The Clippers lost a very tough and close game tonight. They played terribly for most of the game and if the Warriors were able to make more shots this game would have been a blowout. The Clippers turned it over too many times, allowed too many offensive rebounds and had a mostly stagnant offense. Each Clipper that played more than a couple minutes tonight had some problems with his game, which is reflective of what they have done throughout the entire series.
Chris Paul: He had one of his worst games tonight. He did not shoot well, did not run the offense well, and did not lead the Clippers down the stretch like a true superstar is supposed to. He missed a layup during crunch time that could have significantly altered the outcome. The Clippers needed him to have more assists tonight because their offense looked lost. Paul might be hurt, but in game 7 he needs to play like he wants to win a championship, if the Clippers want any to chance to compete for one.
Blake Griffin- Two of the three games the Clippers have lost this series have been really close and it is not likely a coincidence that Blake Griffin has been in foul trouble in both of them. Griffin has consistently been in foul trouble in this series and that has hurt the Clippers a lot. Griffin had a bad shooting night, but in the fourth quarter found his rhythm. If Blake can stay out of foul trouble then the Clippers will have a superstar they can rely on at the end of games.
Deandre Jordan-Jordan started off very aggressively on defense picking up a few blocks in the first quarter. After that he looked to be getting lazy. The Warriors kept driving to the basket and if Jordan would go to try to block it they would find the teammate that was driving to the basket for an easy layup. Jordan kept falling for the same trap and did not get any help from his teammates. Most importantly, he needs to start making his free throws. Jordan was just 3-9 from the free throw line and missed some important free throws. If the Clippers want to win it all, Jordan has to make some free throws especially at the end of games.
Jamal Crawford-He made a few amazing shots, some purely out of luck. His defense is improved as well, but he takes a lot of tough shots when there is no reason to. Crawford takes a lot of long distance shots when he has no teammate to get a rebound even if there is time left on the shot clock. What I do not like more than anything is when Crawford or anyone else has the ball at the end of a quarter. Almost every time they just continue dribbling the ball until there is barely any time left. Crawford keeps the ball close to midcourt and doesnt begin a drive until there is only 3 or 4 seconds left. That is too late to pass the ball, fake any shot, or get anywhere close to the basket before time runs out. Yes he still makes an outside shot once in a while at the buzzer, but if he began his drive with 8 or 9 seconds left he would more likely have an easier shot, be able to pass the ball to an open teammate, or even give his team a chance for an offensive rebound and quick put back.
JJ Redick- Redick was in foul trouble this game and eventually fouled out towards the end. He did not shoot well and despite making a couple tough shots did not do enough offensively to help the Clippers win. Redick makes some nice plays on offense, but so many times he and other wing players just sit around the three point line for entire 24 second possessions without even moving. If the Clippers keep moving they will get more open shots and have an easier time scoring the basketball.
Glen Davis-He is very slow and has not proved to anyone they he can play good defense or get rebounds. When he was in the Warriors were getting offensive rebounds at ease and his biggest contribution to helping the Clippers in this game was probably bumping into Jermaine O'neal, likely knocking him out for the rest of the series. Davis has not had many shooting opportunities so he needs to play defense and get the rebounds whenever he is on the court.
Matt Barnes-He played pretty well and made some very tough shots including at the very end of the game. He is playing with a hurt toe so he impressed with his defense. However, he was not good on the switch on defense if he ended up having to guard Stephen curry. Also, like I mentioned with Jj redick, Barnes stands around the 3 point line way too much for entire offensive possessions. there was one play when barnes actually cut to the basket and got a pass from jamal Crawford, which resulted in an easy layup for barnes. when he is aggressive good things happen.
Darren Collison- He played pretty well tonight after a slow start. When he is aggressive he does good things, especially on offense. He can also improve on his ball handling skills and running the offense when he is in charge of the point.
Danny Granger-Has he scored a single point in this series? Granger is proving to be a terrible mid-season pick up by the Clippers. His playing time is getting lower and lower as he is playing worse and worse. He has not shown to play good defense and his offense this entire series has been absent. The Clippers expected him to be a key player off the bench and he has failed miserably. I think it is possible he does not even make an appearance in game 7.
So the Clippers have one chance to prove to themselves and the league that the deserve to make it to the next round. If they do not pull it off, then maybe it is better off that they have everyone become free agents.
