Has the inclusion of Rex Kalamian affected the Los Angeles Clippers? Where does he rank among our free agency signings? Let’s dive deeper into the matter.
Following a series of moves to cap-off their roster, the LA Clippers acquired the former Toronto Raptors assistant Rex Kalamian to conclude their business in the off-season. Celebrating his silver jubilee in the NBA this year, his inclusion resembles a re-union with the Clippers which goes way back. To commence his career in the NBA, the Armenian-American had occupied the position of a video coordinator and was later offered a coaching role in his stint with the team. A pivotal piece in the flourish of franchises such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Toronto Raptors in recent years, the management will expect him to instill a winning culture alongside Doc Rivers in the post-Lob City era.
A renowned mastermind, Kalamian has made a career in the league on account of his defensive schemes. Under his assistance, the Raptors concluded the prior season as a top-5 defensive team, substantiated by their impressive defensive rating of 105.1. This eventually led them to their fifth division title, their second in a three year term. Having encountered identical success in Oklahoma (four division titles in six years), his presence will be key in the franchises’ aspiration of remaining competitive this year.
His defensive impact with the Clippers early in the season, has carried significance in the team’s positive beginning. Should the team maintain their creditable defensive rating of 105.3 throughout the season, a playoff position would no longer be a pipe-dream. While the roster includes a few substandard stoppers namely Danilo Gallinari, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and others, they’ve manifested signs of having honed their perimeter, rim protection and help defense under the tutelage of Kalamian. However, the Clippers’ team-defense has looked shaky in stretches and could use further rectification.
Managing player development for the Thunder and the Raptors, he’d monitored the growth of lottery picks, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden into stars in the league. Further the maturation of undrafted piece, Fred Van Vleet, into the leader of Toronto’s second unit exhibits Kalamian’s expertise in this domain. Alongside Sam Cassell, he has been working incessantly in the development of rookie guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which has aided the Kentucky guard in his effortless transition from college basketball to the NBA. Although Jerome Robinson has toiled for minutes thus far, a temporary move to the G-League could assist his progress.
Quoting the late Bear Bryant, “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” the acquisition of Rex Kalamian resembles a high-grade addition to the franchise. A building block in the Clippers’ pursuit of attaining success in the near future, he will strengthen the franchise’s coaching staff to a greater extent. Posing a high intellect, strong work ethic and immense experience, his inclusion represents the Los Angeles Clippers’ most significant free agency addition this off-season.
Likely to be a trustworthy general of Doc Rivers, his presence could furnish the organization with tremendous success for years to come.