New Years Resolutions for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George & the LA Clippers

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers dribbles during a 98-88 Clippers win over the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on November 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Landry Shamet – Shooting

Since returning from injury, Landry has been up and down. First, he shot 80% from the field, then 17%, then 57%, then 33%… on and on.

For 2020, Shamwow needs to finally shake off the rust, get consistent buckets, and get back into the starting rotation. It’s hard for him to find his shot when you’re coming off the bench next to the Lou and Trezz Show. If he can string together a good three, four game streak of consistent shooting, that may be what gets Doc to put him in the starting lineup, where he can create space with his catch-and-shoot game that we saw last season.

With his quick action, that sort of long-range weapon can open up a lot of possibilities for George and Leonard. It’s what we all kinda thought the final form of the starting lineup would look like, but health issues across the team have delayed seeing it operate as intended.

If Shamet can get a good run of consistent shooting together, we might finally see consistent first quarter dominance that can sustain over time.

JaMychal Green – Health and Shooting

As of the Christmas game, JaMychal Green has played exactly as many games this season as he did last season in a Clippers’ uniform. He actually hasn’t been with the team very long, even though it feels like he’s always been here.

But when Green is unavailable, even observing from a distance we can feel the lack of his presence. JaMychal Green is capital-m Missed when he’s hurt, so keeping healthy is going to be very important in the long run.

His field goal % — which stayed virtually the same between his Memphis and Clippers’ minutes last season — has dropped a bit. Part of that is injury and adjusting to two superstars being added to the roster. If Green can just hit an average of one more 3 per game, he can space the floor in a way that becomes dangerous for defenses.

Moe Harkless, Patrick Patterson – Not Much, Really

Maurice Harkless and Patrick Patterson are doing their jobs and that’s all we need. Moe’s numbers haven’t really changed at all from last season as a Trail Blazer, but his defensive effort and modest offensive production seem more impactful as a Clipper. When he does something, it seems to be at critical points when LAC really needs him to do something.

For Patterson, he’s a matchup guy. But for what it’s worth, his efficiency is higher across the board than last season, and that’s with more attempts per game as well. He’s shooting a perfectly serviceable 41.5% from the field, which is below his career average, but at 15 minutes per game, it does the job.

The Clippers just need their wings to stay healthy and do what they do.

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