Los Angeles Clippers Mid-Season Grades: Tyrone Wallace

Defense: B+

Tyrone Wallace plays 27 minutes per game, the most for any Clippers rookie since Blake Griffin’s rookie season in 2010. The main reason for this is Wallace’s versatility to defend both guard spots and even guard small forwards on most teams.

Wallace maintains good footwork and is quick to slide and switch in respect to pick and roll defense. He plays passing lanes well and averages almost a steal per game.

Wallace’s defense sealed a game for the Clippers earlier in the season against the Sacramento Kings with a clutch steal in the final minute.

Deficiencies still remain as Wallace needs more discipline against shooters as he seems eager to contest shots and is hence prone to getting beat on ball fakes.

Coming in at 6’5, Wallace’s size and athletic prowess combined with a hard working acumen from his G-league stint leads to great effort every game on the defensive end. Wallace’s 6’10 wingspan allows him to switch onto most perimeter players with ease and apply good on ball pressure.