When speaking about strictly offense, the LA Clippers were extremely solid at the starting power forward position because John Collins could shoot from beyond the arc relatively well. This is one of the reasons LA wanted him back, as he posted a three-point percentage of 40.6% on 3.2 attempts per game.
That’s nothing short of good. However, the Clippers had to find a replacement for Collins after he signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. Who did LA land? Rui Hachimura, an even better long-range shooter. Hachimura’s spacing was key to the Los Angeles Lakers’ regular-season success, and arguably why they advanced to the second round of the playoffs, despite being without Luka Doncic entirely and Austin Reaves for a good bit.
Rui Hachimura strengthens the LA Clippers’ frontcourt alongside Brook Lopez
For LA Clippers fans, it was a true joy to watch the team never have to worry about their starting bigs not being able to shoot. John Collins, as mentioned above, was phenomenal, and Brook Lopez, the lead center after the Ivica Zubac trade, shot 36.0% on 4.2 attempts.
When James Harden was with the team, he could operate much more freely, and when Darius Garland arrived, he and Kawhi Leonard did the same. There was never a cluster in the paint, due to the fact that opponents were aware of the elite spacing between Collins and Lopez.
Well, next season, fans should expect things to be taken to the next level. We already know about Lopez, but now Rui Hachimura will be filling in for John Collins.
In 68 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, which is a sufficient sample size, Hachimura went 44.3% from a distance. That’s a level of three-point shooting most players at his position never see in their careers.
Come the playoffs, Hachimura somehow leveled up. He was the Los Angeles Lakers’ top threat from long range, having shot 56.9% (!!!) on nearly six attempts. That’s absurd volume and efficiency.
Additionally, on two separate occasions, one versus the Houston Rockets and the other against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Hachimura knocked down five three-pointers each.
That said, next season is going to be a movie from the Clippers’ frontcourt. Hachimura and Lopez will be running teams off the court with their top offensive strengths, and there isn’t really anything opponents will be able to do to stop them.
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