Clippers Fail Again

The Houston Rockets pulled off a great comeback, finishing it today with a game seven win at home. They were down 3-1 in the series and trailed by 19 late in game six, but were able to turn it all around with the help of role players. Josh Smith and Corey Brewer led the way in game six and were instrumental in the game seven victory.
One part of the story is the unlikely turnaround by the Rockets, and the other is the collapse of the Los Angeles Clippers. They blew a 3-1 series lead. The team, many would say, have underachieved in the playoffs once again. Last year the team should have won game five against the Thunder, if it wasn't for an epic late game collapse. I'm not sure who to blame for this. Everyone always says that you can't blame Chris Paul for not reaching the conference finals yet. I don't know what else one would say. Once again Paul put up great numbers throughout the playoffs and in this series, but there was something missing. People used to always be very quick to blame LeBron James for failing to win big series. They would say that despite the numbers he was not clutch, and could never win a championship. Now, saying he was not clutch wasn't fair, but giving him the blame was. James should have taken the responsibility, as he did, for the many losses early in his career. As a superstar, franchise player and future hall of famer, that was the expectation. To be able to carry his team, when he had the opportunity, past tough opponents in late playoff rounds.
The same applies to Chris Paul when talking about the conference finals. He has not been able to reach the round yet. I am not saying his game to game play has been poor, certainly not statistically, but he lacks a certain ability to carry his team to victories. Let me preface what I'm saying. If a LeBron James led team, whether it be the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers, was leading a series three games to one, and then was up by 19 late in a game six, and went on to lose the series, would we not say that LeBron chocked? I know I would have said LeBron should have finished it off. Especially in the game six. Superstars should be able to will their team to win, whether it is scoring themselves or creating chances for others.
Blake Griffin must take some of the blame too, because this is his team as well. He was statistically very good these playoffs, I think he has been the second best player thus far behind Stephen Curry. At the end of game six he was a non-factor, and game seven he played well, but was not that aggressive. Los Angeles has a lot to figure out this offseason, with Deandre Jordan being their biggest priority. I'm not sure that there is a big need for change on this team at the top, but the supporting cast could use some work. Austin Rivers showed some great promise during the playoffs, but the rest of the bench is not too good. Matt Barnes could be replaced as the starter. His three point shot is just not consistent enough for someone who almost only shoots perimeter shots. The Clippers should look to sign or trade for a more dynamic wing player.
Perhaps Chris Paul will simply be one of these all time greats who never wins a championship. I think the Clippers will still have plenty of opportunities in the coming years, but the pressure will only rise.

It's Time for James Harden to Step Up

For all the people who wanted to see James Harden win this years MVP award, tonight is the night he needs to prove he deserved it. With an almost must win game tonight in Los Angeles, the burden falls on Harden to tie up the series at two games a piece. Harden has to step up the scoring that made him such a tough player to handle throughout the regular season. Harden has been doing a great job of getting everyone else involved this series, but it might take one of those 40 point efforts from him tonight, if Houston wants to get back in this series.
With Chris Paul back in the lineup for the Clippers, life does not get any easier for the Rockets. One thing that has been really tough for Houston has been the point guard play. Jason Terry has done a great job of knocking down threes, but Harden does most of the play-making on offense, like he has much of the season. The big issue is defense. Without Patrick Beverley, Houston does not have a point guard capable of playing lock down defense for stretches. Terry is almost a liability on that end of the court.
I'm not sure that the Rockets can win game four if Harden does not go off. I think too much Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will be enough to beat Houston tonight.

Best Series of the First Round Continues Tonight

Tonight two sub-par series resume, and a series worth watching every minute continues. In San Antonio the Spurs and Clippers will battle for control of the series, after splitting the first two games in Los Angeles. The Athleticism of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan was too much for the rusty Spurs on Sunday night, but come Wednesday the Spurs put on a vintage road performance led by their future hall of fame power forward Tim Duncan. Duncan scored 28 points including clutch baskets in overtime helping San Antonio tie the series. Clippers star Blake Griffin was tremendous once again posting a triple double, but made a few errors down the stretch including a turnover late in regulation that led to the game tying free throws. Tonight's game is important for the Clippers, because they have yet to prove themselves as road warriors when it comes to the playoffs. We all know the Spurs can win a game 7 on the road, we've seen it before. Game 2 was bigger for the Clippers, because it gave home court advantage to San Antonio. If the Clippers go down 2-1 with a game four on the road, I don't love their chances in the series. Now, that does not mean they can't do it. This Clippers team is very good, but their stars have yet to prove it on the biggest stage, against the biggest opponent, a team that has dominated the better part of the past 15 years. Everyone has been talking about how bad the Clippers bench is, besides Jamaal Crawford. I think the bigger issue for the Clippers is that Tony Parker has been awful. Parker is questionable tonight, but if he starts to play anywhere near 100% look out Clipper fans. I think this series is headed for a game 7, but it is way closer to becoming a comfortable series win for the Spurs than it is for the Clippers. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul cannot afford any sort of set back on the road, they must continue their elite play if they want to give their team a chance.

Clippers Playoff Hopes

The Los Angeles Clippers have been playing very well of late, thanks in large part to point guard Chris Paul. Paul has led a team missing one of its best players, Blake Griffin, to an impressive record. The team is currently number one in offensive efficiency, and clicking on all cylinders. I still do not trust this team come playoff time. Even if Griffin is healthy I don't think this team is tough enough on the defensive end, and I believe they do not match up well against the best teams in the west (Golden State, Memphis, and San Antonio). We will see come April, but right now I see this team as a first round exit squad, maybe second round.