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[Los Angeles Clippers]

Clippers Coach Gets Honest About Crucial Second-Half Lineup Change On Thursday

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue had some difficult choices to make during Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

He has a list of talented players on his roster, but not all of them can get minutes during every single game.

On Thursday, he elected to play “small ball” against the Nuggets, and it is one of the reasons why the Clippers beat them 111-105.

Following the game, he spoke with ESPN about why he chose the route and how it paid off.

“When we went small with that shooting lineup, we were able to break the game open a little bit,” Lue said. “That gave James and Kawhi more spacing and they were able to attack more.”

In the second half of the game, Lue chose to play Nicolas Batum instead of Kris Dunn.

Dunn is more focused on defense, but it was clear that the Nuggets had figured him out and weren’t too worried about him.

Lue felt that Batum would be a better fit for what the Clippers were trying to do, and he was right.

Instead of attempting to intimidate with size, Lue’s Clippers went with a more offense-focused lineup, one that was smaller but more effective.

After the game, he thanked some of the players who had to sit on the bench because of his roster choices.

This is exactly what is needed during the playoffs: coaches have to make adjustments on the fly, and they sometimes favor one player over another.

It can lead to stars missing minutes and even full games.

But it is all for the good of the team and enhances their chances of winning.

Lue obviously made the right choices on Thursday, and now he will try to do it again for Game 7.

The post Clippers Coach Gets Honest About Crucial Second-Half Lineup Change On Thursday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/clipper...rucial-second-half-lineup-change-on-thursday/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Tyronn Lue Reveals What He Did To Prepare Clippers For Game 6

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers needed to win their Thursday night game against the Denver Nuggets, or else their season would be over.

That meant everyone, from the players to the coaches to the fans, would need to be tuned in and ready to give 100 percent.

That’s exactly what happened.

Following LA’s 111-105 win, head coach Tyronn Lue spoke about getting his players in the right headspace for the game.

“I had a lot of phone calls,” Lue said. “A lot of phone calls. Just talking to the guys, being positive. Making sure they understood that we didn’t play our best [in Game 5] and our attention to detail wasn’t good.”

Instead of sending a text or an email to everyone, Lue made sure to reach out to each of his stars and get them all on the same page.

It was important for him to reiterate that they didn’t play their best in Game 5, and another performance like that would cost them the series and the season.

No one knows the specifics of what Lue said to his squad, but it obviously worked because several stars came out swinging in Game 6.

James Harden led the way with 28 points, six rebounds, and 8 assists.

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard was right behind him with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Norman Powell put up 24 points.

Now the series is tied 3-3, but the final game of the series will be held in Denver.

That will be LA’s toughest match yet, and everything is on the line.

But Game 6 was proof to everyone that the Clippers can bounce back after a bad performance and find their footing again.

Will it provide motivation for a must-win Game 7?

The post Tyronn Lue Reveals What He Did To Prepare Clippers For Game 6 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/tyronn-lue-reveals-what-he-did-to-prepare-clippers-for-game-6/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Clippers Executive Reveals Update About James Harden’s Future

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

James Harden and his Los Angeles Clippers didn’t get far in the playoffs, but they still enjoyed their most successful season together.

What’s next for Harden and his team?

Speaking with ESPN, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank made it clear that he wants Harden to pick up his player option this summer.

“We have a great level of appreciation for what James did this year,” Frank said. “I’m going in with the intent that if he doesn’t pick up his option that we’re going to be able to reach an agreement that works well for James and works well for the Clippers.”

There is a possibility, of course, that Harden elects not to take his player option and try his chances with free agency.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Harden left a team, even when it was doing well.

But Harden seems to be a good fit with Los Angeles, and the team clearly wants him to stick around.

Fans shouldn’t be too frightened if they see headlines of Harden saying no to his player option.

That just means the Clippers and Harden’s management team have to hash out a new deal and see eye-to-eye about their future.

It may require some negotiating, but there is a very good chance that Harden will be back with the Clippers next season, no matter what happens with his player option.

It is important to note that the Clippers have the oldest roster in the NBA, and they need to be thinking of their future.

They want Harden to remain, but they also cannot pay too much or give up all of their future prospects and options to get him.

Both sides will have to be smart and strategic to get what they want.

The post Clippers Executive Reveals Update About James Harden’s Future appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/clippers-executive-reveals-update-about-james-hardens-future/