LA Clippers: 3 things the team needs in the second half of the season

Feb 15, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general view of the Staples Center exterior prior to the NBA game between the Miami Heat and the LA Clippers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general view of the Staples Center exterior prior to the NBA game between the Miami Heat and the LA Clippers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

2. The LA Clippers need consistency

Whether or not the team makes a move before the deadline will have a large impact on this need. The Clippers have to focus on being consistent and getting their rotations down.

With only half a season left, don’t be surprised if we see the rotation start to shorten a little bit. This might not bode well for Luke Kennard, someone who has been the definition of inconsistent this season.

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If he is able to continue to find minutes, Kennard needs to prove he can be more of the player we saw versus the Wizards and not the guy who goes 0-4 and looks hesitant to even shoot the ball.

If he wants to even sniff the playoff rotation, consistency from him is a must. This can also be said for both Terance Mann and Reggie Jackson. Mann has been good as of late and appears to be the second guard off the bench for this team going forward but a move at the deadline could change that. He needs to keep showing effort each and every night. Jackson, on the other hand, needs to make sure he doesn’t try and do too much whenever he is in the game.

Coach Lue will have to iron out all the lineup kinks before the postseason so the team has that sense of consistency. Will he roll with a full ten man lineup or will it be cut down to nine or even eight?

Outside of lineups, the team just needs to play consistently as a whole. We need to see fewer blown leads, fewer lackadaisical quarters, and more start-to-finish wins. The Clippers can be absolutely devastating one night and then lay an egg the next to no one’s surprise. That has to start changing if they are going to make noise in the playoffs.