As soon as it became clear the LA Clippers would start the regular season with Brook Lopez and Isaiah Jackson as their lead centers, concerns began to rise. Each brings strengths on both ends of the floor, but having only Lopez and Jackson didn’t seem like enough to win consistently. It felt like the Clippers needed someone else to back them up, at least until Yanic Logan Niederhauser returned.
However, Lopez (17 points, 11 boards) and Jackson (13 points, 5 boards) proved otherwise on opening night against the Sacramento Kings, ultimately putting the center concerns to rest. Without their rebounding against Sacramento and significant scoring, LA could’ve easily ended the night with a loss.
One could argue that they played the Kings, a team that hasn’t won much over the years. But it’s worth remembering they roster Domantas Sabonis and Precious Achiuwa, two excellent players, especially on the boards.
Brook Lopez and Isaiah Jackson collectively proved the Clippers’ front-court is just fine
From the start of the game until the finish, Brook Lopez and Isaiah Jackson handled business in the front-court. At no point, not even for a second, did they seem incapable of making a positive impact on the floor despite a tough matchup against Domantas Sabonis and Precious Achiuwa.
Jackson got his first start with the LA Clippers. He immediately did what he does best: score in the paint efficiently and flash his teeth defensively. 13 points in 15 minutes is an absurd ratio, and beyond that, the 24-year-old seemed intent on crashing the glass as best he could.
Lopez, on the other hand, did much of the same and brought his well-known three-point presence. The veteran big man was all over the place, but the best part about his game is the post game he demonstrated early in the first quarter.
Head coach Tyronn Lue clearly wanted Lopez in the paint, which turned back the clock to his prime days, and he did well, forcing the Kings to switch up their defensive scheme. For reference, 12 of his 17 points were from inside. We aren’t used to this.
All in all, Lopez and Jackson played extremely well. Obviously, one game is a small sample size, but still, they are already shutting down the pre-season concerns that were loud and clear.
Moving forward, seeing if they can keep it up is something to look out for.
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