Clipper-Spurs in Mexico City

Some thoughts on the first televised Clippers preseason game, against the Spurs in Mexico City:

Energy -- The Clippers came out with great energy on both ends. Led by Blake Griffin's activity all over the court and on the glass, they got stops on defense and executed on the fast break. When they got into the half court against San Antonio's zone, they moved the ball crisply -- again, led by Griffin -- for open shots. Chris Kaman and Griffin combined for 29 boards, and their effort might have yielded more had they not been facing Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair. The team shot 49% from the floor in the first half.

In the third quarter, the Clippers shot 4 for 19, to let the Spurs back into the game they eventually lost. Turnovers (22) and lots of missed jumpers from guys like Foye and Cook (more on them in a minute) were to blame for a loss that illustrates the fine line between harnessing the team's energy and allowing it to take you out of a game against a team like the Spurs.


New Guys (Vets) -- The trio of Foye, Gomes and Cook combined to shoot 3 for 20. They got most of the minutes for their roles, at the expense of DeAndre Jordan, (seven minutes) Al-Farouq Aminu (four), and Eric Bledsoe (three). Foye was aggressive in looking for his jumpshot off screens, which was short most of the night. He will likely be the first guard off the bench, but his minutes should go down as Baron Davis gets back into shape. Tonight, he was actually taking many shots similar to the ones Baron was (smartly) passing up.

Gomes didn't shoot well, but he was taking open threes, and we know he will be at least a decent 3-point shooter (37% last two seasons). He is a smart player and should be a perfect fit in the starting five. Cook really looks to shoot, and tonight he was actually pretty active on the glass (five rebounds) and took two charges. In general, I'd rather see DeAndre Jordan than Cook, and especially in the preseason. Tonight, D.J. did what D.J. does, and really, what we hope he can do consistently. He went 3 for 3 from the floor, all dunks, and only committed one foul in his seven minutes. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to see what he could do in more extended minutes.

New Guys (Rookies) -- It would have been nice to see Aminu more. His development has to be a priority, and I'd imagine he would benefit more from playing than watching Rasual Butler shoot 13 times. Then again, Rasual hit six of 10 threes, so maybe Vinny Del Negro wanted Aminu to watch and learn. There is also something to be said for trying to win games, preseason or not, and Del Negro may simply feel that Butler gives him a better shot. Bledsoe has been hurt and Baron is still coming back from surgery so Foye's big minutes make sense.


Baron Davis -- Baron took two shots-- two!-- both made threes, in about 16 minutes of his first game action this preseason. He passed up plenty of looks that he may have taken, but the result was seven assists and true floor leadership. After his opening basket, long-distance alley-oop to Blake, he looked like a man truly energized by his high-flying teammate, eager to feed the beast. He had already developed an impressive rapport with Kaman last season, but Griffin and a more assertive Gordon give Davis a bounty of appealing options on every possession. If he can stay healthy and continue to play with the discipline he showed tonight, the Clippers offense could be dynamic.

Blake Griffin -- Tonight's line was 13 points and 17 rebounds against one of the best young big men in the league (Blair) and Tim Duncan. His presence is the reason why you would be silly to dismiss the potential of this team, even coming off of a 29-win season. They may have to win 50 games to make the playoffs in the crowded West, but close games tend to go to the team that plays winning basketball consistently, and Griffin leads a core of Gordon, Kaman and Baron that is capable of doing that. It's what Del Negro means when he talks about playing the right way, a team that battles for rebounds, finishes possessions on defense and makes the extra pass. A huge improvement is not impossible if this team can stay healthy.

Health is the operative word and, frankly, watching him play, it seems like it's going to a constant state of held breath. He does things that I have never seen, and it's hard not to think about how often he subjects himself to injury with the amazing physical moves me makes.

Eric Gordon -- A cool 23 for Eric Gordon, on a night in which he struggled from three but found a way to carry the load offensively. He got to the line for 12 free throws, and was as assertive as we have hoped for, finding a variety of ways to score coming off his big summer with Team USA. In an ideal situation, he may be the Clippers'"third option" on offense, with Baron Davis as a distributor working through Kaman and Griffin. But the beneficiary of that system would be Gordon, with more room to work on the outside than he has enjoyed yet in his first two seasons.