When superstar Paul George signed with Philadelphia and the LA Clippers announced the injury to two-way stud Kawhi Leonard, fans remained optimistic about the team’s offensive dimensions. They still had a former MVP in James Harden, an underrated threat in Norman Powell, and a glass-cleaning force in Ivica Zubac. These three seemed capable enough to hold the ship down until Leonard made his return.
However, defensively, fans worried the Clippers did not possess enough to stretch 94 feet. They had signed several role players who could defend at a high level, but there was no true superstar to lead that end of the court.
The truth is, they never needed anyone outside of what they already had. Signing defensive-minded role players has paid off to their success today, but the true difference-maker arrived in June when the Clippers were plotting the unexpected.
Head coach Tyronn Lue’s primary assistant, Jeff Van Gundy, has been an overlooked contributor to the Clippers’ winning record. He has strategically schemed up a defensive powerhouse that opposing teams have been unable to surpass. Without Van Gundy’s sideline presence, Lue’s game plan would be easy to read.
Jeff Van Gundy has posed as a heroic sideline figure for the LA Clippers this season.
LA Clippers’ lead assistant, Jeff Van Gundy, has been a mastermind behind the scenes. Not only has he challenged each player to show their best effort, but the 62-year-old genius studied analytics and formulated different lineups that thrive defensively.
Statistically speaking, the Clippers rank fifth in defensive net rating, fifth in points allowed, and sixth in turnovers forced per game. These numbers are magnificent when factoring in how Van Gundy has been without Kawhi Leonard, the team’s best defender.
Through the camera lens, the Clippers remain persistent in challenging their opponents to score in the toughest ways. Van Gundy has his players switching easily, fighting through screens, and sliding their feet to the best of their abilities. It seems as if each possession, opposing teams fail to find an open basket and resort to contested attempts late in the shot clock.
Soon enough, Van Gundy will have a two-time defensive player of the year to plot around. This will revolutionize the game plan for Lue and the Clippers.
That said, Van Gundy prioritized team defense in the summer, and it translated to the regular season. Through his experience and countless hours of film study, the Clippers hold some of the best defensive dynamics in the NBA today.