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What we learned from the LA Clippers’ preseason loss to the Houston Rockets

By Garrett Chorpenning

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 03: Maurice Harkless #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers and Ben McLemore #16 of the Houston Rockets battle for position under the basket doing a free throw at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 3, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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 Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 03: Maurice Harkless #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers and Ben McLemore #16 of the Houston Rockets battle for position under the basket doing a free throw at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 3, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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 Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: LA Clippers Jerome Robinson (1), left, and Rodney McGruder (19) chat during the LA Clippers annual media day at the Honey Training Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 29, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: LA Clippers Jerome Robinson (1), left, and Rodney McGruder (19) chat during the LA Clippers annual media day at the Honey Training Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 29, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) /

Jerome Robinson needs more time

Heading into last night’s game, few expected to see Jerome Robinson get the start at small forward. He was certainly going to play, but Rodney McGruder made more sense for the spot since he’ll probably start a few games for the LA Clippers this season.

But instead, Robinson was out there for the tip. And at least during the first half, that’s about all he was out there for.

Robinson racked up three quick fouls in the first three minutes of the game, and he wasn’t seen again until there were less than eight minutes remaining in the first half.

A few minutes later, he picked up a fourth foul and exited the game. At halftime, he went to the locker room without a single point scored.

His second-half performance was a bit better — Robinson finished the game with eight points — but he still left a few things to be desired.

First and foremost, Robinson still does not look like a completely confident shooter. He connected on just 3-12 shots from the field and 2-6 from three-point range. That isn’t totally ideal.

That being said, Robinson’s performance on the opposite side of the ball was plenty more inspiring. Aside from some touchy fouls, he burst out the gate and played aggressive defense early on. It was evident that he had been spending time working on his defensive game with Patrick Beverley this summer.

If there’s one thing to take from all that, it’s that Robinson probably isn’t ready to run with the starting group just yet. He still needs to work on his decision making as well as his shooting, and errors won’t be as costly if he’s coming off the bench.

The LA Clippers are deep, and there’s no doubt that Robinson could be a positive piece for this team. He just needs to continue working on his game before he’s thrust into a starting situation again.

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