LA Clippers: Grading each player’s first-round performance

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers stands for the National Anthem before Game Six of Round One against the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 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)(EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers stands for the National Anthem before Game Six of Round One against the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 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)(EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Montrezl Harrell #5 and Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrate during the second half against Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on March 30, 2019 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Montrezl Harrell #5 and Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrate during the second half against Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on March 30, 2019 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Dynamic Duo

Lou Williams – A-

Lou Williams was his normal great self, save for a terrible performance in Game 4. Had he played better (or Gallinari, for that matter), the Clippers would have had a real shot at pulling off the win. He also looked rough in spots during Game 6, but that was in part due to adjustments made by Golden State.

Despite only scoring 12 in the aforementioned Game 4, Williams averaged a team-high 21.7 points on 43.3% shooting. He also led the team in assists with 7.7 assists and had 0.8 steals per game. Lou will be back next year after having the best season of his career (again). This time though, he’ll hopefully be coming off the bench to spell a star player.

Montrezl Harrell – A+

Speaking of stars, the Clippers have one in the making in Montrezl Harrell. Golden State had no answer for this man. He put up 18.3 points per game on a ridiculous 73% shooting. He came up big in key moments, specifically a monster block in the fourth quarter of Game 5 on Kevon Looney. He also put up 24 points in that game.

Given his production, Harrell has one of, if not the, best valued contracts in the league. He’s only signed through next year, so the Clippers will have to start working with him now if they want him to return beyond next season.