While they had quickly recovered the advantage of the field, and seemed to have their hands on the series, the clippers are finally eliminated in the first round after a one -way game 7. It’s cruel since the series may have played on this Dunk at the Aaron Gordon buzzer in the 4th round.
On arrival, it is a third elimination in a follow -up to the first round, and it is the first time that Tyronn Lue has lost a Game 7 in career. Until then, the former Cavaliers coach had a 4-0 assessment in the seventh matches of a series of playoffs.
“I find that we had entered the match, with a good state of mind. Then they went into zone defense, and it made us a little static in attack ” regrets the clippers coach. “We attacked well at the start, but this area really slowed us down. Defensively, we did not put enough pressure, we were not close enough to the guys. They managed to dissect us little by little. »»
The Clippers have foiled the forecasts
For the moment, the glass is half empty for Tyronn Lue and his players, a few minutes after elimination, but the 2016 NBA champion really has the feeling that his training has achieved a great season.
“We have exceeded the expectations of many people. But internally, we aimed much higher. It’s hard to think about it now, just after elimination. But all those in this locker room contributed, in their own way. We had to win 35 games according to the forecasts, and we won 50. We finished 5th and we play against a very good team. Tonight is just a big disillusionment, everyone feels it. »»
Tyronn Lue insists, but at the time of “training camp”, it was complicated to assess his training, and it is true that in a western conference as raised, it was difficult to imagine them ending in 5th place.
A period of 18 wins in 21 matches
“It goes back far now … But from the training camp, we didn’t have Kawhi, and we didn’t know when he returned. James really directed the group well at the start. Norm had a record season, just like Zubac. James kept the team afloat until Kawhi’s return, and once Kawhi has regained his usual level, we really chained, with 18 wins on 21 games. It was a great series. Throughout the year, we held together, we supported each other. I am proud of the guys, all that we have accomplished collectively. Winning 50 games is not nothing. Losing like that in a game 7 is very disappointing. »»
And what did he say to his players in the locker room after this “big disillusionment”?
“I just asked the guys to come together, I told them individually. It is a difficult defeat. We have clearly not played our best basketball in such an important situation. There was a lot of emotions. I told them to come so that we all squeeze together. We will talk about it tomorrow. »»
