LOS ANGELES — Down 24 at the end of the third quarter to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, the LA Clippers heard their first boos of the game, before walking off their home floor at the end to more jeers.
Saying they got what they deserved for just showing up for an early 12:30 p.m. PT start time and thinking they would win, the Clippers were embarrassed by the Grizzlies 140-114 in an alarming loss at home.
“We’re not a great team,” forward Montrezl Harrell said when asked how a great team maintains a positive mindset. “That’s, I think, one thing that you all need to get out your minds. We’re not a great team. We just [came] together this year. We have two players that haven’t been a part of this team. We have a player who won an NBA championship with a whole ‘nother team last year.
“So we’re not a great team, that’s No. 1 right there,” Harrell continued. “That’s what we need to realize and wake up. We’re still a team that needs to figure out things we need to do to win, night in and night out.”
Harrell, who led the Clippers with 28 points and nine rebounds, was also asked about the vibe in the locker room.
“I don’t know, brother,” Harrell responded. “I don’t know. And that might be another problem right there.”
Even though they were without starters Paul George (left hamstring tightness) and Patrick Beverley (sprained right wrist) on Saturday, the Clippers have been inconsistent and haven’t played their best since taking an inspired 111-106 victory on Christmas night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Clippers (25-12) lost for just the fourth time at home, but the 140 points was the most a Kawhi Leonard team has ever surrendered.
“We’ve had a lot of wake-up calls [this season],” said Leonard, who scored 24 points but shot just 8-for-24 and was assessed a technical foul at halftime for arguing with an official over a non-call. “I feel like it’s the middle of the season and some of the mistakes that we are making, we shouldn’t be making at this time.
“We going to keep getting better,” Leonard added. “I feel like guys want to win and get better. I feel like we are still going to get better.”
The Clippers are 14-4 this season when Leonard and George both play. But including Saturday’s loss, the Clippers are just 11-8 when one of their All-Stars is out. Clippers coach Doc Rivers said it is a concern that the team has had a full healthy roster available only once all season, against the Lakers on Christmas, with players shuffling in and out because of injuries and little to no practice time due to the schedule.
The Clippers are 2-2 since their Christmas victory and 5-5 in their past 10 games.
“I’m not alarmed because our record is terrific,” Rivers said. “I just don’t think right now we’re ready yet and I see that. I just don’t want us to think we’re good enough yet. Because we’re not. That’s what I was saying before the game. I [just] didn’t think I would be right today, though.”
The Clippers play again at home Sunday in another 12:30 p.m. PT tip against the New York Knicks, and they know if they take the Knicks lightly, they could hear more boos from the home fans.
“Either we wake up and figure it out right now,” Harrell said, “or we’re just gonna have a full up-and-down season for the whole year.”
When asked if he’s feeling a sense of urgency, Harrell added: “I am. Us as a team, that should wake you up, to give up 20-plus points on your home court floor and get embarrassed, have your home [crowd] booing you walking off the floor, that should wake anybody up.”
Source : ESPN
