Personal (4 PF) Cassell Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS) 3:19 [LAC 106-117] Cassell Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS) 3:19 [LAC 107-117] 2:56 Nash Jump Shot: Made (27 PTS) [PHX 120-107] Cassell Driving Layup: Made (22 PTS) 2:37 [LAC 109-120] 2:37 Marion Foul: Shooting (4 PF) Cassell Free Throw 1 of 1 (23 PTS) 2:37 [LAC 110-120] 2:22 Marion Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS) [PHX 122-110] Assist: Nash (12 AST) Cassell Jump Shot: Made (26 PTS) 2:10 Assist: Livingston (9 AST [LAC 113-122] 1:52 Barbosa Layup Shot: Missed Block: Brand (4 BLK) Livingston Rebound (Off: Def:6) 1:50 Cassell Driving Layup: Made (28 PTS) 1:45 [LAC 115-122] 1:28 Barbosa Foul: Offensive (5 PF) 1:28 Barbosa Turnover: Foul (2 TO) Team Timeout: Regular 1:28 Livingston Turnover: Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal: Marion (1 ST) 1:18 1:00 Nash Driving Layup: Made (29 PTS) [PHX 124-115] Radmanovic Foul: Shooting (4 PF) 1:00 1:00 Nash Free Throw 1 of 1 missed Maggette Rebound (Off: Def:5) 0:58 Cassell Jump Shot: Missed 0:53 Brand Rebound (Off:5 Def:4) 0:51 Maggette Jump Shot: Missed 0:43 Cassell Rebound (Off:2 Def:2) 0:41 Radmanovic Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) 0:36 Assist: Cassell (4 AST) [LAC 118-124] Cassell Foul: Personal (4 PF) 0:27 0:27 Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (30 PTS) [PHX 125-118] 0:27 Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (31 PTS) [PHX 126-118] Team Timeout: Regular 0:27 Brand Turnaround Jump: Made (40 PTS) 0:23 [LAC 120-126] Cassell Foul: Personal (5 PF) 0:22 0:22 Marion Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS) [PHX 127-120] 0:22 Marion Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS) [PHX 128-120] Maggette Jump Shot: Missed Block: Diaw (1 BLK) 0:15 0:13 Diaw Rebound (Off:1 Def:4) 0:12 Barbosa Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) [PHX 130-120] Assist: Diaw (5 AST) Maggette Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS) 0:05 [LAC 123-130] End of 4th Quarter
Why would Rocketman95 support Sam and Cuttino? Not like they were great Rocket players. I mean, the Suns have all of those great Ex Rockets and the Suns aren't even an arch rival of the Rockets even though the Rockets had epic playoff series against them. if Rocketman95 is considered a real Rockets fan, then we should rename this site, Fakefans.net
I think a lot of fans on this site came along with the Barkley trade but still follow the Suns. I came with Chuck. Don't get me wrong though, I'm pulling for the Clippers. I like to see Cuttino do well.
tinman, read my lips (or at least plain English): If the Clippers don't get back on defense, THEY WILL LOSE! BAHAHAHAHAHA!
Controlling tempo is easier said than done. You have to be able to stop the opponent's tempo as well as setting your own tempo. The Clippers were not able to prevent the Suns from gunning like they wanted. IMO, the Clippers didn't lose because of the tempo. They did go inside and Brand was killing the Suns. If only Mobley could hit a few more shots, they would be in the position to get a win. It was a close game until the end.
Isn't part of the strength of the Suns' up and down high-tempo game that other teams can't keep it up for a full game? And eventually, when the opponent has that inevitable 5 minute lull, the Suns can score in bunches? The Suns' tempo isn't designed to blow people out - it's designed to keep the pressure on at all times. And that's what happened - the Clippers had a few minutes where they had to rest some guys and simply couldn't keep up, and that was all the Suns needed.
Pi**ed me off that the Clips let this one slip through their fingers, I still expect the Clips to take this series in 7 but you have to give the Suns credit for getting to the second round without Thomas and Amare.
Thanks Easy for watching the the game. Apparently you and I are the only people who saw the game and saw Charles try to break the underwater breath record. If you guys who DIDNT WATCH THE GAME look at the play by play breakdown I wrote to 3Po, u can easily conclude that it wasnt the easy status quo "TEMPO" excuse. having the wrong people in crunch time take shots or making plays was the key. Livingston CAN NOT TURN THE BALL OVER against the Suns. Magette CANNOT TRAVEL on a breakaway dunk. Brand CANNOT SIT in the 4th. I blame you DUNLEAVY! Wasting a heroic effort by Sam.
Doug Collins agreed with you. He pointed out that Mobley was sitting on the bench a long time and said, "Even though he hasn't shot well tonight, he has a lot of experience." You would think they would learn from teh series against the Nuggz that the team seems to falter when they sit Sam and Cat.
if the Clips lost by "tempo" it would have looked like the drubbing the lakers got in game 7. This game was close to the wire. this is good series. I'm glad to see the rest of the nation gets to see how awesome SAM is. He was having a so-so game, then 4th quarter, he just took over.
Magic Johnson just said on TNT that the Clippers are better than the Lakers! hahah take that Laker boys!
