3 things we learned about the LA Clippers in Round 1

2. Give me more Landry Shamet

The missing piece in the first round was Patrick Beverley. At first, Doc Rivers tried to remedy his absence with Reggie Jackson. We all know how that went.

Doc pivoted though, inserting Landry Shamet into the starting lineup. After that, things started to go well. Shamet isn’t a positive defender but he does enough to not be hunted out every single play. His floor spacing next to Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Marcus Morris is extremely helpful and provides them the necessary space.

Shamet converted on 45.8% of his 4.0 attempts from deep in the first round and chipped in 18 and 11 points in two of the Clippers’ wins. He was a positive plus/minus in three of his four starts.

He needs to continue to get minutes even when Bev comes back. From the sounds of that, that very easily could be game one. We have to assume Bev will be on a minutes restriction at first as he plays himself into shape. If that is the case, Shamet needs to be first off the bench, putting him back with the starting four he has played so well with.

Going to Reggie Jackson instead of Shamet early doesn’t help and will likely result in Jamal Murray hunting the matchup. Shamet should get that nod and stay as part of the rotation.

Doc has mentioned several times that he doesn’t want Lou Williams and Shamet playing together but that duo at least feels a little more trustworthy than the former and Jackson. At the very least, Shamet won’t dominate the ball, taking it out of the hands of his superstar teammates.

Make the right move Doc. Play more Sham.