Kevin Pelton: Blazers now favored over Clippers without Chris Paul?

[Charcoal Filtered]

They are putting the Clippers as 2 point favorites for the game tomorrow.

 

[Boob-No-More]

And as he's no Chis Paul, he has had a strong series.

PER = 8.9 == Strong Series????

Did you watch the game last night? Rivers was 1-7 from the field and 0-3 from 3-point range.

Doc was right, there isn't anyone in the league that can replace Chris Paul, certainly not his son. Nepotism will only get you so far in life.

BNM

 

[Strenuus]

They are putting the Clippers as 2 point favorites for the game tomorrow.

Sounds about right.

 

[Natebishop3]

They are putting the Clippers as 2 point favorites for the game tomorrow.

It was 4 points this morning. People are betting the shit out of that.

 

[theprunetang]

PER = 8.9 == Strong Series????

Did you watch the game last night? Rivers was 1-7 from the field and 0-3 from 3-point range.

Doc was right, there isn't anyone in the league that can replace Chris Paul, certainly not his son. Nepotism will only get you so far in life.

BNM

This is all correct, and I have loved to hate on Mini Rivers (can we call him Creek, or Stream or something), but his defense has been surprisingly good in this series. Ugh. I hate having to say that.

 

[oldmangrouch]

A better fan would say without Lillard Portland would still be the favorite.

It's funny because it's true.

 

[Boob-No-More]

This is all correct, and I have loved to hate on Mini Rivers (can we call him Creek, or Stream or something), but his defense has been surprisingly good in this series. Ugh. I hate having to say that.

The problem with starting Rivers at the point is the lack of distribution. He's not really very good at running an offense and creating shots for his teammates. His AST% for this series is 10.9, and that's not a small sample size aberration. For the regular season, his AST% was 10.6. Just to put that in perspective, Meyers Leonard also had an AST% of 10.6 and two guys the Clippers gave away, Lance Stevenson and Josh Smith (yes, THAT Josh Smith) were at AST% = 13.1 and 14.3.

This is where the potential loss of Blake Griffin has a bigger than expected impact. Yes, if they lose Blake, they lose his scoring and rebounding, but they also lose his underrated passing ability. His AST% of 27.3 was the second highest on the team, by a wide margin, during the regular season. With Paul out, they lose the best distributor in the league. If they also lose Blake, they really don't have anyone else that can create for others. Prigioni can run an offense, but at almost 39-years old, that's pretty much all he can do. He's basically an older, slower Steve Blake with a cute accent and no 3-point shot.

BNM

 

[Strenuus]

The problem with starting Rivers at the point is the lack of distribution. He's not really very good at running an offense and creating shots for his teammates. His AST% for this series is 10.9, and that's not a small sample size aberration. For the regular season, his AST% was 10.6. Just to put that in perspective, Meyers Leonard also had an AST% of 10.6 and two guys the Clippers gave away, Lance Stevenson and Josh Smith (yes, THAT Josh Smith) were at AST% = 13.1 and 14.3.

This is where the potential loss of Blake Griffin has a bigger than expected impact. Yes, if they lose Blake, they lose his scoring and rebounding, but they also lose his underrated passing ability. His AST% of 27.3 was the second highest on the team, by a wide margin, during the regular season. With Paul out, they lose the best distributor in the league. If they also lose Blake, they really don't have anyone else that can create for others. Prigioni can run an offense, but at almost 39-years old, that's pretty much all he can do. He's basically an older, slower Steve Blake with a cute accent and no 3-point shot.

BNM

Aren't Blake's numbers skewed though since he missed a good portion of the season?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Aren't Blake's numbers skewed though since he missed a good portion of the season?

Not really. He played in 35 games, which is a fairly significant sample size and he also had a AST% of 26.2 in 67 games last season. He doesn't just score in their offense, he's their secondary distributor.

BNM

 

[Strenuus]

Not really. He played in 35 games, which is a fairly significant sample size and he also had a AST% of 26.2 in 67 games last season. He doesn't just score in their offense, he's their secondary distributor.

BNM

It is, but it's hard to compare stats to someone who played 60+ games to someone who played less than half a season... at least, to take them at face value..

 

[Boob-No-More]

It is, but it's hard to compare stats to someone who played 60+ games to someone who played less than half a season... at least, to take them at face value..

Like I said, his AST% last year was 26.2 in 67 games. His 27.3 in 35 games this year were not an anomaly. He is a good passer and their secondary distributor.

BNM

 

[BigGameDamian]

The good is the road just got a lot easier for the Blazers. The bad is (Should they make it to the 2nd round) more people are going to be on the "Let the cake bake" bandwagon. Then again, it will be good for the younger guys to get more experience in the deeper rounds of the playoffs.

 

[Strenuus]

The good is the road just got a lot easier for the Blazers. The bad is (Should they make it to the 2nd round) more people are going to be on the "Let the cake bake" bandwagon. Then again, it will be good for the younger guys to get more experience in the deeper rounds of the playoffs.

No, it'll still be the same offseason. Sorry to burst your bubble hoping.

 

[BigGameDamian]

No, it'll still be the same offseason. Sorry to burst your bubble hoping.

Aright. We will see.

 

[Boob-No-More]

The bad is (Should they make it to the 2nd round) more people are going to be on the "Let the cake bake" bandwagon.

Mmmmmmmm, cake...

BNM

 

[BBert]

Agreed. Any win is a great win in the Playoffs, but I thought we kinda played like hot garbage last night. We won because our mediocre players (Aminu/Crabbe) actually made their shots, and their good, but streaky players (Crawford/JJ) missed their shots. Even after CP3 went down we couldn't seem to step on their throats until late in the 4th were a couple shots finally expanded the lead to double-digits and gave us the breathing room to win comfortably.

I have to agree with this analysis.

Far from being a foregone conclusion, the Blazers must play BETTER to seal the deal.

I think they will.

 

[LuckyShot]

The bad is (Should they make it to the 2nd round) more people are going to be on the "Let the cake bake" bandwagon.

I don't think anyone in the front office is going to be swayed either way by anything that happens during these playoffs. I think they already have a plan A, B, and C regardless of how the playoffs pan out. We entered the playoffs with the mindset that anything we get is just gravy on this season that was supposed to be about player development. Let's just enjoy the ride.

 

[PDXFonz]

Neither Terry nor Dame claim that this changes how they wan't to play... Glad to hear that.