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LA Clippers: 3 things Tyronn Lue needs to do before the playoffs

By Ryan Snellings

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers speaks with assistant coaches during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images )
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers speaks with assistant coaches during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images ) /
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LA Clippers Ivica Zubac
LA Clippers Ivica Zubac (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

2. Tyronn Lue has to figure out the LA Clippers’ center rotation

The Clippers’ center rotation is something that has to be figured out and quickly. We saw on Saturday that no one can stop Nikola Jokic (duh) but we know who does handle him in a better fashion.

It’s simple. Patrick Patterson cannot play in the postseason. Let me repeat that.

PATRICK PATTERSON CANNOT PLAY IN THE POSTSEASON.

For everything nice that has been said about Patterson and the way he stays ready, the fact of the matter is that he should not be a backup center in the playoffs. In the regular season? Sure. He’s had some okay minutes. Saturday proved, however, that we need DeMarcus Cousins to soak up any of his minutes.

That being said, those minutes should be minimal at best. The team will hopefully get Serge Ibaka back soon, leaving him and Ivica Zubac the majority of the center minutes.

Ibaka’s return does give Ty another question though – who starts at center?

The smart money is on Zubac keeping the spot. He has proven that he fits in well with the starting group, adding a layer of rim protection that Ibaka just doesn’t offer at this stage in his career. Bringing Ibaka off the bench also gives the Clippers a bit more spacing now that Rajon Rondo will (presumably) run that second unit.

Ty does need to make a decision about the starting center but his real focus should be on bumping Cousins position on the depth chart up above Patterson.

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