Is this really the iteration of the Clippers we see in the playoffs?
I’m skeptical of the idea that this exact version of the LA Clippers is the one we’ll see once the postseason starts. I don’t think the team is going to make any big blockbuster deals, nor do I think they should.
But right now, the reserve unit is heavy on scoring guards and very low on bigs and defense. In the playoffs, let’s say the rotation goes to 10 men. That makes our substitutions Lou, Reggie, Kennard, Batum (assuming a healthy Morris) and Zubac.
With a bench like that, we can certainly get plenty of offense. But imagine a game where Ibaka’s in foul trouble, or Mook tweaks a knee and has to miss a half. Suddenly we need huge minutes out of Zu or Batum, and we’ve gotta break the glass on Kabengele or Patterson.
Similarly, in a game against one of the teams with great offensive guards (which is most of the teams we’ll see in the playoffs), we don’t have anybody on the bench who can come in and defend their man effectively.
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A trade for a guy like George Hill makes a lot of sense; if we can give up some of our instant offense (which is currently looking like there’s too many chefs in the kitchen) to get a guard who can play defense, that feels like an upgrade.
The dream would be somebody like PJ Tucker, who should absolutely be a target if James Harden gets moved. Having a third big who could step in and play solid defense would be an incredible move for the front office.
It feels like the Clippers are spoiled with offense-only guards and short elsewhere. I won’t be surprised at all to see a slightly different team come the postseason.