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Los Angeles Clippers Depth Chart Breakdown: Shooting Guard

By Jakob Ashlin

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jerome Robinson #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers talks on his phone during media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jerome Robinson #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers talks on his phone during media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 12: Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets on February 12, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 12: Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets on February 12, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Starter

Last January, The Clippers acquired guard Avery Bradley from the Detroit Pistons as part of the Blake Griffin trade. Bradley is one of the premier perimeter defenders in the NBA.

He was selected to the All-Defensive First Team after his 2015-16 season with the Boston Celtics.  He is so well respected by his fellow players that there was outrage when he was not selected to the All-Defensive team for the 2016-17 season.

https://twitter.com/BeMore27/status/879443707807776768

Bradley is known for his defensive ability, but he has proven to be a capable scorer, as well. He averaged 15 points per game and shot 38.1% from three-point range in 40 games with the Detroit Pistons last season.

Bradley stepped in as the starter immediately for the Clippers.  However, he struggled shooting the ball as he shot only 11.1% from deep with his new team. Oddly, Bradley also appeared to be hesitant to shoot threes and his stats reflected that. He attempted only 1.5 threes per game, which was much lower than his previous average of 4.9 attempts with Detroit.

Sadly, Bradley’s season was cut short after only six games due to a hernia. He underwent season-ending surgery, and the Clippers re-signed him in the offseason to a team friendly deal.

I suspect that Bradley’s hesitation to shoot and low three-point percentage, where simply a product of him playing through an injury. He already looked more comfortable during his first preseason game and attempted seven threes in that game.

Bradley seems to have a firm grasp on the starting job for now. He and Beverley should combine to make up the best defensive backcourt in the league.

However, through two preseason games, rookie point guard Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to play well alongside Beverley. If Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play well as the season moves along, he could replace Bradley in the starting lineup.

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