LA Clippers: Brooklyn Game Exposed the Bench Guards

In a hard-fought game, the LA Clippers couldn’t quite overcome the Brooklyn Nets and lost 124-120. All things considered, there was a lot to be happy about, and not so much to be displeased with, other than the score. There was one thing I did notice as I watched, though.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George played well, with PG needing to shake off a rough start. They combined for 59 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists. Not a bad night for our superstars. Where we were hurting was elsewhere.

The backup guards need to perform better for the LA Clippers to win big games.

The performance from Luke Kennard, Lou Williams and Reggie Jackson (who started but is typically a backup) just wasn’t good enough. Those three combined for 13 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists in 59 minutes on an abysmal 5-18 shooting, 2-8 from three.

Shockingly enough, of the three, I’m going to criticize Reggie the least. Jackson’s been playing quite well in his role lately, and he’s earned the right for me to say “eh, it was just a bad game for him.”

But Lou and Luke just haven’t added enough, and in a big game like that we needed them to. Lou couldn’t get his shot falling, and Kennard only played four minutes, with Coach Lue saying they played Lou over Luke for “an extra spark.”

Side note: was that enough L names in one paragraph for you?

Something is happening if 4 points and 5 assists is enough of a spark for the coaching staff to not play Luke. Kennard hasn’t been playing terribly recently, shooting 39% from deep in his last ten games. Maybe it was just a bad day, or Luke wasn’t feeling it in shootaround, or a whole host of other issues.

Regardless of the reasoning, they’ve got to show up better in big games. Against the Nets, the LA Clippers can trust Kawhi and PG to keep it a close game when all the starters are on the court, and what sets the Clippers apart is meant to be when multiple stars are sitting. Ditto for the Lakers or the Sixers.

I’m not calling for heads or saying folks need to be traded. But if the LA Clippers want to be at their best against the biggest competition, we’re going to need Lou and Luke especially to kick it up a notch.