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Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ first-round loss to Golden State

Garrett Chorpenning|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers scores on a layup past Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in a 129-110 Clipper loss during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers scores on a layup past Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in a 129-110 Clipper loss during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets, Landry Shamet #20 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers look on during the first half at Staples Center on April 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets, Landry Shamet #20 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers look on during the first half at Staples Center on April 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

These rookies didn’t behave like rookies

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came into the league as a mature, steady point guard that was unafraid of the moment. And on the brightest of stages, against the two-time defending champions, he proved that.

The 20-year-old (!!!) started all six games for LA, as has been the norm all year long, averaging 13.7 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds in just under 29 minutes per game. He played especially well in Games 1, 4 and 6, scoring 18, 25 and 22 points, respectively.

You could the number of rookie mistakes he made on one hand, but one of the most important things to take from Gilgeous-Alexander’s first-ever playoffs performance is how well he shot the three-ball.

After it was something of a concern for him coming out of college, Gilgeous-Alexander shot 50 percent from three-point range against the Golden State Warriors, connecting on nine of his 18 attempts overall.

He’s poised to have a huge second season in the league, and under the advisement of Sam Cassell and the rest of the coaching staff, it seems inevitable that Gilgeous-Alexander will be a star very soon in this league.

His co-star, Landry Shamet, was hounded on defense by the Warriors and didn’t get as much of a chance to make his mark because of that. However, that didn’t stop him from hitting some of the biggest shots in the series.

None were more important than his game-winner in Game 2, which capped a 31-point comeback that ended with a Clippers victory.

The backcourt of the future is already here for LA. And after seeing what they were capable of against the NBA’s best, it’s clear they have a very bright future.

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