This team is killing me. Just when you think they have it together, they go out on the road and lose two games that they needed. I could forgive the Toronto game because the Raptors were extremely hot shooters that afternoon. But this game was unexcusable. There is no way that this team should have lost to the Knicks. They play a good first half with a lot of energy. They made pretty good decisions with the ball and seemed to be on their way to a victory. Then they come out in the third quarter and totally forget about what got them the lead in the first place. They were settling for way too many outside jumpers. They were not sharing the ball at all. There were way too many quick shots. It seemed like their guards...Cassell, Mobley, and Maggette came out and wanted to get theirs. All of them were jacking up outside shots and seemed to be unwilling to give the ball up to their teammates.
People complain about Kaman not doing a good job. The problem is, when he does have it going, the team does not give him enough shot opportunities. He had fourteen points tonight and he only had 7 shot attempts. He was having a very efficient offensive game...especially by his standards so far this year. Instead of the team coming out and going to him more in the second half, the guards settle for outside shots. I would much rather have Brand or Kaman working inside and kicking it back out for open outside jumpers, then Mobley dribbling for the whole shot clock and launching a shot from outside.
I really don't think it's that hard to see. This is were a leader like Cassell needs to demand that the ball go inside. Dumbleavy needs to sit guys down if they aren't following the game plan. Brand had 19 shots tonight...he should have had 25. Kaman had 7...he should have had 12 at least. If the big guys are having a good night, get them the damn ball. The Clippers are build on the inside out game...but some of the players have a hard time following that. Doug Christie may have had a bad shooting night at 1 for 5, but at least he played pretty smart. He got his shots with the inside out game. He was willing to be patient and get his shots from the offense, instead of the other guards trying to make their own offense.
I really don't get this team this season. I still think something needs to be done to shake things up. The trade deadline is a little more than two weeks away...I'm hoping that the Clippers are open to making a move. Right now they have the talent; the problem is the talent isn't meshing and the game plan isn't being followed.