Blake Griffin says the LA Clippers are being harder on themselves about great defense than anything else right now. And so far, it’s working.
What’s driven the LA Clippers to their 2-0 start this season? More so than Blake Griffin looking brilliant in his return, it’s been an increased level of physicality, intensity, rebounding, and impressive second unit defense that has been fuelling this team’s effort so far. All the talent they have aside, the starters are yet to find their full offensive rhythm and efficiency. But the Clippers have been thoroughly impressive in other aspects of the game.
Specifically, they want to place more emphasis on being a top defensive team. Last season, they ranked 4th in defensive efficiency, a drastic increase from ranking 15th in 2014-15. Now, after holding the Utah Jazz to just 39.7 percent shooting and forcing 18 turnovers in a 88-75 win, the Clippers are 4th in defensive efficiency yet again at the start of the new season, allowing only 93.4 points per 100 possessions (yes, small sample size alert, but still).
Rowan Kavner of Clippers.com reported a comment from Griffin following the win against the Jazz, who said the team are placing higher attention to detail and success on defense than anything else:
"“Every day in practice, I feel like we’re probably more into our defense and we’re harder on ourselves about our defense in practice than anything else. Every game, we make it a point to come out and make teams feel us on the defensive end.”"
Griffin also praised the Clippers’ rebounding:
"“You look at our team and the talent we have and the size and athleticism, that should be a strength for us. That is a point of emphasis and it will be going forward, but it’s nice to do it back to back against two really good rebounding teams.”"
Griffin brings a lot of the size he’s referring to. He’s by far the Clippers’ most imposing physical force outside of DeAndre Jordan, and when aggressive and physical inside, he can combine with Jordan to form a duo that any team will struggle to stop. When they’re crashing the offensive glass, they have their best chance to stand out even more as one of the best teams in the NBA, also having an advantage in this regard when they face the now-smaller (yet scarily talented) Golden State Warriors.
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Through two games, Griffin has averaged 11.5 rebounds per game, which is certainly encouraging if he can maintain anything in double digits this year, something he hasn’t done since 2011-12. Four of his rebounds being offensive helps even more.
As for Jordan, he’s dominating as always on the glass. He’s at a pedestrian (by his high standards) 14 per game, with a tremendous 6.5 coming on offense.
As for the Clippers’ defense, the most impressive performers so far have been those on the bench. Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, Wesley Johnson and Marreese Speights have formed a surprisingly effective defensive unit so far. They’ve communicated well, switched effectively, pressured ball handlers well with guys like Felton and Rivers, and Speights has been positioning himself well at times and drawing charges at a crazy rate (four against Utah) to help compensate for being the obvious weak link.
Next: Clips' bench showing initial defensive promise
The LA Clippers will be hoping they can keep this up. Judging from Blake’s comments, it’s clear just how much they want to be a tougher team in 2016-17.