In today’s Four Quarters, our group of four writers gives their opinion on the potential lineup they find most exciting for the LA Clippers this season.
Welcome to Four Quarters, a new series we are doing here at Clipperholics. Each part of this series will feature four of our writers discussing a given topic regarding team news, opinions, rumors, and everything in between. Today, Garrett Chorpenning, Ryan Snellings, Brian Cullen, and Joseph Raya-Ward will be giving their opinions on what possible lineups they are most excited to see from the new-look LA Clippers.
Brian Cullen
I spent more time trying to come up with a name for my lineup than I did actually coming up with my five guys. I still don’t have a good name for it. It’s a big-small lineup, almost all forwards, but it could be a very fast, very dangerous lineup.
My lineup really falls in line with the new era of position-less basketball, but just to make it easier here’s my 1-5.
- PG: Landry Shamet
- SG: Paul George
- SF: Kawhi Leonard
- PF: Montrezl Harrell
- C: JaMychal Green
Positions 1-4 are really interchangeable. I know we’re all used to seeing Trezz down low as a backup center, however, it seems like he might be adding some range to his game. Before you say it, I’ll acknowledge it, we shouldn’t put much stock in summertime workout videos. But what hell, it’s too much fun.
Harrell has been seen all summer in workout videos as well as in the Drew League not only shooting mid-range jumpers but hitting threes as well. Some of that has to translate over to the season, in which case we might be seeing him slide a little more into a forward role at times.
The most exciting part about this lineup to me is the prospect of Shamet running the point. He spent time running the offense in college and even stepped up in January of this year when the Sixers were shorthanded. In his one appearance as the PG in Philly, he put up an impressive seven assists. It doesn’t seem to be a fluke or one-time deal for Shamet, as he has hinted at possibly taking on more of a play-maker role in the upcoming season.
This lineup can run with the fastest, score with ease, and even put the brakes on some of the best teams out there. I wouldn’t expect to see extended minutes with something like this, but you can put the pressure on larger teams, like say a same-city rival with a big frontcourt. This collection of players has spacing, athleticism, and high IQ. The 1-3 can handle the ball and create, 2-5 can switch like crazy, and they all can score at will.
The only lineup in the league that I can think of that would give this fivesome trouble are the super lengthy Sixers with their twin towers upfront. The defensive ability of the Al Horford/Joel Embiid tandem will be a real problem without a traditional big on the floor.
The only thing that would get me more excited would be sliding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into the point guard slot because he would add a little defense and size there. But unfortunately…. *Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls plays softly in the background*.