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Let's hope that Mike rocks the fake handkerchief in the suit jacket pocket tonight! Just like Mike Morgan!
And we're back to a winnable game.
After slamming through an incredibly tough schedule facing nearly all playoff teams and getting crushed every night, we finally meet a team that is our size. Right?
Wrong. The Clippers are a very, very good team struggling for an identity. They have a Hall of Fame Coach and 3 near All-Stars, whereas we have a couple of questionable Small Forwards and a coach who has never been above a seventh seed and has been choked by one of his own players.
So, why are the Clippers 1-9? Well, the reason is simple: this team is virtually all-new. The Clippers roster experienced tremendous turnover in the off-season. The only players really left over are too small of a group to justify a chemistry or gameplan carryover from last year. They are still learning to play together, and they'll battle back to winning ways soon.
Even if the Clippers were the bad team that we thought they were, there's still the question of if the Thunder have any fight at all left in them. I mean, it's been really grueling so far, and I don't know of any 1-10 teams who came back to go for the playoffs after having nearly the same roster as last year, so what reason do they have to win? What's to say that they won't give up in the 3rd? I know I sound self-defeating, but the futilism of it all has got to get to you after 10 losses.
Anyway, on to the Matchups:
C- Robert Swift vs. Chris Kaman
Winner: Chris Kaman
It's no contest. Chris Kaman is one of the best scorers and rebounders in the league, and while he's not quite at all-star level, he's pretty darn close. Robert Swift strugges to get into the top 40 of NBA Centers.
PF- Nick Collison vs. Marcus Camby
Winner: Marcus Camby
Marcus Camby is getting up there in age, but he's still a defensive monster and passing machine. Nick Collison can rebound on any given night, and score sometimes, but defense beats offense, and Cambys offense probably beats Collions Defense.
SF- Jeff Green vs. Al Thornton
Winner: Al Thornton
Probably the most intriguing matchup of the night. Jeff Green has had a good year, but a lot of people are saying that Al Horford should have won Rookie of the Year, and he plays like a big man. I'll give him a slight edge.
SG- Kevin Durant vs. Cuttino Mobley
Winner: Kevin Durant
No question here. Mobley is a very one-dimentional 3 point shooter. Kevin Durant has so many dimensions that some people say that he has height, width, depth, and even a grasp of time.
PG- Baron Davis vs. Earl Watson
Winner: Baron Davis
Again, No question. Baron Davis is a great scorer, good passer, and excellent defender. Both shoot big time shots, but Baron is the only one who makes them. Baron by a mile. (Golden State Misses you, man. Even with Morrow. I swear.)
Battle of the Benches:
Winner: Clippers
There's no question that Oklahoma Citys bench is deeper, but the Clippers have a lot more talent on their bench. Ricky Davis has the tools to be sixth man of the year if his team is successful, as he is a great scorer. Tim Thomas and Brian Skinner are two solid, veteran big men that could start on the Thunder. Jason Hart is a quick, scrappy PG and Eric Gordon is a undiscovered prospect. What more evidence do you need?
Coaching and Intangibles:
Winner: Clippers
Mike Dunleavy, Sr. is a great coach with great fashion sense. He should be able to get this team together soon enough.
Player to Watch: Baron Davis. With our bad guard play, it could be easy pickins for Baron.
Prediction: Ben isn't here, so I'll have to wade the waters alone. Los Angeles 106, Thunder 97.
Please, let us win tonight against all odds. I really don't wanna look a record with all 1s in it (1-11).
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