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LA Clippers: 3 Things We’ve Learned About the Clippers

By Seth Kimbrell

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers, calls out from the bench during a 128-105 Clippers win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 30, 2020 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)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers, calls out from the bench during a 128-105 Clippers win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 30, 2020 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) /
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LA Clippers, Lou Williams
LA Clippers, Lou Williams. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2020-21 season has come with its surprises for the LA Clippers. We take a look at three things we’ve learned so far this season.

For fans of the LA Clippers, it’s hard to complain about sitting at a 9-4 record after the first thirteen games. That said, if you had told me at the start of the season that we’d be here, I probably would have predicted fewer blown leads and more comfortable wins.

But nothing ever goes quite the way you think it will in the NBA, and the Clippers are no exception. Let’s take a look at three things we’ve learned from the LA Clippers through their first 13 games.

LA Clippers: Things We’ve Learned #1 – The Bench Needs Work

After having their depth celebrated in recent years, the LA Clippers have really found themselves in an unfamiliar situation. The bench just hasn’t been up to scratch, especially when Marcus Morris was out.

Some of the struggles, especially those related to defense and rebounding, will get a little bit better when Zubac gets out of the slump he’s in, but that will only go so far.

The problem is that there are four roster spots that are being used by guys who aren’t currently consistent rotation players. Terance Mann, Patrick Patterson, Mfiondu Kabengele and Daniel Oturu are all on full contracts and rarely see the floor.

Sure, there’s a bit of contribution from Mann from time to time, but not nearly enough to expect him to be able to regularly contribute when the starters are resting. That leaves the bench with Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac and Lou Williams as real rotation pieces.

That’s exactly one wing who can hold his own on defense, one struggling center and three dudes who contribute solely through scoring. That’s not the template of a bench that will be able to hold up against the best the West will have to offer in the playoffs.

The Clips need another wing badly, and thanks to the Kennard trade, they’ve got some second round picks to try to swing a deal. They’ll also certainly be active in the buyout market to try to shore up the reserves. However they do it, this is an issue that will certainly need to be addressed.

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