LA Clippers lineups: 3 small ball groups to use in 2021-22
By Evan Desai
No. 2 small ball group to use in 2021-22 for the LA Clippers:
If the LA Clippers want to prioritize backcourt defense, they can go with this small ball lineup:
PG: Patrick Beverley
PG/SG: Reggie Jackson
SG/SF: Paul George
SF/PF: Nicolas Batum
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
What this lineup does is guarantee a backcourt lockdown on D.
Starting two point guards like this paid off very nicely at times in the Western Conference when it came down to trying to shut down the Suns’ tremendous backcourt duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
Having a three-time All-Defensive selection on the court with Jackson in Beverley is going to be a lineup that provides a lot of ball pressure, and makes way for lots of transition opportunities for the guards to set up for the mobile forwards that would be starting in this lineup.
George, Batum, and Morris aren’t necessarily young, but they all run the floor very well.
Despite this lineup being very very small, Morris is good enough on D to pick up a center, and George and Batum shouldn’t have many problems on the wings.