LOS ANGELES -- It was just a preseason game, so the result of the Los Angeles Clippers' 108-103 win on Wednesday hardly mattered. Yet the Staples Center co-tenants renewed their rivalry with all the contentiousness of a playoff game.
Things got a little chippy like they almost always seem to do when these teams meet.
The physical play boiled over when Matt Barnes was called for a flagrant 1 foul for pushing Blake Griffin to the floor with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter.
"I thought we had some pretty good fouls. I don't know about the (flagrant), I got to go back and watch the replay," said Lakers coach Mike Brown. "Hopefully we won't get flagrant fouls. What that does is gives them free shots and the ball back, but I thought we had some good, solid, hard fouls which is what we should do because we're deep. So, if a guy fouls out, we got another guy that can step in and play."
Barnes left the locker room before speaking to the media and declined an interview request as he was walking out of the arena, but Lakers forward Pau Gasol offered an explanation for all the hard fouls.
"I think we were upset that they were flopping a little too much," said Gasol.
Last edited by Habsfan18: 12-22-2011 at 01:21 PM.
Reason: Don't copy and paste full articles
I really like what Indiana are doing at the moment. Probably not a title contender, but they have a deep versatile line up, so could end up as the 4th or 5th seed in a crappy eastern conference.
Also Paul George grew from 6'8 to 6'10 in the off-season which is kinda funny to see a late growth spurt like that. He's my pick for break out player of the year.
I really like what Indiana are doing at the moment. Probably not a title contender, but they have a deep versatile line up, so could end up as the 4th or 5th seed in a crappy eastern conference.
Also Paul George grew from 6'8 to 6'10 in the off-season which is kinda funny to see a late growth spurt like that. He's my pick for break out player of the year.
I agree. Pacers will be good.
Too bad they couldn't pull off that McRoberts for Mayo deal.
Also Paul George grew from 6'8 to 6'10 in the off-season which is kinda funny to see a late growth spurt like that. He's my pick for break out player of the year.
Wow. That's interesting. Be cool to see how his game adapts. Likely get some time at PF as well. Which should increase his minutes. And yeah, he has a good chance of breaking out next year.
But the 2010 draft is actually looking better than thought at the time. George as well as Udoh, Monroe, Hayward, Davis and Sanders all have breakout potential IMO.
__________________
Every post comes with the Nalyd Psycho Seal of Approval.
Noted NBA expert Michael Wilbon boldly predicted the Heat will go 58-8 in the regular season. Let the massive Heatles hype commence!
That's not that ridiculous, didn't the cavs win 69 games with Lebron? They added Battier, a healthy Miller and hopefully a healthy Curry that can give them 6 fouls and block some shots they have a decent rotation.
That's not that ridiculous, didn't the cavs win 69 games with Lebron? They added Battier, a healthy Miller and hopefully a healthy Curry that can give them 6 fouls and block some shots they have a decent rotation.
Haslem is probably the most important player they have "added". He only played in 13 regular season games last year and he wasn't 100% even when he came back. Getting his defense and toughness off the bench will be huge.
Miller didn't play today and Battier only played 4 minutes but the bench already looked so much better. Both Haslem and Cole had good games.
League says no suspension for Kevin Garnett for grabbing Bill Walker by the throat. That means he'll be in the line up tomorrow against Miami. Should be a good game.
Also, NBA League Pass has a free preview until Jan. 9th for those who are interested.
