 Lawler |
Please note: Lawler's thoughts and opinions are his and his alone. In no way do they necessarily reflect those of the Los Angeles Clippers organization. (But we listen to him anyway because he's the "Voice of the Clippers.")
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Ralph,
I've been a Clippers fan for about four years now and I know how good a free throw shooter Cat Mobley is. Saying this, how could the referees in the game against the rockets only give him two shots when he was clearly fouled while taking a three point shot? I think they should go to an NFL type format for at least the last minute of games so they can get calls right.
Steven Lane, Los Angeles, CA
Steven –
I can see where the ref right by Cat was looking up at the shot to see if he was fouled. That ref might not be able to see his feet clearly well behind the line, but one of the other two officials certainly should have seen it. That’s the only game the Clippers have lost in their last 7 and it could have a big impact on the play-off race. I love the NFL format. You lose your appeal and you lose a time-out. Seems fair to me.
- Ralph
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Hi Ralph,
After Wednesday's game against the Rockets on ESPN, do you think video replay reviews should be allowed in the NBA like in the NFL? If Mobley got the three free throws he should have had at the end of the game, we could have won it!
J. Chen, San Diego, CA
J. –
Even before that game, Coach Dunleavy had gone on record by saying he thought there should be some type of replay available in the final two minutes of a game. That game proved it.
- Ralph
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Hi Ralph,
If the Clippers tie with Golden State at the end of the season, who gets the tie-breaker and how is it determined?
Mark Le, CA
Mark –
As of right now, the Clippers would win the tie-breaker. The first deciding factor is record against each other. It is even at 2-2. The second tie-breaker is record within your own division. In that case, the Clippers have the edge with a 5-7 record vs Golden State’s 5-10. The Clips have 4 games remaining vs Pacific Division rivals: Lakers (2), Phoenix and Sacramento. Those games are all very important.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I try to never miss you and Mike - you guys are terrific! I'm such a Clippers fan that my wife knows by just the smile or frown on my face who won!
My question to you Ralph is: Have you ever coached or do you have an interest in coaching? Often I think you see things that the coaches miss! I believe you and Mike would make excellent coaches. Let me know your thoughts. I don't own a team, but if I did I'd make you the coach & Mike the assistant! Keep up your great work and "Lets go to the playoffs."
Richard Bernstein, La Habra Heights, CA
Richard –
I was interested in coaching as a young player in high school. The only bad advice my dad ever gave me was: “Son, there’s no money in coaching.”
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Why doesn't Coach Dunleavy use a deeper rotation? I realize that it is late in the season, but why not give Korolev a shot?
Jomo Walker, Denver, CO
Jomo –
Coach Dunleavy typically uses 8-10 players a night. Phoenix seldom goes deeper than eight. Dallas uses 10 almost every game. It depends on the coach and the depth of a team’s talent. Korolev does not get minutes yet because the coach does not feel the 19-year-old player is ready to help the team win.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
I'm a Clippers fan in Japan and I have been watching some games on TV. And I noticed from watching the games that Elton Brand hasn't been playing so well this season compared to last year. We all know that Elton Brand was on fire last year. So what do you think happend to him?
Also, I'm really sad about Shaun's injury, but at the same time, Corey has been able to play so much more. And he is responding well in all of the games that he's played so far. Do you think that Corey has potential but he didn't have the opportunity to show it in the begining of this season?
Thanks Ralph,
Shota Kondo, Tokyo
Shota –
I think Elton brand is doing just fine. He’s still a 20-10 player and that’s what he’s been most of his career. Something clicked for Corey after the All-Star break. The opportunity for him to play this way has always been there. I’m really happy he has seized that opportunity.
- Ralph
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Hey Ralph,
Although the Clippers are my favorite team of all time, I wanted to know your thoughts on certain players in the league.
One of course is Kobe. What do you think about him as a player and him being said to be the greatest offense player of all time?
The other is Dikembe Mutumbo, I saw his special on ESPN and he seems like the nicest, most generous person in the league as well as having a great sense of humor.
And last, our very own Cat Mobley. I’ve seen a lot of players in this league but none seems to be as passionate and loving to his teammates as Cat. He has to be playing the best ball of his Clipper career right now. Anyways I just wanted to hear your thoughts.
SEE YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS!
Andrew Papazian, Valencia, CA
Andrew –
- Ralph
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Hi Ralph,
Are the players always competitive with each other when they're not on the court? Like, do they wager on games of horse and such? Thanks for your time.
Tim Olivas, Whittier, CA
Tim –
They are highly competitive. Some of the shooting games at practice are as competitive as a play-off game. Some of the guys will wager on anything.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Don't you think you should get a little more camera time? I do. Also, don't you think Chris Kaman is the best player ever?! Go Kaman!
Rick Zwirn, Glendora, CA
Rick –
To answer your questions in order: Yes and No.
- Ralph
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Ralph,
Recently with Jason Hart's recent signing, and the fact he plays not only with determination to get the job done (that is to win games), but with a calmness I've only seen in Sam Cassell. My question to you Ralph is: Would the nickname Hitman Hart, be a good one?
Ronald Pang, Riverside, CA
Ronald –
Not Bad. Call him what you want, he’s a tremendous addition to the Clipper roster.
- Ralph
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Dear Ralph,
Do you think if Sam works out over the summer he can come back and have less missed games next year then this year?
Taylor Moxon, Long Beach, CA
Taylor –
Yes I think he can return as a very effective player next year. His days of playing 35-minutes a night may be over, but he can still be a valuable asset.
- Ralph
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