March 2012 Los Angeles Clippers Wiretap

Del Negro Seeks Continued Improvement As Clippers' Streak Hits 15

Dec 28, 2012 11:19 AM

The Los Angeles Clippers have won 15 consecutive games, but Vinny Del Negro has identified multiple areas where he wants his team to improve.

"Sometimes when you win, as coaches, you still see mistakes and things that we have to get better at," Del Negro said. "If you don't improve, eventually it's going to catch up to you. So it's a never-ending process."

Del Negro lists rebounding, trust on defense, reducing turnovers and better three-point defense as areas the Clippers need to improve upon.

"We're making a number of mistakes, that's for sure, but overall I think we're playing hard," Del Negro said. "We're playing better for longer stretches, which is good."

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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LeBron, Paul Named Players Of The Week

Dec 24, 2012 3:36 PM

The NBA announced on Monday that LeBron James and Chris Paul today have been named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 23.

James led the Miami Heat to a 3-0 week behind averages of 25.3 points (third in the conference), 7.7 assists (fourth in the conference), 8.0 rebounds and 1.67 blocks (eighth in the conference). He led Miami in rebounding in all three games and has opened the season with 20-plus point efforts in the Heat's first 24 games, matching the longest streak since Karl Malone opened the 1989-90 season with 24 consecutive 20-plus point outings.

Paul helped the Los Angeles Clippers to a 4-0 week behind averages of 16.3 points, a conference-leading 11.3 assists, and 3.50 steals, which tied for the conference lead with the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard. Paul posted three point-assist double-doubles and collected two five-steal games for the Clippers, who have won 13 consecutive games.

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Tags: LeBron James, Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Award

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Del Negro Successfully Managing Clippers' Depth

Dec 21, 2012 11:32 AM

Vinny Del Negro has successfully managed minutes for a deep Los Angeles Clippers' team so far this season.

Del Negro explained what every player's role would be before the season began.

The Clippers have 12 players averaging double-figures in minutes played, with Chris Paul playing the most with 33.1.

"Guys have to buy into the team concept and do things," Del Negro said. "When the team was put together, it was explained to everyone that this was his role and this is how I envisioned it and this is what we want to do.

"If you want to be a part of it, we want you. If you don't, then we'll move on. That's how it was presented to everybody. It's not easy, but I think our guys have shown some good character."

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Billups Out Indefinitely With Peroneal Tendonitis In Left Foot

Dec 21, 2012 11:28 AM

Chauncey Billups said there is no timetable for when he will be able to return again to the Los Angeles Clippers' lineup.

Billups received therapy on Wednesday for peroneal tendonitis in his left foot.

"I'm not really practicing on the court yet," Billups said. "When I get to do that, then we can assess that."

Team doctors have recommended rest for Billups.

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Chauncey Billups, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Josh Smith, Blake Griffin Named Players Of The Week

Dec 10, 2012 3:59 PM

The NBA announced on Monday that Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin are the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 9.

In helping the Hawks go 3-0 on the week, Smith ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring (21.0 ppg) and rebounding (12.0 rpg), and tied for sixth in steals (2.00 spg). Smith grabbed a season-high 15 boards in a 104-95 win vs. Washington on Dec. 7, and followed that up the following night with a season-high three steals in a 93-83 triumph at Memphis.

Griffin averaged a point/rebound double-double in leading the Clippers to four wins in as many games. Among Western Conference players, Griffin ranked ninth in scoring (23.0 ppg), seventh in rebounding (10.0 rpg), and second in steals (2.50 spg). Additionally, Griffin's .639 field goal percentage ranked sixth in the conference. In a 117-99 win over Phoenix Dec. 8, Griffin recorded a career-best four steals to go along with 24 points and eight rebounds.

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Tags: Josh Smith, Blake Griffin, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Award

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Odom Regaining Playing Shape, Producing

Dec 9, 2012 12:23 PM

Lamar Odom has put up at least four points and at least five rebounds in the Los Angeles Clippers' past five games and dropped eight points and eight rebounds in Saturday's rout of the Phoenix Suns.

All season, coach Vinny Del Negro has made clear he would stick with Odom in his rotation to get the veteran big man into playing shape. Now, Del Negro and the Clippers are seeing results, too.

“Have you looked at him?” Del Negro said. “He’s lost 12 pounds. He’s going to lose more. He’s working. You’re going play better. You’re going to move better. You’re going to get more confident. You’re going to feel like yourself again. That’s what he’s doing.”

Odom has always had the talent but admittedly lost his desire due to an array of personal issues. He is gradually regaining his playing shape as this season goes on.

“My body and my mind are starting to attach again,” Odom said. “That feels good.”

Arash Markazi/ESPN

Tags: Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA

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Paul Looking To Be More Aggressive Early In Games

Dec 7, 2012 7:23 PM

Chris Paul often leans toward getting his teammates involved early, finding a rhythm and then taking over the final 12 minutes of the game.

“I always try to get everybody involved,” Paul said. “I have the ball in my hands so much I always know that I have the opportunity to score and at times we do play better if I’m a little aggressive earlier.”

This season, the Clippers break even in the opening 12 minutes, registering a net zero in average first quarter scoring margin (12th in the NBA) and then edge their opponents by plus-3.8 points in the fourth quarter (2nd).

“He’s usually being played a certain way in the beginning of the game and instead of being overly aggressive in those situations,” Caron Butler said. “Whether he’s being blitzed or hard shows [on the pick and roll], he’s usually getting off the ball and creating opportunities for myself and other teammates and then obviously in the third and fourth quarter he finds a rhythm and takes over the game.”

Paul feels physically up to the task of taking on an increased workload.

“There’s this website where I can watch every shot that I’ve ever made in the NBA,” Paul said, referring to Synergy Sports Technology, a subscription service that ingests and indexes real-time broadcasts. “That’s all I do on the road or at home. I watch this website, just watching shots I’ve made, missed, turnovers, steals, assists, everything.

“I watch so much film. I watch film from me from my rookie year, my second year. I watch film all day, every day. I always tell myself, I feel better now than I did maybe three years ago, as far as my body, so why not be aggressive and be like I was in the past.”

Eric Patten/Clippers.com

Tags: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Billups Out With Peroneal Tendinitis

Dec 6, 2012 12:26 AM

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups is out indefinitely due to peroneal tendinitis in his left foot, the team announced on Wednesday night.

Billups missed Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Billups returned from a torn left Achilles last week and started three games. His latest ailment is unrelated to the Achilles injury.

"It's frustrating, of course, working that hard to come back and have to kind of sit back and wait,” Billups said. “I know what it is. I respect the process and I’m not down at all. Of course, I want to be out there, but it is what it is. It’s all about the marathon for me.”

Willie Green returned to the starting lineup in Billups' absence.

Eric Patten/NBA.com

Tags: Chauncey Billups, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Griffin Watching Tape Of Jumper To Improve

Dec 2, 2012 11:12 PM

Blake Griffin is constantly being encouraged to shoot open jumpers, knowing how much extra time he is spending with Los Angeles Clippers' shooting coach Bob Thate.

"Every game, every practice, before every game, a lot of guys will come up and be like, 'Shoot it. We see you working on it every day. Shoot it,'" Griffin said. "That helps to know that your teammates want you to shoot that shot."

Griffin has watched a lot tape with Thate to detect flaws in his jumper.

"Most of the time now when I shoot, when I mess up, I hold the ball a little too long, especially on the way down," Griffin said. "My posture is a lot better as far as going straight up and down. Sometimes I hold the ball back a little too far, but coming back too far is minor. The thing I'm really working on now is trying to shoot on the way up."

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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