Los Angeles Clippers: Matt Barnes Better Off The Bench?

The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping to take the next step this season, and have put together a very talented roster. One of their key players from last season, Matt Barnes has been struggling in a big way this preseason and could be best served coming off of the bench. So far this preseason, he has shot just 3-36 from the floor and is beginning to concern head coach Doc Rivers.

“It’s a concern, yeah. Probably more for Matt than me. I just need Matt to be a great defender, run the floor, be a great slasher. But I don’t care who you are, when you’re 3 for 31 and you’re going to keep telling him that, I’m sure and everyone else is … you’re human. That has to affect you. It’s no doubt. It would be nice to see the ball go in.”

Last season with the Clippers, Barnes ended up averaging 9.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

Those numbers don’t look too terribly great, but he was a great veteran presence and stretched the floor well. Barnes has been an excellent defender throughout his career as well, and helps make up for the lack of defense shown by J.J. Redick on the perimeter. Last season, Barnes only allowed his small forward counterparts to 12.6 PER which is well under the league average. He also had a defensive rating of 106 throughout the season.

Los Angeles is going to need Barnes to come through on the defensive side of the floor once again this year, but they will also need him to knock down open shots. The question arises, would Barnes be better coming in off the bench for the Clippers?

Quite simply, the answer has to be no at this point in time. His defense is too valuable to put on the bench to start games, and he has shown in the past that he is a more than capable shooter. Every player goes through slumps now and then, but the trick is to keep on shooting and playing through it.

Barnes is a professional that understands the game and how to adjust when having an off night. He won’t shoot the Clippers out of games, and he will help them win games on the defensive side of the floor. Without him on the court, the Clippers would struggle defensively and be unable to defend against the more elite wing scorers in the league.

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It will be very intriguing to see what Rivers ends up doing with Barnes, but leaving him on the court as a starter will likely be the answer. He could potentially see some time on the bench until he figures his shot out, but defense is much more important with the current makeup of the Clippers. There are plenty of scorers in the starting lineup, but Barnes is the only legitimate lockdown defender on the perimeter that can defend against shooting guards and small forwards.

Expect to see Barnes continue with his starting role, and it shouldn’t be too terribly long before he gets his shot back.

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