[Game] 44/82: Kings vs. Heat 20 JAN 2026, 7pm PT/10pm ET

[Jdbraver137]

In some ways but Clifford isn't too far off.

In all ways. Clifford has the nod in playmaking or I think he has more potential though.

 

[Sluggah]

DDR chippy lately

 

[Jdbraver137]

No matter the personnel, this teams 3-point defense gets worse.

Mostly it’s just terrible rotations and lack of communication.

 

[SacTownKid]

Flagrant 1 is a surprise. No way that can't get upgraded after the game.

 

[Jdbraver137]

DDR chippy lately

I think he just want to be traded and is frustrated

 

[SacTownKid]

DDR chippy lately

Lots of disrespect in trade chatter lately.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Moak with the sad "three" call for LaVine.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Well Booger

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Clifford is a tough one. He's not getting a lot of opportunities to be a focal point in the offense but he's getting opportunity to play. The question is what the heck is he? Not really a defender. Certainly not in pick and roll. Not really a shooter. Not really a lead guard. Doesn't seem to have a knack in drawing contact. He's one of those not really in a lot of areas types. He at times reminds me of Mo Evans. The only concerning thing so far is his defensive awareness at times is something normally seen out of players much younger than him.

He really needs his shooting to improve to have a good chance to stick beyond the rookie deal. He'll make one here and there, but rarely is able to get on any kind of a roll.

I would bet on Devin Carter eventually carving out a more impactful role than him, because of his great defensive ability

 

[SacTownKid]

In all ways. Clifford has the nod in playmaking or I think he has more potential though.

Evans was mostly all bounce. Clifford has some decent bounce. Right now, Clifford is essentially playing like a utility guard that is going to stand around and wait even if that's not what he ends up being. Evans carved out his early role in a similar way, using his foot speed to sneak in off the rebound, or cut here and there. He is at times very indecisive with the ball. Early on Evans was another one of those types that you forget they're even out there. He did end up finding a decent niche once his 3's started to fall consistently.

 

[Shaqfuey]

I don’t understand how Levine gets 12 in no time and then barely touches the ball the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the tank twins Westbrook and DDR dominate the ball (again). I know a lot are happy with the loss, but it’s tiring to watch.

 

[Jdbraver137]

Evans was mostly all bounce. Clifford has some decent bounce. Right now, Clifford is essentially playing like a utility guard that is going to stand around and wait even if that's not what he ends up being. Evans carved out his early role in a similar way, using his foot speed to sneak in off the rebound, or cut here and there. He is at times very indecisive with the ball. Early on Evans was another one of those types that you forget they're even out there. He did end up finding a decent niche once his 3's started to fall consistently.

I don’t really see the comparison between the two. But ok.

 

[Rob-The-Great]

I don’t understand how Levine gets 12 in no time and then barely touches the ball the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the tank twins Westbrook and DDR dominate the ball (again). I know a lot are happy with the loss, but it’s tiring to watch.

Happends every game.

Say what you want about lavine but the man can score the basketball. Im starting to hate those two. Its unhealthy lol

 

[NewArena]

Happends every game.

Say what you want about lavine but the man can score the basketball. Im starting to hate those two. Its unhealthy lol

LaVine disappears on his own. I wouldn’t blame anyone else, personally.

 

[Shaqfuey]

LaVine disappears on his own. I wouldn’t blame anyone else, personally.

It’s hard to get up shots when the others dominate the ball. Even harder when you’re on the bench due to bizarre rotations.

 

[ESP47]

LaVine is annoying because his 1 on 1 man defense is really solid. It's just he has no idea what to do once his man no longer has the ball.

Outside of Cardwell, that was difficult to watch. Still, the Heat only won because they were hot from outside. Game is pretty much tied if they shoot 40% instead of 50% from 3.

 

[The_Jamal]

LaVine is annoying because his 1 on 1 man defense is really solid. It's just he has no idea what to do once his man no longer has the ball.

Outside of Cardwell, that was difficult to watch. Still, the Heat only won because they were hot from outside. Game is pretty much tied if they shoot 40% instead of 50% from 3.

Kind of realizing over these last 5 or 6 games that individual games are so heavily decided by 3pt shooting variance. Heat shoot 50%? They win. 3 playoff teams shoot below 23%? They lose to a crappy 8 win team

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Kind of realizing over these last 5 or 6 games that individual games are so heavily decided by 3pt shooting variance. Heat shoot 50%? They win. 3 playoff teams shoot below 23%? They lose to a crappy 8 win team

It's always generally been a make or miss league. At times we try to make it more complicated than that

 

[SacTownKid]

I don’t really see the comparison between the two. But ok.

I said at times, in particular usage and with their pace, the producivity and minutes is pretty similar right now as well largely due to role. Kind of bulky big guard, some hops, no real calling card, not super productive. Early on Evans did some of the same stuff on the boards and just kind of running around at a controlled pace (not fast not slow) looking for a spot on the floor to be. He averaged over 3 boards in about the same minutes too. Sneaking in and getting some boards, spreading, being involved once and awhile. Will they end up with the same career arc? I don't know but their usage is very similar with similar results at the start. Also a strange thing I didn't realize is that Evans' next team were the Pistons which Perry was with at the time IIRC in player personnel.

 

[Jdbraver137]

I said at times, in particular usage and with their pace, the producivity and minutes is pretty similar right now as well largely due to role. Kind of bulky big guard, some hops, no real calling card, not super productive. Early on Evans did some of the same stuff on the boards and just kind of running around at a controlled pace (not fast not slow) looking for a spot on the floor to be. He averaged over 3 boards in about the same minutes too. Sneaking in and getting some boards, spreading, being involved once and awhile. Will they end up with the same career arc? I don't know but their usage is very similar with similar results at the start. Also a strange thing I didn't realize is that Evans' next team were the Pistons which Perry was with at the time IIRC in player personnel.

I mean that may be all true but I think a lot of player go through that upon entering the league. Evan’s was a bit of an older rookie too. I hope Nique turn out to have a better career than Evan’s, but he is definetly behind the other rooks.

 

[SacTownKid]

I mean that may be all true but I think a lot of player go through that upon entering the league. Evan’s was a bit of an older rookie too. I hope Nique turn out to have a better career than Evan’s, but he is definetly behind the other rooks.

Hopefully but credit where credit is due, Evans ended up with a pretty solid career for a role guy. If Nique could have that kind of career coming from the college conference he did that would be a big win for him.

 

[Jdbraver137]

Hopefully but credit where credit is due, Evans ended up with a pretty solid career for a role guy. If Nique could have that kind of career coming from the college conference he did that would be a big win for him.

I think we can judge him one way or the other after he hopefully gets a lot of playing time the rest of the year.