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LA Clippers: What every player needs to do in the playoffs

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 26: Garrett Temple #17 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 26, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 26: Garrett Temple #17 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 26, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Garrett Temple: 3-and-D

I’m always quick to praise Garrett Temple for what he’s done as a member of the LA Clippers, and that’s not about to change here. It’s really, really hard to complain about him when he plays his role almost to perfection.

Sure, he could be shooting the three-ball a little better than he has (and I fully expect him to do so in the playoffs) and the foul trouble has been concerning at times. But outside of a select few things, Temple has been nothing but a sound, consistent rotational wing.

In the playoffs, his three-point shooting will be especially important, as will the rest of the team’s. But I’m singling out Temple because that’s what he needs to do, and has done all season long.

Just over half of Temple’s shot attempts have come from range during his tenure in LA, and it’d be good to see that margin grow a considerable amount.

More importantly for Temple, though, is his defense. He’s been a versatile option for the Clippers so far, with the ability to defend point guards, shooting guards and a healthy number of small forwards. Players like him become extremely valuable in the playoffs since the rotation shorten up a bit, and Temple could be on the receiving end of some more minutes because of it.

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