Execution vs Coaching: How the Clippers Let a Game Slip Away

Head coach Ty Lue with Coach JVG.

Execution vs Coaching: How the Clippers Let a Game Slip Away

As I reflect on the Clippers’ loss to the Spurs, I didn’t mind the lead shrinking from 25 points. The Spurs are an elite team. A strong push from them in the third and fourth quarters was expected.

What I question is Coach Ty Lue’s in-game decisions.

De’Aaron Fox drove to the basket four or five times and scored the exact same way, with no defensive adjustment from the bench. At that level, a coach has to intervene. When a player keeps attacking the same weakness successfully, something has to change.

The Clippers fought their way back and put themselves in position to win the game. That’s what makes the final sequence even more frustrating.

With about 16 seconds left, Ty Lue inserted Nicolas Batum. In that moment, the team did not need a three-pointer. They needed the ball in Kawhi Leonard’s hands and a clean two-point look.

The inbound play broke down.

Batum inbounded the ball knowing the play was designed to get the ball to Kawhi. But after making the pass, he did not position himself to receive the ball back. Lopez saw the simplest way to get the ball to Kawhi was to return it to Batum — but Batum was still out of bounds.

Turnover.

Down two on the final possession, the defense actually did its job. Twice in the final minute the Clippers boxed out Victor Wembanyama properly. But boxing out is only half the job. Someone still has to pursue the ball.

The rebound was within reach. No one hustled to secure it.

Game over.

The players executed parts of the fundamentals, the box out, the defensive positioning, but the instinct to finish the play by securing the ball was missing.

That ultimately falls on coaching.

Ty Lue is a championship coach, but in this game his stock went down.

A precious contribution by: Dr. Leo Gilling. Many thanks.