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LA Clippers: The Good & Bad at the Season Quarter Mark

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers speaks to the team during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 23, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers speaks to the team during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 23, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 23: aAvery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 23: aAvery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

The Bad

I don’t know if bad is the proper term to use here, especially when a team with no expectations is sitting at the top of their conference. But, for the sake of being fair let’s do some nitpicking.

Avery Bradley

Avery Bradley hasn’t looked great. He’s shooting only 35.8% from the field to the tune of 6.9 points per game and has been an abysmal 20% from deep. He takes a majority of his shots from mid-range, which doesn’t work well in today’s league, especially when you aren’t knocking them down.

With so many guards on the roster, he may be a trade piece once he is able to be moved in January.

Now, it’s not saying he’s been horrible. In fact, his defense has passed the eye test several times, especially in overtime versus Memphis when he basically single handedly willed the team to victory including stripping a potential game winning shot.

Lou Williams

Now this one is especially nitpicky. After winning Sixth Man of the Year last season, Lou Williams has had a somewhat rocky start. He’s still putting in 17.8 points, but it’s not efficient. He’s shooting only 38.7% from the field, which is the second lowest in his 13 year career.

Still, Lou has found ways to contribute and has been the team’s playmaker, dishing out 4.4 assists per game. His two-man game with Harrell has been especially impressive with the two being the most efficient scoring two-man lineup for the team while also playing at the fastest pace.

Like I said, Lou hasn’t been necessarily “bad”, but I had to nitpick something and he easily could start shooting better. On an unrelated note, it’s kind of sucky that he had to dump one of his girlfriends.

Luc Mbah a Moute

Now, this has been pretty bad. After the prince returned to LA, he has only seen action in 4 games. Luc has been bothered all year by a sore left knee. While the Clippers defense has been good, just think how much better it could be with a healthy Luc Mbah a Moute on the court.

There has been no timetable given by the team on when he could return and with the team finding success with Mike Scott off the bench, I’m not quite sure how the team can re-integrate Luc into the rotation without upsetting the balance.

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