The Battle of LA, Part IV

by Craig Kwasniewski

Just some brief notes from the Clippers-Lakers game on Sunday at Staples Center. The Lakers ended up winning it 100-83.

-The Clippers, who clinched a playoff spot with NOOCH's loss on Saturday night were playing to win. In Friday's loss to Sacramento, Sam Cassell only played the 2nd and 4th quarters with Shaun Livingston starting in his place. On Sunday, the Clippers started Cassell and responded by dominating the first quarter controlling the pace of the game and dropping 12 points.

-Quinton Ross started in place of Cuttino Mobley for defensive purposes. He held Kobe in check for much of the first quarter. I'm gonna have to do more research on this, but I believe it's in the NBA collective bargaining agreement that the Clippers must have a Quentin on the team; from Quentin Dailey to Quentin Richardson to Quinton Ross. Anyway, if you haven't seen Q play, he's like a good version of Bruce Bowen, meaning that he doesn't bitch about EVERY foul, and he plays clean sound defense with quick hands and feet.

-The Lakers turned the game around in the second quarter with defense. The Clippers got into foul trouble and with Corey Maggette out with serious back spasms, the Clip's bench didn't help much.

-Lamar Odom (23 points, 15 rebounds) is continuing his surge down the stretch. The guy was attacking the hoop more that I've ever seen. He was splitting the defense and dunking on the Clippers' bigs. This has to be killing Phil Jackson because for 60 games this year Odom sat on the perimeter looking to brick a three or pass the ball back to Kobe. As we've said before, if you get 30 from Kobe and 20 from Lamar, the Lakers are a hard team to beat.

-Kobe, averaging 43.4 points in the last 5 games, is closing the season on a serious scoring binge. Ross held Kobe to 2 points after the first quarter, then Kobe took over the scoring, eventually dropping 17 in the 4th quarter. I think he's going for the highest point total since Jordan did in 1987.

-Funny Sam Cassell moment of the night: With the game still undecided and with Cassell draped all over him on the perimeter, Kobe hits a clinching three and then smacks Cassell on the ass. Is there a more respected player in the NBA than Cassell? I've been a huge fan ever since my run-in with Cassell at the Cavs-Clips game back in November.

-One last thing; Since 1995, whenever the Lakers host the Clippers, the crowd is usually 99% Laker fans with the occasional Clipper fan hiding in the wing in case the Lakers coast to a loss. Maybe it’s playoff fever but Sunday night was the loudest Clipper contingency I have ever seen. Even Clipper “super fan” Daryl was there with his “Let’s go Clippers, let’s go” chant. The season series was split 2-2.

Comments

[basketbawful]

I just had this feeling that the Clips were going to run into a buzzsaw against the Lakers. I had this sense of that strange reverse karma that strikes teams right after they start to earn a little respect and people start talking about them as a potential "dark horse" or "playoff sleeper." Plus, they're a little nicked up right now and not at 100 percent. Plus, you got the feeling (at least I did) that the Lakers had more to play for than the Clips.

Just my 2 cents.

[Brett]

Speaking of "superfan Daryl," I heard him on a local talk show saying he was told by Staples security at halftime to stop the loud cheers or he would be kicked out!

Daryl said security told him it came "straight from the NBA," but we know that's BS. He's super loud (easily audible on TV) and a bunch of Laker fans in the section probably complained. If his cheers were strictly pro-Clipper like they usually are, he should have kept it up and made them throw him out. As a Clipper season ticket holder, I'm sure he would have had some recourse. Interesting for sure.

[Craig]

That's horrible! As you know,I've said WAAAYYYY worse at Laker games yet somehow they ask Daryl to stop the "Let's go Clippers, let's go!" chant? That's bullshit!

I was there and he helped add atmosphere to the usual blase crowd. (Laker fans were droning out the chant with boos which was funny) Plus, it's not like Daryl was dropping c-sucker bombs on Laker fans, he's totally harmless.