To make it out of the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic chamber, the LA Clippers must be prepared to take advantage of every turnover. Jokic does not make many mistakes, but he is human at the end of the day. Thus, errors are bound to happen.
The Clippers’ center, Ivica Zubac, has been flawless this season in capitalization upon opportunity. He will not sprint the floor in transition, but Zubac always has his eyes up to make the outlet pass. He will also hit the deck and dive for live balls without thinking twice, backing up why he will excel against Jokic.
Furthermore, the major question mark orbiting the Clippers-Nuggets series has never been Zubac. Fans are more worried about Ben Simmons, their backup big man disguised as a point guard.
Simmons is not the best of the best, but he does put forward valuable qualities against a team like the Nuggets. He is a mobile, effective cutter who can easily move Jokic out to the perimeter. The former first-round pick is also phenomenal at delivering screens.
Simmons becomes a nightmare when he has the rock unattended and has to decide whether to dish a pass or attempt a shot. His choice is far too predictable, making his minutes problematic.
Any Ben Simmons playoff minutes will likely create instant, unsolvable issues for the LA Clippers
Having Ben Simmons guard Nikola Jokic will already be of exploitation for Denver, but where he is truly incapable on the playoff stage is in the half-court offense. There is no room for error, and Simmons constantly trades layups for passes.
Fear is why Simmons, at six-foot-ten, shot 43.4% from the field for just 2.9 points per game in LA. He has an aggressive game, but the former LSU Tiger does not make the most of his gift.
Moreover, the Nuggets know from the scouting report and film study that Simmons should be left wide open, as he refuses an attempt to score. He already avoids the three-point line, so his overly passive preferences spread the flames.
However, Ivica Zubac will need a water break at some point, and head coach Tyronn Lue will have to play Simmons. His time on the floor will likely only last 10-15 minutes.
That said, surviving the Simmons minutes will be crucial. If others can produce extra without Zubac, the Clippers will quickly dismiss the Nuggets from the postseason.