Source: Kirby Lee / US Presswire

After 16 games and around a fifth of the season done, the Los Angeles Clippers are 3-13.  To many people that is a horrible record and fans should be ashamed of having that record.  But for the first time since last January before the water pipe burst, things are looking up for these young Clippers.  They won the last two games and played considerably well against both opponents.

Last night the Clippers played against the Sacramento Kings and won with the final score being 100-82.  Of course this win cannot be measure how well the Clippers are because the Kings are going through some rough patches right now.  They lost the last 9 of 10 games after starting out 3-1.  Watching the game though, you can see the Clippers have done a lot of good things.

Eric Gordon was Tyreke Evans primary defender and did well.  He limited the current rookie of the year to only 8 points.  And since Evans has a terrible jumpshot, the Clippers clogged the lane and did not let him go inside.  I think his only field goal in the second half was when DeAndre Jordan goaltended one of his shots that was for sure not going in.  The defense though tonight by the Clippers were really strong and doesn’t seem as lost as it was during that 9 game losing streak.

Blake Griffin was absolute beastmode tonight with 25 points and 15 rebounds and a series of highlight dunks.  Nothing as epic as the Mozgov dunk during the Knicks game but there was one play where him and Gordon performed a perfect pick and roll that saw Griffin gallop all the way to the basket for a jam without any defenders wanting to get postered.  I don’t want to talk about Griffin too much right now because there’s going to be hundreds of articles about him in the coming days since last night’s game was televised.

One of the recent surprises recently has been how well Brian Cook has been performing.  Last night he took down 5 rebounds and scored 4 points.  His rebounds though were not just him getting the ball while everyone the court switches from defense to offense or vice versa.  These rebounds were mostly him fighting and hustling every time he sees a shot missed.  Of all the times I cussed and screamed at him through the television, last night was not one of those nights.  He’s starting to show himself to be servicable and not just a waste of a roster space.  Here’s a good article written by Lisa Dillman on him recently, everyone here should take a look.  And yes that’s where I took this awesome picture of Cook and VDN hugging.

Other thoughts:

• Paul Westphal kind of looks like what Vinny would look like in ten years.  Maybe it’s just me but there’s some resemblance.
• I think Carl Landry is not going to go anywhere in the Kings.  In the Rockets, he was under a good coach who knew how to use him.  The Kings are trying to turn a role player into a main guy which I don’t think is going to work with Landry.
• Omri Casspi was one of my favorite rookies last season and it is a shame to see him not being that productive right now.  He would be a perfect fit on the Clippers though, we need a long tall small forward that can hit the trey.  This was said for Gallinari too.
• I’m still in a wtf mood over that small segment ESPN had over people with the name “Pooh”.  I think my favorite part was just seeing Pooh Bear on there.
• Reports says that Chris Kaman and Baron Davis could return next week.  I just hope they don’t make the team worse.
• Last night’s Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and I am still full.
• Tonight’s game is against the Phoenix Suns.  Steve Nash and an army of small forwards versus the NCAA Los Angeles Clippers.
• The Suns blog is also looking for a lead writer so anyone interested should check it out.

And here’s a full recap of last night’s game by Clipsnation and Clipperblog.

That is how it should be.

Tonight, the Kings got wiped off California by the Clippers in the Clippers’ second preseason game.  After a horrible first night, the Clippers were able to bounce back and wreck their division rivals.  The game was not televised and I was not able to find it on the radio through my alarm clock so I followed the boxscore and the game thread on Clipsnation.  I was already having a good night so the Clippers winning was just icing on the cake.

Notes

• Blake Griffin finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, and zero turnovers in 23 minutes of playing time.  He went beastmode and showed the world why he is the number one draft pick.
• Chris Kaman had 20 points but only 2 rebounds and 1 block.  His scoring is consistently high but he needs to stay active on the boards and defense.  I think it’s going to take our caveman some time to adjust to having Blake on the floor with him.  Personally I want to see a reverse role from 2006 when Elton Brand did most of the jumpshooting and offense while Chris Kaman handled the dirty business underneath the basket.  But now, Kaman can take the offensive role and let Blake do all the hustling around the basket.
• Eric Gordon had 12 points in 20 minutes.  I think he needs more rest and time to adjust to playing back in NBA rules.
• Randy Foye led the game in assists with 8.  I never paid attention to Randy Foye so knowing that he can distribute the ball takes eases the mind a bit.  He’ll be a good placeholder until Eric Bledsoe develops more.
• Al-Farouq Aminu takes the surprise of the night with his stat line of 17 points and 8 rebounds.  He also made 2 three pointers in the game.  Some doubt is removed from my mind about him now and I can’t wait until he becomes more consistent and better.
• Craig Smith and Brian Cook (lol) also lifted the second unit with a combined 20 points.
• DeAndre Jordan looked like a scrub today finishing with 1 point, 3 rebounds, and 6 fouls.  I am starting to lose faith in him.
• Baron Davis once again did not play because of conditioning issues.
• Willie Warren and Eric Bledsoe did not play either because of small injuries.  I’m really looking forward to Willie Warren.  If he can play the way he did two years ago, he’ll be a steal of the draft.
• DeMarcus Cousins finished with 15 points and 3 rebounds.  But he also fouled out.  He looks good at times but also very inconsistent.  I don’t see him as a challenge for rookie of the year unless he starts getting consistency out there.
• Tyreke Evans also played less than 10 minutes in the game.

All in all, a good game for Clippers fans.  Something to get us hyped up.  I’m also still getting into my own rhythm in this blogging business.  Anyone got suggestions, you’re more than welcome to leave it in the comments section.

Clipsnation review on tonight’s game, a must read.