NBA PM: Clippers’ Revamped Bench Coming up Short

Clippers’ Revamped Bench Struggling Thus Far

Ever since All-Star point guard Chris Paul arrived in Los Angeles, the expectations for the Clippers as a franchise have continued to increase. Last season, the club recorded 56 victories and reached the Western Conference Semifinals. The Clippers’ playoff elimination was a bitter one to swallow because the team held a 3-1 lead in the series versus a Houston Rockets team that appeared to be awaiting a knockout blow.

However, the Clippers lost Games 5, 6 and 7 by a combined 46 points, with all of those defeats coming by way of double-digit margins. The defeat was one of the worst collapses in NBA playoff history and the Clippers’ thin second unit became one of the early scapegoats.

In response, the team’s front office spent the offseason attempting to strengthen the unit behind Paul and fellow All-Star Blake Griffin. Out the door went players like Matt Barnes (76 games played last season), Glen Davis (74), Spencer Hawes (73) and Hedo Turkoglu (62).

In came the reinforcements most thought the team needed.

The team executed a trade with Charlotte for swingman Lance Stephenson, who struggled mightily during his lone campaign in the Queen City. The team also signed future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce fresh off a round of playoff heroics during his lone season in Washington.  The team stayed local to pry former lottery pick Wesley Johnson away from the Lakers and lastly signed versatile forward Josh Smith, a member of the Rockets team that defeated the franchise in the playoffs last season.

But to date, the Clippers (13-10) have looked far from a dominant team ready for title contention. While Griffin and Paul are continuing to post their typical All-Star-caliber numbers, the team’s bench unit hasn’t been a consistent resource for head coach Doc Rivers all season.

As of games played through December 10, here is how the Clippers’ bench ranks as a collective unit (according to hoopsstats.com):

Points: 32.2 (19th)

Rebounds: 13.5 (28th)

Assists: 6.3 (20th)

Steals: 3.2 (10th)

Blocks: 2.1 (4th)

Field goal percentage: 39.4% (29th)

Three-point percentage: 28.9% (27th)

Individually, there has been positive flashes. Austin Rivers has filled in admirably when Paul missed games due to injury and the guard has developed into a strong penetrating guard.

But Pierce, who is shooting 29 percent from the field, appears to have lost his legs. Smith, once a borderline All-Star candidate, has failed to find a consistent rhythm. Stephenson has been a healthy scratch in some games.

The season is still early so there’s plenty of time for the second unit to rebound. The franchise will need more inspired play from their bench to seriously contend for a title come June.

What Happened to LeBron James’ Minute Restriction?

There was a lot of talk over the summer regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers’ strategy in monitoring the minutes of four-time MVP LeBron James to preserve him for the playoffs (and balance of his career).

However, after 20 games played, James is averaging 37.1 minutes compared to 36.1 last season. To be fair, the current minute allotment is the second lowest of his career, but the totals haven’t shifted toward the early season talk.

“I’m not a 31-, 32-minute guy. That’s just not… that ain’t me,” James said, according Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

“I’m playing at a high level. I’m shooting the ball extremely well and I’m not hurting my team when I’m on the floor. If I’m hurting my team, then I should be sitting down. But I feel good. I’m always kind of like in the middle. I’m not a guy who likes to sit. If we take care of business and we go out and we’re able to beat up on a team and I can sit in the fourth, then I can. If not, then I need to play. If I’m in the lineup then I need to be out on the floor. And I’m not saying I have to be out there 48 minutes or 40 minutes. But I’m going to make an impact.”

Ultimately, James’ minutes may trend downward as the season progresses due to imminent return of All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and swingman Iman Shumpert, both of whom have failed to see any court action this season while nursing injuries.