The LA Clippers’ 30th overall pick, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, is currently, unfairly, getting the short end of the stick. Head coach Tyronn Lue had a hole in the rotation and let Kobe Sanders play. It was a great decision, but why not utilize the same logic on Niederhauser when Brook Lopez is essentially a reserve?
The statement that Niederhauser is dominating in the G-League does not receive enough emphasis. The word dominating should be in all caps and underlined, as he has hinted to the Lue and the Clippers that his development at the highest level needs to begin.
In fact, Niederhauser has averaged 14.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, shooting 54.7% from the floor.
Fans of the Clippers are just waiting, twiddling their thumbs, until Lue stops himself in his tracks, realizes he is holding the rookie back, and lets him on the court, anticipating mistakes.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is a picture-perfect copy of what the Clippers need at center
On one side of the ball, Brook Lopez could only provide spot-up or one-dribble three-point shooting. On the other side, it was just pure immobility and lack of effort. In short, Tyronn Lue showed extensive patience to the veteran big man who is no longer in a state of championship production.
Moreover, what can Yanic Konan Niederhauser do that makes him an upgrade? He defends, hustles, rebounds, rises above the rim, and has a fire tingling in his mind that is constantly reminding him what he needs to prove to his coaches and the fan base.
Niederhauser’s G-League stats are on display, out in the open. But it is known that he has posted an offensive rating of 117.2 for the San Diego Clippers, a defensive rating of 98.9, and excels in several other advanced metrics throughout six contests.
The Clippers’ first-round pick should have had a role made for him, so that when Lue accounts for the rookie destroying his G-League competition, a well-deserved call-up can occur.
Yet, Lue is playing monkey in the middle with the backup center role, and would rather Niederhauser’s excellence go to San Diego than his team that needs it.
That said, Niederhauser is the Clippers’ hidden gem. He is ultimately ready to try Lopez’s old spot. If he fails, has a reckless stretch of turnovers, or misses an open look for a bad shot, at least the rookie is learning; that is the way things in the NBA work.