Los Angeles Clippers Mid-Season Grades: Montrezl Harrell

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Montrezl Harrell
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Montrezl Harrell
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 28: Montrezl Harrell
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 28: Montrezl Harrell

Offense: B+

Let’s start with the numbers. Montrezl is hitting numbers above his career averages in points per game but still averaging the same minutes per game he has since entering the league. The real change for him has been his usage rate from 17.6% last season to 22.5% this year.

Listed at 6’8″ Harrell is undersized for a center, where he’s playing most of his minutes. But what Montrezl lacks in size he makes up for in spark. The team’s second unit has been given the name the “Goon Squad” this season, and all of that has to do with Montrezl’s energy off the bench. His ability to jump over larger opponents and finish through contact is enough to get anyone out of their seat. His energy and effort with the second unit is really where Montrezl shines in the eye test; he’s doing a lot off the ball and tons of the dirty work that stats don’t count for.

Back to the stats. To get a clear picture of what Montrezl is doing you have dive into his Per 36 minutes numbers. Per 36 minutes Harrell is averaging 21.3 points, 1.7 assists, and 3.1 offensive rebounds. Whoa.