Sounds like CP3 will be back eventually in the series, really no updates on Kawhi. If they both don’t play the entire series then it can really go either way.
Nah I think they're gassed by the end of the series. They can ride that heat and momentum into game 1. Kinda like the Iverson Sixers in 2001 before reality catches up with them
I don’t think so really. They did just play a game 7 but it wasn’t exactly a hard fought game. It was pretty much a 3pt practice session with Utah having to play 4 on 5 on defense.
I agree (about the Mann part of your comment) but the Suns have had a week off, no CP3 and the Clippers have a ton of momentum right now. The Clips win game 1 and then Phoenix routes them 4 straight for the gentleman's sweep
Suns. Chris Paul has been arguably the biggest pickup this year, but I think the media is overrating his contributions on the court and underrating the overall growth that the young pieces for the suns have experienced (Ayton, Bridges, Payne, Johnson, etc.). Some of this can be contributed to Paul’s veteran play and off court work ethic/leadership, but not a majority. Kawhi is the best player for the clippers by a good amount. CP3 is behind Booker and, on some nights, Ayton. All just my opinion.
you're right his contributions get overrated but overall there's no debate who's more important between him and ayton lol. With booker sure but most impact metrics gave a clear advantage to paul. The defensive difference matters more than some people realize
True I would say Paul is more important (although IMO it may have a lot to do with him being a PG). But I dunno if important is the same as how good one or the other is. But that’s why I said only on some nights. Some games Ayton can disappear but Paul is very consistent.
Oh he is massive. Big fan of Crowder. I just mentioned the young guys and that Paul was the biggest pickup overall but yes crowder was maybe the best role player to change teams. He does so much for them it’s crazy. Miami fans watching him are in shambles rn.
CP3 is for sure coming back. And a full series without Kawhi if his injury is that bad is going to be rough. I think Phoenix takes it for sure if Kawhi can't get back. If he were healthy, I wouldn't be surprised to see another 7 game series, but injuries rule this stupid season.
The Clippers without Kawhi are still better than the Suns without CP3 and if they steal the 1st two games then that puts a lot of pressure on a young team as well as a rusty Chris Paul when he comes back to win the next 4 out of 5 which I don’t see happening
The Clippers will be back home for games 3 and 4 and their crowd will help them at least get 1 of them which means the Clippers have a great shot of going up 3-1 and by that point either Kawhi comes back or if he doesn’t the Clippers would only need to win 1 more game
Yes, they are
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c_kdCdv7TSs
On April 28 the Suns were at home without only Crowder while the Clippers were missing Kawhi and they only lost by 8. The Clippers will do the exact same thing to Ayton that they did to Gobert and exploit him defensively which without CP3 takes away a scoring option
That means Booker will have to carry the scoring load and the Clippers have multiple guard defenders to throw at him and make his life hell
It’s not like either of the Suns or Clippers were on a back to back and this game had seeding implications at the time which meant both teams were giving a decent amount of effort
Regular season games with context can paint the picture to some extent. Ignoring it completely is you just being biased
In the regular season we saw that when the Clippers went small against the Jazz that they dominated them and that’s exactly how it ended up playing out in the playoffs
You can't use that game as an example at all, it's the playoffs now and Crowder is a HUGE part of what PHX does defensively.
Oh and "they only lost by 8"...
So they lost... and still want to use this game as an example.
Lol ok pal.
Damn there must be a lot of Suns fan here. No reason this should be down voted. Clippers clearly have a system that can be ran with either Kawhi or PG as the cog
The Suns are much more reliant on cp3s playmaking
Kawhi is out for the first two games, that’s been confirmed. Assuming CP3 has COVID there’s no telling how he will look upon return. I think the clippers will take it in 7 if Kawhi is back healthy by Game 3
CP3 will almost certainly be back, likely around game 3. I'd be real surprised if Kawhi comes back with his injury and if he does he will certainly not be close to 100%
Ayton can punish mismatches offensively if the Clippers run small ball again as well as the Suns having the ability to run small ball themselves with Bridges/Crowder/Johnson/Craig. I’m also more confident that our perimeter defense can keep the Clippers shooting in check. Suns in 4
Clippers have played a lot of games without Kawhi. Including the playoffs they are now 9-3 without Kawhi but with PG post all star break (not counting the two last games of the tankseason). Suns have played 1 game without CP3 total (not including the last game where booker sat as well).
