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Los Angeles Clippers: Takeaways From 111-104 Win In Season-Opener

By Cameron Stewart

Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) battles for a rebound against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) battles for a rebound against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Clippers core is really, really good.

The Clippers core unit of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan is going to continue to wreak havoc on the league. The unit last year was the most effective four-man lineup in the game and continued that last night. Those four players combined for 74 points on 56.8% shooting. That four-man lineup played 23 minutes together last night and outscored the Kings by 13 points in their shared time on the court.

The deadly four-man lineup is a great balance. Chris Paul is the best floor general in the game and a threat to score from anywhere. Redick is in the perfect system to spread the floor and make use of picks set by Griffin and Jordan with a point guard who will find Redick when he’s open. Griffin could make an argument for best power forward in the NBA and is a deadly pick-and-roll partner for Chris Paul, an almost unstoppable duo. If Blake Griffin has a flaw, it’s his lack of rim protection and defense despite his insane athleticism. That’s where Jordan comes in as the prototype rim protecting, rebounding center. Jordan’s lack of offensive skill is partially negated by his ability to finish at the rim and also by his ferocious runs to the rim after setting picks, like the one here.

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The group is also deadly in transition, as all of those players can run the floor. Think about being a defender and having to decide which player to guard on the fast break. Do you guard the all-world point guard who can pull up for three, a mid-range shot, or lay-up? How about Redick, one of the deadliest in the league at pulling up from deep in transition? Do you want to be the latest victim of a Lob City highlight?

The bottom line is that this group is a special one and they’ve proved that their skills and chemistry are top notch.

Next: Who's the 5th guy?

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