01-18-2010, 09:08 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Year Of The Basel
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Parts Unknown
Age: 23
Posts: 39,514
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Can Clippers Avoid Sinking To The Occasion?
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Wins over Boston and Denver, and close calls against Cleveland at Staples Center the last two seasons, plus one big breakthrough victory against the Lakers on Jan. 6.
Good teams? The Clippers don't seem to have much trouble rising to the occasion when the lights on the marquee are a bit brighter and the very best arrive in town.
(Well, there was that 40-point loss to the Lakers on Friday.)
Still, often rising to the occasion against the better teams has its flip side.
Cue up some ominous music for today's opponent.
Bring on the New Jersey Nets, armed with the baggage of 36 losses.
The Clippers, coming off a one-point loss to Cleveland on Saturday, watched film and had a brief walk-through Sunday, a good move considering their banged-up physical state.
And then there were some words of caution from Coach Mike Dunleavy:
"I said to our guys, 'Hey, most times, I feel more confident playing against the really good teams because you guys stay focused longer. And when you stay focused longer, we're better.' "
That was a way of getting around to the three-win Nets.
"Well, that's what I was presenting. That's the point I was making," Dunleavy said. "You can't look at records. If you go over individual personnel, you say, 'That guy is good. I like that guy. He's talented.'
"You've got to make sure you have that focus."
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http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,4976157.story
__________________
Bleeding purple & gold...
credit to shoop
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Can Clippers Avoid Sinking To The Occasion?
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