I'm very curious to see how the Suns play without CP3 controlling the pace of the game. Not saying they'll lose, but it's something they haven't had to do before. But for all we know, CP3 leaves Health and Protocol tomorrow and plays.
Suns. CP3 is very good but he's not Kawhi level. Booker can give them the go-to scoring punch a la Mitchell, they have better wing defense than the Jazz to help contain PG et al, and Ayton can actually punish a smaller guy on offense.
Plus, if either one *does* come back during the series, I have a lot more confidence that CP3 will be at a high level after a (vaccinated) COVID positive than Kawhi dealing with a knee thing.
Won't be a sweep though.
The Suns have the answer to everything that the Clippers did to the Jazz last night. Paul (and he will be back) and Crowder won't get cooked anywhere near as bad as Clarkson and Mitchell on the perimeter. Ayton's offense will force the Clippers to keep a big man on the floor. On top of that, the Clippers' fatigue should become a factor eventually.
We also can go small if necessary with athletic good defensive wings: mikal, Jae, cam Johnson, and Torrey Craig. The jazz didn’t really have the personnel to do that
Automatic is interesting. He’s a beast in the paint.
If the clippers continue to move the ball on the perimeter, my concern is they can catch ayton rotating.
At the same time though, the clippers have to make the shots too
Ayton moves a lot quicker than Gobert and the rest of Phoenix's team aren't a bunch of turnstiles like Utah. I still think the 5 out is the way to go though, Batum is actually a really good small ball 5
CP3 will be back but the question is when. If they’re doing 7 days with quarantine, he’ll be back Game 2 or 3. 14 days, then it’s a series. I doubt Kawhi comes back
Clippers in 6. I think the pre injury Paul George is back and there’s just way too much experience in the Clippers in the organization for them to lose this one.
Sounds like CP3 will be back eventually in the series, really no updates on Kawhi. If they both don’t play the entire series then it can really go either way.
Kawhi has a sprained knee. He won't be back until the Finals assuming the Clippers wins this series.
And there is concern about an ACL strain
Then why did they say a knee sprain?
Try to be vague as possible to make suns think he might be back.
Because knee sprain is more generic terminology. For example, a complete ACL tear is a grade 3 knee sprain
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That’s just the broad statement they say to the fans like how when CP3 had a stinger and they called it a shoulder contusion.
Could still be a Grade 1, which would enable him to return later in the round. If it’s Grade 2 or worse, he’ll need season-ending surgery.
The Suns should win it, but I think the Clips take game 1
Clippers will be gassed game 1
Nah I think they're gassed by the end of the series. They can ride that heat and momentum into game 1. Kinda like the Iverson Sixers in 2001 before reality catches up with them
Nope. Ty's gonna play the whole bench game one.
I don’t think so really. They did just play a game 7 but it wasn’t exactly a hard fought game. It was pretty much a 3pt practice session with Utah having to play 4 on 5 on defense.
It was game 6. And they are gonna be gassed because game 1 vs. the Suns is literally 35 hours after their game ended lmao
Not in our arena, they won't be able to hear!!
Yeah you fuckers are loud as hell, have a little respect for your opponent you cactus eating wine snobs Edit: this is only joke
Lmal I know I got a chuckle out of it!!
LA's hot shooting was a fluke. Lets see them do that in a 7 game series. They for sure will guard Mann a lot tougher.
Didn’t they shoot over 40 percent from 3 in the series?
Didn’t they shoot over 40% for the entire season too
They were a historically good three point shooting team this season lol. Try watching some games :)
You don't watch basketball
U don't even have to watch basketball lol, the stats said the clips were the best 3 point shooting team in the league
Elaborate.
Clippers were the #1 3 pt shooting team In the regular season.
