Warriors-Timberwolves brawl fallout; Clippers showing slow signs of progression
There was a game-changing scuffle in the NBA last night. Are the Clippers making progress?
There is no question that Draymond Green is the most divisive player in the NBA right now. Each season, he discovers fresh methods to surpass expectations on the court, and last night's game against the Timberwolves was no different.
The game was still scoreless, and not even two minutes had passed when a confrontation erupted between Golden State's Klay Thompson and Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels near mid-court. Gobert grabbed Thompson before Green rushed in and pulled Gobert away from behind with his arm around the center’s neck.
In the midst of the tussle, Thompson's jersey was torn, causing Green to be ejected granting Gobert two free throws.
Green forcefully put Gobert in a chokehold on the court, prompting the NBA referees to immediately eject him from the game. It is the second time this season he has been ejected. After the game, officials revealed why Green was given a flagrant two after the conflict.
“He aggressively put Gobert in a headlock and refuses to let go,” Crew Chief Tyler Ford said. “This is unnecessary and excessive conduct which meets the standard for a flagrant foul penalty 2.”
Green was not the sole player to be ejected in the game between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. In addition to that, officials provided a reason for the ejections of both Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels.
“Both players were involved in an altercation that didn’t immediately dissolve, and their actions warranted an ejection,” Tyler Ford said.
Out of all the people involved in the immense confrontation, Rudy Gobert was the only one who managed to avoid getting ejected. In order to dispel any notion that Gobert was an instigator in the situation, NBA officials promptly provided a thorough explanation.
“Gobert was attempting to separate Thompson and McDaniels and was ruled to be a peacemaker,” Tyler Ford said. “We reviewed all other players and acts, and no other unsportsmanlike acts were observed.”
The question of whether or not Draymond Green will be suspended for his actions last night is still up in the air, but given his track record, it wouldn't be shocking. It is only a matter of time before the NBA must firmly communicate its disapproval of his actions, as this behavior cannot be allowed to persist. The league has found itself in a delicate situation when it comes to Green, acknowledging both his fiery playing style and the unsportsmanlike actions he has engaged in.
In light of this, it is imperative to communicate a more significant message to Draymond Green. (1) The person in question has a history of repeating offenses. (2) The behavior displayed here is considered conduct that is detrimental to the NBA. So, I will call it what it is; there needs to be discomfort for Green and the Warriors, who have their issues with a 6-6 record and four consecutive losses after last night’s loss to the Timberwolves.
While in the process of writing this article, breaking news has emerged stating that Draymond Green is set to serve a suspension of five games and face a substantial fine of $769,970. Klay Thompson, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert will each face a fine of 25K as a result of their involvement.
Los Angeles Clippers show faint progress
Among the six consecutive losses that the LA team faced during their 3-7 start, it can be confidently stated that this specific game was the most easily predictable, regardless of where you looked for predictions. Furthermore, it is evident that a majority of analysts or experts did not have faith in the Clippers' ability to secure a win over the Denver Nuggets. In Denver, the Clippers, who have been grappling with significant obstacles, have faced a string of defeats, losing five games consecutively.
Along with their inability to secure a victory away from home, the Clippers have been defeated by teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies during the month of November. It is worth mentioning that since the acquisition of James Harden on October 31st, the Los Angeles Clippers have not been able to secure a victory.
The occurrence of six consecutive losses is considered an absolute dilemma for any NBA team. The team's recent performance has been disheartening, especially given the acquisition of former MVP James Harden and the fact that they have suffered six consecutive losses. Lack of size, speed, and youth is a consistent problem for the Clippers. As it stands currently in the NBA season, the Clippers find themselves in this situation but rest assured, this matter can be resolved.
Although Harden is clearly using games as a way to compensate for missing practices and training camp, the other core starters are experiencing a chaotic situation. George's night in Denver was a mix of success and frustration as he scored, but also dealt with the annoyance of a wedgie. After missing a fast-break opportunity and struggling to make shots, he received a technical foul in the first half. He missed five of his last six shots altogether during this time. One of the problems that frequently occurred was that in the late-game offense, George would often resort to chucking the ball and trying to draw contact, even when the referees were not calling fouls. In the fourth quarter, George made a total of 11 field goals, whereas the remaining members of the team only had the opportunity to attempt eight shots.
Despite being often criticized, Harden had an exceptional performance as a member of the Clippers, achieving his highest-scoring game by scoring 21 points, providing four assists, and making three 3-pointers. The third quarter saw Harden contribute ten points throughout the entire period. In the presence of Harden, George's scoring output reached its peak, as he made an impressive 13 field goals - the highest of the season - and single-handedly propelled LA's offense in an outstanding first half with 20 points.
As of Tuesday's game, the LA team was leading the league in steals and they added ten more steals to their tally. One of the crucial steals was made by Leonard, who intercepted a poorly thought-out pass by Jokić in the backcourt. This steal proved to be significant as it allowed the Clippers to maintain the game within one possession in the final 20 seconds. The Clippers, in a surprising turn of events since Harden's debut, emerged victorious in the possession battle, outscoring their opponents with a 14-6 lead in offensive rebounds and a 14-11 lead in takeaways.
In all of their losses, the Clippers consistently have periods where they compete and play well, regardless of whether it is at the start of games or when they have to come back from a significant point deficit. Despite their talent, the Clippers have been struggling with a problem of winning games consistently. The talent is unmistakable and undeniable. An issue that existed prior to the Harden trade was the team's small size and their struggles in knowing how to effectively close games. However, understanding the issues or the duration of their existence provides little consolation. Any type of win, regardless of the circumstances, is what they desperately need at the moment.
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