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LA Clippers: Four players we are most excited to watch this season

By Joseph Raya-Ward

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) looks on during a NBA preseason game between the Melbourne United and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 13, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) looks on during a NBA preseason game between the Melbourne United and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 13, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Denver Nuggets during the preseason on October 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Denver Nuggets during the preseason on October 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Brian Cullen: Montrezl Harrell

For me, I cannot wait to see what Montrezl Harrell brings to the LA Clippers this year. I have been a fan of his since he popped on my radar coming off the bench for Houston a few years back. In fact, I was so excited about him joining the team in the Chris Paul trade that I started writing for Clipperholics. Check the receipts:

"At 6’8” Harrell has the body type and fierce style to play minutes at the 4 or 5 and has the potential to be an almost-Draymond-Green type player (remember, Green was discovered after David Lee was injured). -Me, 2 years ago"

Now more than ever do I believe in his ability to become a star.

Trezz played his way into the Most Improved Player conversation last season, and he has even more tricks in his bag now. In the Drew League, Rico Hines games, as well as the preseason, he has show that he has developed a jumper. Not just a midrange game, either. He looks to have added some confidence from three. Even without that in his arsenal last year he was a part of the highest scoring bench duo in league history.

I don’t expect to see him taking too many jumpers in games, but the threat and option are there which will help with spacing. Even if he just takes a couple a game, it should help save some of the energy he’s known for, and convert to improvement to the other side of the court.

Trezz had a career year last year, and I would expect to see another step this year. Last season he averaged 16.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 2 assists a game. Basketball-Reference has his projected to average 22.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 2.6 assists a game in the 19-20 season. Some of those averages seem a little lofty, but I expect to see improvements in most categories.

Numbers aside, Harrell is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the league. As someone that is undersized for his position, he makes up for it with effort and energy. Trezz plays with something that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet; heart. He is a foundational piece to the team’s identity and culture. That spark off the bench was a highlight from last season, and I think will be another one this year.

Keep an eye on my pick for both Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player for the 19-20 campaign.

It’s like Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

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