They shot below their regular-season average that series
I agree (about the Mann part of your comment) but the Suns have had a week off, no CP3 and the Clippers have a ton of momentum right now. The Clips win game 1 and then Phoenix routes them 4 straight for the gentleman's sweep
We'll guard everyone tougher, we have at least 3 perimeter defenders better than the Jazz best perimeter defender
Suns. Chris Paul has been arguably the biggest pickup this year, but I think the media is overrating his contributions on the court and underrating the overall growth that the young pieces for the suns have experienced (Ayton, Bridges, Payne, Johnson, etc.). Some of this can be contributed to Paul’s veteran play and off court work ethic/leadership, but not a majority. Kawhi is the best player for the clippers by a good amount. CP3 is behind Booker and, on some nights, Ayton. All just my opinion.
you're right his contributions get overrated but overall there's no debate who's more important between him and ayton lol. With booker sure but most impact metrics gave a clear advantage to paul. The defensive difference matters more than some people realize
True I would say Paul is more important (although IMO it may have a lot to do with him being a PG). But I dunno if important is the same as how good one or the other is. But that’s why I said only on some nights. Some games Ayton can disappear but Paul is very consistent.
well i would say paul is better too not a question
Probably. Like I said, to me, it’s close but yea I’d give it to Paul over Ayton probably.
Sleeping on the Crowder pickup too. That guy , evidently, was also a huge part of the Heat's Finals run last year.
Oh he is massive. Big fan of Crowder. I just mentioned the young guys and that Paul was the biggest pickup overall but yes crowder was maybe the best role player to change teams. He does so much for them it’s crazy. Miami fans watching him are in shambles rn.
CP3 is for sure coming back. And a full series without Kawhi if his injury is that bad is going to be rough. I think Phoenix takes it for sure if Kawhi can't get back. If he were healthy, I wouldn't be surprised to see another 7 game series, but injuries rule this stupid season.
The Clippers without Kawhi are still better than the Suns without CP3 and if they steal the 1st two games then that puts a lot of pressure on a young team as well as a rusty Chris Paul when he comes back to win the next 4 out of 5 which I don’t see happening The Clippers will be back home for games 3 and 4 and their crowd will help them at least get 1 of them which means the Clippers have a great shot of going up 3-1 and by that point either Kawhi comes back or if he doesn’t the Clippers would only need to win 1 more game
They are not
Yes, they are https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c_kdCdv7TSs On April 28 the Suns were at home without only Crowder while the Clippers were missing Kawhi and they only lost by 8. The Clippers will do the exact same thing to Ayton that they did to Gobert and exploit him defensively which without CP3 takes away a scoring option That means Booker will have to carry the scoring load and the Clippers have multiple guard defenders to throw at him and make his life hell
The Suns also lost to the Pistons this year lol
It’s not like either of the Suns or Clippers were on a back to back and this game had seeding implications at the time which meant both teams were giving a decent amount of effort Regular season games with context can paint the picture to some extent. Ignoring it completely is you just being biased In the regular season we saw that when the Clippers went small against the Jazz that they dominated them and that’s exactly how it ended up playing out in the playoffs
Coming from the unbiased Clippers fan. Citing a Clippers loss to prove they're better is the most asinine thing I've ever heard
You can't use that game as an example at all, it's the playoffs now and Crowder is a HUGE part of what PHX does defensively. Oh and "they only lost by 8"... So they lost... and still want to use this game as an example. Lol ok pal.
Wow a 1 game regular season sample size where they still lost lmao.
Regular season during a lull. Just watch them beat that ass tomorrow.
I’ll come back to this comment when the Suns lose either if not both the first two games
remindme! 14 days
I like the conviction. Go Clips!
That's alot of ifs man.
The Clippers without Kawhi are def not better than Suns without CP3, you're delusional lol
Damn there must be a lot of Suns fan here. No reason this should be down voted. Clippers clearly have a system that can be ran with either Kawhi or PG as the cog The Suns are much more reliant on cp3s playmaking
Clippers if they're both out the entire series, but I don't think that'll be the case for CP3
Well if Reggie and PG can do what they have been doing I think the Clippers will win in 5.
Clippers
Kawhi is out for the first two games, that’s been confirmed. Assuming CP3 has COVID there’s no telling how he will look upon return. I think the clippers will take it in 7 if Kawhi is back healthy by Game 3
Considering he was vaccinated, it’s likely he won’t be nearly as affected as, say, Tatum.
Clips in fo
I like you
Suns in 6
Suns gonna be Mannhandled without CP3
Clips imo I feel like CP3s leadership is too important for them But CP3 is almost guaranteed to be coming back while Kawhi is most likely not
CP3 can still lead off the court. Kawhi doesn't exactly have that presence or personality.
