Grading the LA Clippers at the halfway point of the season

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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LA Clippers
LA Clippers (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Next 41

RS: Alright. Final question since I expect a good dialogue here. What do you want to see out of the second half of the season?

MC: Terance Mann is a player I also want to see more of. I feel like with what Jerome is producing on the floor, it’s about the same as you’d get from Terance, only not as good. He’s actually been shooting better than Jerome, and that’s the main thing Jerome has on him. Aside from an additional year in the NBA. He does typical rookie things at times, but I’d still give him a B.

LS: I think we can all agree on consistent defensive play

RS: I’d go a step further and just say consistent effort.

MC: Yeah, I really just want the guys to look like they give a damn on a game-to-game basis.

AR: The main things to me aren’t measured by numbers or stats per say. Consistency, health, and that fire they were fighting with. All last season and the beginning of this year as well, the team had this desire to win. Comeback from large deficits, and closing out great opponents seemed to be the routine for them. Getting back to that style of Basketball is what I look most forward to in the second half.

SK: I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said. Play consistently and give great effort. If we do that, we are as much of a contender as any other team.

MC: Super agree on the consistency, too! The insane amount of different lineups Doc has had to throw together is really frustrating.

LS: If we are consistent then we are championship caliber

RS: What seed do we end up with?

LS: 2nd or 3rd, Playoff Kawhi isn’t about seeding, I am not about seeding.

SK: That’s hard. The west is so bunched up in the middle right now. I think 2 or 3. We’re 18-4 at home, 10-9 on the road. I think we fight hard for home court as much as possible.

AR: I think we are all hoping for the 2nd seed and that’s the goal? Possibly falling to the third seed due to load management.

RS: I hope we can secure second. Even if it will give me multiple heart attacks, I really want the Los Angeles Western Conference Finals.

AR: Do not get me wrong, I like the Clippers chances against ANY team. But I do think it’s important to lock up the second seed. (Assuming the Lakers finish 1st)

SK: I’d love it. To quote the immortal Ric Flair, “to be the man, you’ve gotta beat the man”

AR: It is strategic for the Clippers to wait out the Lakers until the conference finals. Let their stars rust for as long as they can because of the workload they personally have to carry. Possibly avoid the Rockets because bad memories am I right? Initiate a freeway conference finals series, where there will be no traveling, while our superstars have played significantly fewer minutes than the others has to be the plan right? Either way, I like the chances against any team no matter what seed the Clippers finish at.

RS: With that, we’ll end the Slack Chat. Thank you all for participating and here is to another 41 games!