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Three reasons the LA Clippers would have swept the first round

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: The LA Clippers Hoop Troop celebrates after the game against the Orlando Magic on January 16, 2020 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: The LA Clippers Hoop Troop celebrates after the game against the Orlando Magic on January 16, 2020 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

2. Depth

In the playoffs, depth doesn’t usually matter as much. Coaches will usually use eight or nine players total in their rotation. Still, having bench players who can come in and contribute helps in a seven game series.

The Clippers boast one of the better benches in the league. With their depth, I would figure Doc Rivers‘ nine man rotation would look something like this:

Starters

  • PG: Patrick Beverley
  • SG: Paul George
  • SF: Kawhi Leonard
  • PF: Marcus Morris
  • C: Ivica Zubac

Bench

Now, you’ll probably notice that Landry Shamet is missing from that list. While I don’t think he would get zero playing time, I can see Doc being apprehensive in using him. We have seen Shamet fall out of the rotation slowly and if the Clippers did intend to keep one of George, Leonard, or Morris on the court at all times, I can’t see the team using ten rotational guys often.

But that’s a good thing, right? Shamet is a guy who hit the biggest shot in the Clippers 31-point comeback in the playoffs last year and is looking like he would be a fringe rotational piece this season. The team just has that many good pieces.

Remembering. Clippers 31-point comeback happened one year ago. light

Look at the list of potential first round opponents. None of them have depth anywhere near this level. The Clippers bench comes in and often is just as scary offensively as the first unit. With no slack in scoring, I just don’t see how any first round opponent can keep up over four games.

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