Clippers' trade deadline steal quietly emerging as ultimate x-factor

Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers
Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The LA Clippers' success this season has been in-tune with several aspects in wins and losses. These could be affected by coaching schemes, superstar assistance, or role players with a select list of duties they must consistently satisfy. 

Furthermore, the Clippers have won 12 of their last 15 games. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have played at an all-world level, but one role-playing stud has been thriving, especially in victorious outputs.

Deadline acquisition Bogdan Bogdanović is showing enthusiasm and excitement on the floor, similar to how he played earlier with the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings. This flicker has been generated by Harden's leadership and playmaking trust.

To get to this point, it did take Bogdanović's time and dedication. He was off-target when shooting for the Clippers just after the deadline, but his work ethic remained consistent enough for progress to unwind inevitably.

Bogdanović has worked with Ben Simmons before and after hours while constantly being told by his teammates and coach to shoot without hesitation. Now, a defender could be in his grill, and the Serbian star will let it fly. 

Nonetheless, Bogdanović's efficient scoring implies that the overall results parallel his performance. 

The LA Clippers need Bogdan Bogdanović to prosper in order to win

To pull himself out of a slump, Bogdan Bogdanović consistently stuck to the mechanics and timing of his jump shot. This has made it seem to fans that the ball swooshes through the net every time he shoots.

In 24 games for the Clippers, Bogdanović has averaged 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, shooting 47.7% from the floor and 41.2% from beyond the arc. 

This includes a 30-piece given to the Miami Heat on just 16 shot attempts. He also seized 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who won by a 15-point margin.

However, out of the last six times Bogdanović has scored 10 or more, LA has won five. The singular loss was to the Cleveland Cavaliers by five without Kawhi Leonard, when he dropped 16, shooting 6-11, in 30 minutes. 

The correlation between Bogdanović's high scoring and the Clippers' conquest makes sense, as he is a flamethrower on the bench. Opponents may know of him, but because of LA's depth, they prioritize him below guys like James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Norman Powell.

That said, Bogdanović's success must be prolonged into the postseason. He is the Clippers' x-factor and will be a magnet for momentum by producing buckets.

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