With different variants of scoring, the LA Clippers’ on-ball system through James Harden will flourish next season. He has the tools to do the scoring himself, or he can lob the rock in the air to the newly added power forward, John Collins, for a big-time slam.
Harden’s prominence on the Clippers next season inevitably increases if Kawhi Leonard’s punishment for the investigation he is in the midst of is severe, and has him missing a chunk of the season.
Harden may have to prioritize scoring over assisting, and so will Bradley Beal, as these two must cover up for the lost grounds with Leonard, if guilty, which is a difficult task, as the two-time champion is a first-option type of offensive machine.
However, Tyronn Lue will enforce Beal’s operation around Harden as the secondary guy, despite being most known for scoring within a ball-dominant fashion. This seems like a ready-to-erupt volcano, equating to a disaster, next season, but a key stat shows how the Clippers could be surprised with the three-time all-star’s production in a unique way.
Bradley Beal will flourish in the paint next season for the LA Clippers
Driving buckets in the NBA is done through the upper body, with different angles of maneuvering closer to the rim, yet players must use their legs to create space and sprint with effort. The more the merrier, and this correlates to the level of difficulty, as extra energy exerted can lead to a simple bucket.
Furthermore, players can drive to the cup with the ball in their hands, or they can cut through and around a defense to catch a quick pass and make a high-quality attempt. Either way, Bradley Beal was elite in driving to the iron with the Phoenix Suns last season, and he will only be better next season, with the LA Clippers.
On drives, Beal shot 59.2% last season and attempted four per game. These were both top three on the Suns, showing how efficient he can be in impacting the game more than attempting fancy jumpers and pull-up three-pointers.
Moreover, with James Harden, Beal will be driving and attempting more than four attempts each night. Because he is so efficient, the 11-time All-Star will acknowledge through repetition how dominant his wingman is inside the paint.
Harden will not will not be alone in making this mid-season realization, as will Tyronn Lue and the LA Clippers, elevating the offense in yet another way.