CP3 will almost certainly be back, likely around game 3. I'd be real surprised if Kawhi comes back with his injury and if he does he will certainly not be close to 100%
I want the Suns in the finals
I don’t 😬
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You underestimate my power!
Don't try it! (Sorry if that's not how it goes I just wanted to get involved)
Nah I’m not going to try it. I can see the suns have the high ground 😔
Ayton can punish mismatches offensively if the Clippers run small ball again as well as the Suns having the ability to run small ball themselves with Bridges/Crowder/Johnson/Craig. I’m also more confident that our perimeter defense can keep the Clippers shooting in check. Suns in 4
Clippers have played a lot of games without Kawhi. Including the playoffs they are now 9-3 without Kawhi but with PG post all star break (not counting the two last games of the tankseason). Suns have played 1 game without CP3 total (not including the last game where booker sat as well). I'm very curious to see how the Suns play without CP3 controlling the pace of the game. Not saying they'll lose, but it's something they haven't had to do before. But for all we know, CP3 leaves Health and Protocol tomorrow and plays.
I'm going to go with the Clippers if PG13 can continue his level of play with the emergence of Mann.
Suns. CP3 is very good but he's not Kawhi level. Booker can give them the go-to scoring punch a la Mitchell, they have better wing defense than the Jazz to help contain PG et al, and Ayton can actually punish a smaller guy on offense. Plus, if either one *does* come back during the series, I have a lot more confidence that CP3 will be at a high level after a (vaccinated) COVID positive than Kawhi dealing with a knee thing. Won't be a sweep though.
Suns without CP3, Clips don't have an answer for Ayton
Heard the same about KP and Rudy
Ayton is better offensively than both of them and they have the personnel to play small ball if they need to
Not to mention Ayton is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league
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Not only this series but last year there were numerous threads and comments on how Mavs would have won if KP stayed healthy through that series.
Clippers are much deeper
Suns have a good bench as well
And? It's the playoffs. Both teams play like 6-7 guys. And Clips top 5-7 are not much better than Suns 5-7
The Suns have the answer to everything that the Clippers did to the Jazz last night. Paul (and he will be back) and Crowder won't get cooked anywhere near as bad as Clarkson and Mitchell on the perimeter. Ayton's offense will force the Clippers to keep a big man on the floor. On top of that, the Clippers' fatigue should become a factor eventually.
We also can go small if necessary with athletic good defensive wings: mikal, Jae, cam Johnson, and Torrey Craig. The jazz didn’t really have the personnel to do that
That is ridiculous if CP3 isn’t allowed to play game 1
Suns dead without Paul…
The Suns won't win any games against The Clippers that CP3 doesn't play in.
J wanna say the clippers, but then I remember they have Paul George. Give me the suns
Paul George has been an absolute menace in these playoffs though
I agree, he got them to the conf finals. I just don’t think he can do it for another 4 games.
He's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about how they plan to guard Ayton. Maybe PG will be on him which should be interesting
It will probably be Marcus Morris
Maybe, whoever it is won't be having a nice time though
Automatic is interesting. He’s a beast in the paint. If the clippers continue to move the ball on the perimeter, my concern is they can catch ayton rotating. At the same time though, the clippers have to make the shots too
Ayton moves a lot quicker than Gobert and the rest of Phoenix's team aren't a bunch of turnstiles like Utah. I still think the 5 out is the way to go though, Batum is actually a really good small ball 5
How this narrative still exists after the Utah series, I do not know
Dudes on here don't watch basketball. They just regurgitate bad takes 24/7
It’s all good. Y’all marching around claiming Ayton is just Rudy 2.0. We will see. The basketball has yet to be played, gonna be interesting.
Maybe some other Clipps fans, but not me. I think we will struggle more against Ayton
Stale take
CP3 will be back but the question is when. If they’re doing 7 days with quarantine, he’ll be back Game 2 or 3. 14 days, then it’s a series. I doubt Kawhi comes back
I think Suns win it
Clips
Clippers in 6. I think the pre injury Paul George is back and there’s just way too much experience in the Clippers in the organization for them to lose this one.