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The LA Clippers are saying the right things but need to show it on the floor

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts during the third quarter in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts during the third quarter in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers are saying the right things after their loss to the Sacramento Kings but need to translate those words into action on the court.

The loss to the Sacramento Kings was another bad one. The Clippers came out completely lackluster, looking like they still were in All-Star break mode. A push in the second half gave us fans a glimmer of hope but the team fell short, scoring just two points in the final six minutes.

After the game, the Clippers players all seemed aware of the issues of the day. Lou Williams, who had a game-high 8 turnovers, recognized his need to take care of the ball telling reporters that if he cut his turnovers in half, the team wins the game.

Other players, including Kawhi Leonard who scored 31 points, cited that the team just wasn’t ready.

How many times have we heard this though? Dating back to before All-Star break, the Clippers have now lost three games straight and four of their last five. Yes, injuries to both Patrick Beverley and Paul George are not doing the team any favors and two of the losses came against Eastern Conference playoff teams but those are ultimately just excuses.

The Clippers have had several inexplainable losses to lesser teams. There was the blown lead in Atlanta. There was the other loss to the Kings. There was the blowout by the Timberwolves. It’s not great.

According to Phil Jackson‘s 40-20 rule (shout out to Reddit for this!), the Clippers are just one loss away from “not” being considered a contender. No, it’s not an actual rule nor will one more loss make or break the season but the team hasn’t looked like a championship contender for any long stretch of time. With Monday’s game coming against a young but strong Memphis team, the Clips need to show that everything they have been saying isn’t just talk. An end to end dominate win against the Grizzlies would cure a lot of the concern among fans.

Next. Clippers and Lakers game rescheduled to April 9. dark

As Kawhi said on Saturday night, “The time is now. You just gotta keep getting better. It doesn’t matter what seed you are. You just gotta keep fighting. It’s about the right team peaking at the right time.” Let’s see that in action.

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