This is the stat that surprises me, point in the paint 48/42 for the Suns. This is with Brand scoring 40 points. Dribble penetration and the odd alley-oop were the cause of this. Regarding the Suns 3 pointers, during the season they averaged 10 per game on 40% shooting. To have 12 3-pointers a night is not unknown to them. I don't know if any of you are familiar with this blog, but the author breaks down the Suns/Clippers series and even breaks down each of 3 pointers. http://clipperblog.com/
That's fascinating. Makes me wonder how teams would have stopped Yao and T-mac running the P/R with Mike James, Wesley, and Padge floating around the perimeter. Yao, Tracy and 3 shooters. Sometimes basketball is just this easy.
there's Laker Boys??? on these hallowed Clutch city boards??? tinman, you better get your old buddy Vernon to punch them the hell out
another nice article about sam: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/05/09/cassell/index.html Sudden Sam Cassell still quick to fill in the blanks after 13 seasons Posted: Wednesday May 10, 2006 11:10AM; Updated: Wednesday May 10, 2006 3:11PM Here he comes, all herky-jerky and head faking, going 100 miles per hour. But Clippers guard Sam Cassell isn't on the basketball court. He's trying to break my ankles ... on a telephone call. We're talking about his pending free agency, and Sam I Am is on a roll. "Three years? Nawww. Two is enough. That would be 15 years in my career. That's enough. I want to play at a high level, man. I don't want to be on the bench just collecting a check. I want to be in the lineup. To sit on the bench and collect a check, that's not me. "I feel better in my 30s than I ever did in my 20s, when I was living that hard lifestyle. Back then a lot of days I felt awful in practice. I'd still perform in the games, but I felt awful at practice. Now I feel better than I ever have because I take care of my body. "I know I can do this for two more years at a high level. Put it this way: If a team says, 'We'll pay you the money but we will not start you; we want you to come off the bench,' ... I guarantee you there won't be more than two guys [coming off the bench] on other teams who end up averaging more points and assists. "There might not be one!" Whoa, doesn't this guy ever slow down? My ears are burning and my fingers are flying on the laptop keyboard. Don't get Cassell wrong. His main priority right now is taking care of Steve Nash and the Suns. But he also knows his impending free agency has become something of a hot story in La La Land, and he wants to set the record straight on a few matters. "If I could stay [with the Clippers], that would be my choice," he says. "But everything has to be right. They have to be fair with their offer." By "fair," Cassell explains that he means "market value." (Right now it's too early to say what the market will bear, but educated guesses put the price tag at somewhere between $6 million and $8 million. Cassell is making $6.1 million this season.) Cassell also says he's willing to sign a two-year deal. This is good news for the Clippers, who might be reluctant to go out much further for a 36-year-old, even one coming off a season in which he averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists in 34.0 minutes while playing in 78 games. But if he were a GM, would he be willing to invest $15 million over two years on a guy old enough to have once played with Earl Cureton? "If he's still got it. If he's still got it, I would. Yep," Cassell says. "I'm doing things that guys 22, 23, 24 can't do. So that should answer your question right there. You're not paying me for being 36 or 37. You're paying me for what I can do right now. And I'm still able to do it. "I'm still getting double-teamed on the pick-and-roll, aren't I?" Cassell indeed has remained a very effective player. Plus, his game is not as dependent on athleticism as other point guards. He still kills as much with guile and cunning as he does with that mid-range jumper. That's why as many as a dozen teams -- including the Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets, T'wolves and Mavs -- are said to be interested in his services. Moreover, Cassell is a leader. He's the one who gets the ball to the right player at the right time. He's the one who calms the team down when things are going haywire. He's the one who speaks up in the huddle when the coach can't say another word. It's hard to believe the Clippers would risk losing him, even with Shaun Livingston waiting in the wings. Cassell, incidentally, seems to understand that the Clippers or any new team might want him at some point to give up his starting role. While he did not address Livingston specifically, he says he would be willing to come off the bench in the right situation. "It all depends on who's in front of me," Cassell says. "It's got to be a bona fide star. I'm not coming off the bench for some ordinary point guard. It's got to be an All-Star type or somebody of that caliber. "But I can be very effective [in that role]. I guarantee you that if the starter goes out, the lead won't go down. It might go up. It's a luxury any coach in the league would like to have, to put a reserve in there who can run a team and do all the things that I can do." Look for Cassell to remain with the Clippers when all is said and done. Since most teams are over the salary cap, they can only offer free agents a deal starting at the mid-level exception (around $5.1 million). As one Western Conference GM who wished to remain anonymous noted Monday, "the Clippers are really in the driver's seat." But Cassell has some options if the Clippers don't make him what he thinks is a fair offer. He could try to force a sign-and-trade. He could also take the mid-level someplace else and leave the Clippers with nothing. Cassell clearly hopes it doesn't come to that. Not that he's spending much time thinking about it. Despite having just burned up some precious cell minutes, he says his sole focus these days is on dropping dimes on the Suns. "I'm a Clipper right now. I put all that [other] stuff aside," he says. "I'm a professional, man. I don't worry about it. I don't need that to motivate me. My motivation is to win games, to lead this team. I know what I bring to the club. I'm here to make 'em a winner. That's all I'm focusing on right now. Just playing basketball. Everything else will take care of itself." So there you have it, Clippers fans. Sam I Am isn't worried about it. You shouldn't be, either. Can I rest my fingers now?
