LA Clippers: 5 Things the New Coach Can Do Differently
No matter whom the LA Clippers choose as the next head coach, there are a few things that they need to change from last year.
After the dismissal of Doc Rivers, it was made clear that the LA Clippers would take their time finding the next head coach. There have been plenty of candidates interviewed already, from established names to assistant coaches who’ve never been head coach before.
Fans of the Clippers can hardly wait to see who will be leading the team next. And while there haven’t been too many leaks pointing to one person or the other, there are a few things that, no matter the coach, need to be done differently to make next season a better one than the last.
1) Give role players consistent roles
Understand that, when I say “role players,” I’m especially talking about Landry Shamet. Landry could never get in rhythm last season because, game to game, you could never have any good idea of what kind of role he’d play.
In the 53 games Shamet played in the regular season, he started 30 times. He also went under 20 minutes 9 times, and over 30 minutes 20 times. In those games where he played at least 36 minutes, he put up a per-36 minute statline of 14 points, 2.5 assists and 2 rebounds per 36 minutes and shot 43.5% from the three.
Alternatively, in those games where he went under 20 minutes, his per-36 was 7.5 points, 1.8 assists and 2 rebounds on 27% shooting from 3.
That drop from 43.5% when he plays 30+ to 27% when he plays under 20 is telling. Shamet is a young shooter, and like most young shooters he needs some consistency to play to his potential. When he was given some consistent minutes to get warm and get his shot going, he was an elite shooter like we saw in his rookie year.
Of course, this isn’t exclusive to Landry Shamet. The rotations changed so much throughout the season (often due to injury) that nobody outside of the stars, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell could boast much consistency in their role.
If the new coach can give guys more concrete roles on the team, that will be a huge improvement from last year.