Clipperholics Mailbag: LA Clippers questions after the loss to the Spurs
A question about Trezz
The energy isn’t gone, but is probably sapped at the moment. He’s getting eight more minutes per game from last year. While that doesn’t seem like a ton, it can really take a toll on someone like Montrezl Harrell who plays at 110%.
Something else I’ve noticed (and you may have too ) is how often he ends up on the ground. It’s a product of his play and we love him for it, but it cannot be healthy to always go tumbling down onto the hardwood.
If there is a way the NBA can start tracking that with their hustle stats, I’m all for it. There are small indications, such as him being second on the team in loose balls recovered and in total charges drawn, but I have mainly noticed it on his layups. Get on that NBA!
Another factor that adds to this? I think he’s getting bad match-ups. This is in part due to Doc and in part to other teams wising up. Just look at the blowout versus the Raptors the other night. Trezz was often matched up against Jonas Valanciunas who is a tank of a man. Valanciunas was bodying Montrezl.
Meanwhile, Boban Marjanovic and Marcin Gortat were matched up against Serge Ibaka who is smaller and quicker. Doesn’t make much sense, huh? If Trezz keeps drawing more physical players in his match-ups, he will wear down faster. Doc may want to reevaluate his lineups each night to ensure they work in our favor.
I think Trezz figures it out though. He was greatly outperforming his contract to start the year and his slump has been a big part of this skid for the Clippers.