It was not a feel-good few weeks for the Clippers.
There were injuries, an assault allegation involving Blake Griffin, and lots of uneven play from the starters and reserves alike.
Something did eventually go right in the preseason. It ended.
The Clippers’ 99-89 exhibition loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at Staples Center was a fitting conclusion to a preseason in which they finished 2-6.
The season that matters starts Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Things can only get better for the Clippers. Or so they hope.
The Clippers held a pre-planned team meeting after the game.
“It wasn’t about the way we played in preseason, it’s just where we’re going,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said. “We talked about the 82 games and how hard it’s going to be for everyone in the West.”
Griffin scored 21 points on an efficient 10-for-17 shooting night but didn’t get nearly enough support. J.J. Redick (12 points) was the only other Clippers starter in double figures scoring.
Clippers guard Jamal Crawford sat out, describing himself as “a little banged up.” Predictably, the Clippers’ second unit struggled to score without him, except for Jared Cunningham (12 points).
Another area of concern: The Clippers were outrebounded in every preseason game.
“It’s hard to win games when the other team keeps getting extra shots, so that’s a very big concern of mine,” Rivers said.
“I have to figure out something to make us a better rebounding team.”
Clippers backup point guard Jordan Farmar had four points and five rebounds in 23 minutes in his return from lower back tightness that had sidelined him the previous two games.
Damian Lillard had 21 points for Portland, which was missing All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge (groin).
Survey says
The NBA general managers have spoken, and they expended plenty of words on the Clippers.
In their annual survey, 81.5% of the executives picked the Clippers to win a third consecutive Pacific Division title. The Clippers also finished third in voting to win the Western Conference (behind San Antonio and Oklahoma City) and were tied with Chicago for third in voting to win the NBA Finals (behind San Antonio and Cleveland).
Griffin and Chris Paul were the only players from the same team to receive votes for most valuable player. Paul was selected the top point guard, top active player to make the best head coach and the player with the highest basketball IQ. Griffin tied Portland’s Aldridge for the best power forward in the league and was second in voting for most athletic player.
Rivers was picked the second-best manager/motivator among coaches, trailing only San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.
Twitter: @latbbolch
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
