How have Temple and Green transitioned with the LA Clippers? Has their influence been felt on the court? Was the trade for them worth it? Let’s take a look.
Following the blockbuster trade of Tobias Harris to Philadelphia prior to the trade deadline, the Clippers were on the hunt for solid pieces to resume their quest for a playoff spot. Transcending expectations, rookie guard, Landry Shamet has indicated the ability to contribute towards a playoff run while exhibiting the potential to feature as a franchise level talent in the coming years. While his acquisition may have been the highlight of their business, the addition of veterans Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green to their roster has been pivotal to their success in the post Tobias Harris era.
Conforming to the Clippers’ culture of playing hard, unselfish basketball, the pair have played an invaluable role off the bench. While Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell have shouldered the burden of carrying the second unit on offense, Temple and Green have held the fort on defense. Being capable floor spacers and switchable defenders, they’ve been seamlessly integrated into Doc Rivers‘ system. Further, their presence has translated to wins, as they’ve led the ball club to 14 wins in 17 contests during their tenure.
Far from being celebrated figures in the league, the pair have built statuses of being high caliber role-players. Having made solid contributions for several franchises in the past decade, Temple offers much needed depth in the wing department. While his shooting efficiency has alarmingly dipped in his tenure with the Clippers, his versatility and on ball defense has stood out. Moreover, being a veteran, his presence in the locker room will carry weight. Renowned to be a solid 3 and D player, the former D-League All Star, has managed to effortlessly fill the void left by Avery Bradley‘s departure.
On the other hand, stretch forward JaMychal Green remains an integral part of the small ball lineup put forth by the second unit due to his ability to stretch the floor on offense and switch on defense. Exhibiting immense hustle throughout his career, he’s established a compelling front-court partnership with big man Montrezl Harrell. With the pair complementing each other and displaying tremendous energy on the floor on a nightly basis, they’ve made life difficult for the opposition. Aggregating a cool 38.2% from beyond the arc this season, he’s functioned as an ideal low-budget stretch four. In addition similar to his teammates, he plays with a chip on his shoulder, hence embracing the team’s culture and sense of unity.
On paper, the trade of Tobias Harris to the Sixers led many to believe that the Clippers sacrificed the competitive edge necessary for a playoff team. However, the inclusions in the trade deadline helped the team get tougher and deeper which could be vital in the post-season. The acquisition of hard, tough minded players has brought about a much needed cultural change for the franchise. Being highly competitive, experienced and refusing to back down, the Clippers will be a tough opponent come playoff time.