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Four Quarters Ep.1: Exciting New LA Clippers Lineups

By Brian Cullen

LA Clippers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LA Clippers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Ralph Lawler speaks to JaMychal Green #4 of the LA Clippers before the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Ralph Lawler speaks to JaMychal Green #4 of the LA Clippers before the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Joseph Raya-Ward

Ok. So, my lineup more than likely won’t be seen very much throughout the year. It might not even make it to the floor for more than 10 minutes during the regular season. But, this year for the Clippers is all about the postseason, where I think this group is going to shine.

This lineup features five-plus defenders without sacrificing offensive firepower. All five players are at least capable three-point shooters, with the biggest question mark being Harkless, who should see a rebound from his horrific shooting season last year.

Harkless shot 27.5 percent from deep last season but had averages of 41.5 and 35.1 the two years prior. The other four members of this lineup all shot over 35.0 percent from deep last season, which is around league average. While the lineup does not have a traditional point guard, Leonard and George are more than capable ball handlers, and their gravity alone will help generate plenty of open looks.

McGruder is the shortest of the group at 6 feet 4 inches but has spent his NBA career guarding positions 1 through 3. The rest of the group are all over 6 foot 7 inches and able defenders, making this lineup well-positioned to switch on every action.

Going from the hounding defense of McGruder to the smothering arms of Klaw or PG is going to give ball-handlers nightmares. Couple that with the stout on-ball and help defense from Harkless and Green, and you have a lineup that is tailor-made to smother an opposing team in the midst of a run late in the game.

While this lineup might not be the flashiest the Clippers can produce, I do think that it has the potential to come up big when it matters most. When Doc is searching for an answer in a tense playoff moment, I think that this can be a lineup that saves a game, and maybe even a series.

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