Category — Clip Joint
Clips Off The Old Block
January 11, 2013 No Comments
Even The Odds Say They’re Fakers
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Everybody loves a train wreck, particularly when it’s the Lakers. Unless you’re a fan, folks around the country are wetting their pants and dying laughing at what’s become of L.A.’s finest. Remember when Vegas was giving 2-1 odds on the Lakers winning the NBA title? Now, according to VegasInsider.com, they are 12-1. Good luck betting on that.
And if you’re scoring at home (lucky you), the Heat remain the favorites to repeat at 7-4, while the Thunder (3-1) and the Clippers (4-1) are the other best bets.
The Lakers collapsed again tonight against James Harden and the Rockets, and Wednesday they visit the Spurs, who are getting 7-1 odds to win it all.
Friday, it’s back to the Ponderosa, where they will host Kevin Durant and the Thunder.
Some folks still believe they’ll right the ship and make the playoffs. Right now, we’re not 1 of them. Even if they do, they will be bounced in the 1st round. They can’t hide that awful bench. And they can’t hide those huge holes in their defense.
January 8, 2013 No Comments
Sweat(er) Shop
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When you’ve won 14 in a row like the Clippers have, you can pretty much wear whatever you please. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin provide proof after they conquered the Nuggets on Christmas Day in L.A.
December 26, 2012 No Comments
L.A.: Land Of Awful Coaches
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Did we mention Lane Kiffin? Didn’t think so.
Mike D’Antoni is taking a beating and you know well what we think of “Has” Ben Howland. Vinny Del Negro isn’t the greatest either, but sometimes good teams cover their inefficiencies on the bench.
Which brings us to USC’s Kevin O’Neill, the worst of them all. And that’s saying something considering how bad Howland is.
But we won’t waste our breath on O’Neill. Fortunately, the wonderful Evan Barnes blew him out of the water.
Rant Sports
December 11, 2012 No Comments
Best In L.A.
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The Clip Joint is smoking out of the gate. With a strong lineup, and unlike the Lakers, a productive bench, they are off to a 6-2 start and lead the Pacific Division. Led by the pickup of the year, Jamal Crawford, who finished with 22 points on 7 of 11 shooting to beat the Heat Wednesday night, they have instant offense and a significant up-tempo attack.
LeBron went for 30 against the Clippers, but D-Wade, who is hurting again, managed just 6 points on 2 of 10 attempts and ate some leather when Eric Bledsoe rejected a layup.
Five Clippers scored in double figures, including Blake Griffin, who had 20, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks.
It’s early, but we like what we see from 2nd city.
November 15, 2012 No Comments
On The Chuck Wagon
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How do you get tired of doing nothing?
Charles Barkley weary of his night job at TNT? Quit and I can only imagine the long line to sit in that big-ass chair.
Barkley cries to writer Richard Deitsch about the need for challenges to continue his NBA studio analyst role at the network. Could we recommend doing some research now and then?
SI.com
November 5, 2012 No Comments
Instant Karma
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Did we mention the Lakers have lost 11 in a row since this cable dispute started in L.A.? Didn’t think so.
As an annoyed DirecTV customer, I figured I’d relieve some stress earlier this week regarding its ongoing failure to agree to a deal with Time Warner Cable to air Laker games. The latter holds all of the cards and rights to Laker broadcasts.
As I noted earlier, more than 2 million L.A.-area DirecTV subscribers are unable to view Laker games, with the exception of the ones telecast on ESPN, TNT or Prime Ticket. It’s a total of 57 games. Or now it’s 56 remaining.
Prime Ticket broadcast last night’s defeat to the Clippers, who sent the Lakers reeling to an 0-3 start. No truth to the rumor Mike Brown needed a police escort out of Staples Center afterward.
This was the response I got from Robert Mercer, a spokesman for DirecTV.
“Sorry you feel that way, but look, we’re just trying to get a deal that isn’t going to drive everybody’s monthly bill into the stratosphere and that’s where we’re headed with all these sports rights costs. It would not be responsible to manage the business any other way. Hope you understand that and will stay tuned. We’re still in discussions with them. Thanks. Robert.”
My response: “And DirecTV is going to prevent all of that, right? Please. Spoken like a true company flack. You’ve rehearsed your lines well.”
Of course he didn’t respond to that. I wouldn’t have either.
Meanwhile, suicide hotlines are full of panic-stricken members of Laker Nation. The Lakers will try again Sunday, when they host the Pistons. We won’t be able to see.
Chick Hearn wouldn’t have allowed this.
November 3, 2012 No Comments
Happy Halloween: Tricks And Treats
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This gem comes from our friends at BustedCoverage. Cheers!
October 31, 2012 No Comments
Back-To-Back?
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Questions always consume NBA fans on opening night. And they will have more as the season dribbles along. Can the Heat repeat as champs? Can the Lakers win the West? Can the Thunder continue to be the best in the West after trading James Harden? Or will the Nuggets emerge? In the East, can any club seriously challenge the Heat?
We know this. LeBron and the Heat are the favorites (7-4) to win it all again, while the Lakers (2-1) are the No. 2 pick. The Thunder (7-2) are the No. 3 choice, but after that it gets dicey.
Vegas Insider
October 30, 2012 No Comments
Channel Island
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Lost in the excitement of opening night is Laker fans with DirectTV are 1 day away from being blacked out from local telecasts. Tonight’s NBA games, starting with Celtics-Heat and followed by Mavs-Lakers, will be broadcast on TNT. On Wednesday, though, the Lakers visit the Blazers. That will be 1 the initial contest on Time Warner Cable, the regional sports channel in L.A. which DirectTV has refused to come to terms with on a broadcast deal. Just another case of the fans getting screwed.
Again, if you’re a DirectTV customer, like me and more than 2 million more Angelenos, call or email Robert Mercer at (310) 964-4683 or RGMercer@directv.com.
October 30, 2012 No Comments
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