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March 1st Mailbag: Playoffs, Free Agency & More

Ryan Snellings|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers dunks in front of Maximilian Kleber #42 and Salah Mejri #50 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers dunks in front of Maximilian Kleber #42 and Salah Mejri #50 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers has the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 11, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers has the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 11, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Brighter Future: Shai or Landry?

This is a loaded question.

Let me preface it. Both can be, really, really good. Bev agrees with me.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the higher potential, hence the higher pick in the draft. He has shown flashes of it and his unique size and length at the point guard position will always cause trouble for teams. That’s not to say he doesn’t need some work on his game. Size needs to be added, as does a reliable three point shot. There are guys like Rajon Rondo who have made themselves a solid career without the jumper, but it’s not a trend Shai necessarily wants to follow.

The ability is there for him and learning under both Doc Rivers and Sam Cassell is not a bad place to be. It all just comes down on how much he can put in.

On the other hand, I can easily see Landry Shamet having the longer career. Assuming the way the league has trended towards shooting stays around for a while, Shamet will always have a spot as long as he wants it. Yes, he gets burned on defense and will definitely need to work to become at least a net neutral defender, but his shooting ability is already incredible.

So, yeah. Shai could (and should) be the better player, but the longevity and usefulness of Shamet seems a lot greater. But you know what’s cool? We have both of them and get to watch them blossom right before our eyes.

What about Jerome?

Jerome Robinson is totally the third wheel at this point, which is a bummer considering the front office seemed so high on him. It just hasn’t clicked yet. Unless he really puts in some heavy work this offseason, I can see him just being an end of the bench guy.

Should he play more? For his development, probably. But the team is trying to make the playoffs and get the other young guys (Shai and Shamet) important postseason experience. Getting them that experience is worth more than getting Jerome some regular season minutes.

I wish both could happen, but with the Western Conference being so tightly contested, it’s just not worth it for the team to try and experiment when every single game counts. At least he’s killing it in the G-League.

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