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Three goals for the LA Clippers’ rookies in 2019-2020 season

By Garrett Chorpenning

MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Mfiondu Kabengele #25 of the LA Clippers poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Mfiondu Kabengele #25 of the LA Clippers poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Amir Coffey #42 of the LA Clippers shoots free throws during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Day 2 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2019, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Amir Coffey #42 of the LA Clippers shoots free throws during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Day 2 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2019, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Amir Coffey: Experience as much as possible

As was mentioned earlier, Amir Coffey is the most recent player to earn a two-way contract from the LA Clippers, and for good reason. The 6 foot 8 inch shooting guard was a standout at Minnesota, and his skill set could allow him to play some point guard as well.

Like Kabengele and Mann, he also tore up Summer League and was one of the Clippers’ best players throughout the tournament.

Of the three, he’ll almost definitely receive the least amount of playing time during the upcoming season. And that’s perfectly fine.

Coffey’s best bet for his rookie season is to take a similar approach that Jerome Robinson took in his: Experience as much as is possible.

Because he’s on a two-way contract, Coffey will have the opportunity to spend time with both the LA Clippers and their G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario. That’s where a bulk of his playing time will come from, and the level of competition should be at least one step up from Summer League.

He’ll be there with Johnathan Motley, LA’s other two-way contract recipient, who can help him get familiar with the system at both levels. There’s no one better for him to be around, given Motley did precisely what Coffey is set up to do in the coming season.

That’s probably the best thing Coffey can do for himself at this point, too. Make the most of the minutes you receive in the G League, get familiar with the level of competition, and then take everything you can from being with the team during training camp and call-ups.

It’s hard to overstate how important that atmosphere can be for a young player — it’s often said that competing with players that are better than you, in turn, makes you a better player. And since the LA Clippers have arguably the best roster in all of basketball, there will be no shortage of good players to go up against in practice.

Once the 2020-2021 season rolls around, Coffey will have that much more experience under his belt, and if he’s still with the Clippers’ organization, he could find his way into the rotation by then. He certainly looks the part of an NBA player, and a year between the two leagues should only help him to improve.

Next. Three goals for Kawhi Leonard in 2019-2020 season. dark

Again, these three rookies probably won’t get much of a chance to make a significant impact for the LA Clippers in the upcoming season. But by continuing to refine their games and taking what they can from the veterans, they can all take one step closer to carving out a role for a championship-caliber team.

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