In a post-game interview following the Los Angeles Clippers’ sixth consecutive loss, Paul George expressed his frustration with the officiating in the close match against the Denver Nuggets.
“It’s tough, the adversity of playing against the extra three. I thought they were awful.”
“It was bad. Five free throws is very disrespectful on this night. So many times I got hit on layups, three-pointers, it was constant.”
“Jumpshots, getting hit, smacked on the forearm. I mean, it was poor, a poor job. But, again, we got to be able to beat these guys on their floor and not rely on that. Again, they calling something on one end, they got to call it on the other.”
More of Paul George's frustrations on officiating in Denver tonight. He called getting five FT attempts "very disrespectful." pic.twitter.com/AyV7auHZa1
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) November 15, 2023
George didn’t hold back, labeling the officials as “awful” and suggesting that the Clippers were playing against an “extra three” due to questionable calls. Despite his discontent with the referees, George acknowledged the team’s need to perform better and not rely on officiating decisions.
George criticized the referees, describing the situation as “bad” and deeming the five free throws awarded to the Clippers as “disrespectful.” He highlighted numerous instances where he felt fouled on layups, three-pointers, and jump shots, emphasizing the inconsistency in the officiating.
The foul count was notably lopsided, with the Clippers called for 24 fouls compared to the Nuggets’ 19. This resulted in the Nuggets having 32 free throw attempts, converting 25, while the Clippers had 24 attempts, making 21. The second half further exacerbated the free throw discrepancy, with the Nuggets attempting 21 free throws compared to the Clippers’ 10 in the same period. George’s frustration reflects not only on the outcome of the game but also on the perceived imbalance in officiating that impacted the Clippers’ performance.
Shaquille O’Neal Wasn’t Impressed With Clippers’ Late Game Tactics
Shaquille O’Neal, providing his analysis on TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA,’ expressed strong criticism of the LA Clippers’ performance against the Denver Nuggets. Despite the close 108-111 loss, O’Neal saw little to applaud in the Clippers’ efforts. He particularly focused on the team’s late-game tactics, denouncing what he referred to as “Hero Ball,” especially singling out Paul George’s stepback attempts.
O’Neal argued that the Clippers’ approach, waiting until late in the game to mount a comeback, is not a winning strategy for a championship-caliber team. According to O’Neal, the team’s reliance on individual plays and heroics, as exemplified by Paul George’s stepback shots, is not a formula for success in pursuing a championship.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1724670774043189463
The critique from O’Neal echoed a sentiment shared by Charles Barkley, who suggested that the Clippers might need a trade to address their current struggles, particularly following the acquisitions of Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The analysis from NBA veterans like O’Neal and Barkley underscores concerns about the Clippers’ late-game approach and the need for strategic adjustments to achieve success in the league.
Shaquille O’Neal Was Bemused By Ty Lue’s Small Ball Tactics Against Nikola Jokic
Shaquille O’Neal didn’t mince words as he criticized LA Clippers coach Ty Lue for what he deemed an ineffective adjustment against the Denver Nuggets, particularly in dealing with Nikola Jokic. The Clippers, who are currently struggling with a six-game losing streak, faced the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, and came up short in a 111-108 defeat.
O’Neal pointed to Ty Lue’s decision to go with a small-ball strategy, emphasizing that this approach wasn’t suitable for countering the dominance of Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets’ center showcased his skills with an impressive near-triple-double performance, amassing 32 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists.
Shaquille O’Neal emphasized that Jokic is not an average big man, and the Clippers’ attempts to exploit a disadvantage in pick-and-roll situations didn’t work as intended. The critique suggested that Ty Lue’s choice of strategy, particularly in deploying a smaller lineup, was a key factor in the Clippers’ inability to secure a victory. The loss leaves the Clippers with a challenging record amid ongoing concerns about their performance and strategic decisions on the court.
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