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Los Angeles Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking to prove himself

By Cannon Wonderlich

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a pre-season game on October 3, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a pre-season game on October 3, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PLAYA VISTA, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for photos during media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for photos during media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Season Prediction

I believe that to start the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the Clippers backup point guard behind Patrick Beverley. He will be competing with Milos Teodosic and Tyrone Wallace for the role, but I have to imagine that SGA will get the job, as he is a big part of the future of the team.

Due to the depth of the Clippers, Doc Rivers might get creative with some lineups this season. SGA and other players that normally play point guard might get some playing time at the shooting guard position or even as small forward. With so many players, there are so many possibilities.

By the end of the season, I hope that SGA is a starting caliber point guard. It’s not an unreasonable hope. Barring an injury, SGA should develop a lot this season. I’m optimistic that Patrick Beverley might give him some defensive tips and hopefully Milos Teodosic will help him with passing.

Hopefully SGA meshes well with the other young talent on LAC. Ideally, SGA can throw lobs to Montrezl Harrell that are reminiscent of Chris Paul’s to Blake Griffin in the Lob City era.

As a rookie, I think a reasonable stat line for SGA would be 10 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, give or take a one or two in each category. I’d like to see 1.5 to 2.5 steals per game too, even though steals per game aren’t the best way to determine defensive ability.

Next. Looking at Marcin Gortat in 2018-19. dark

While he may be a back up for now, the I have to imagine that the Front Office and Coaching Staff have big plans for SGA in the future. The Clippers should and probably will spend the coming seasons developing and harvesting young players for the future.

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