Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Reasons Behind Early Struggles
3. Poor Bench Play
Speaking of Jamal Crawford, the Clippers’ bench unit has been as horrendous as advertised. Over the summer, Rivers made some excellent moves with limited cap space, theoretically improving the team’s bench with notable additions like Stephenson, Pierce, Johnson, Josh Smith, Cole Aldrich and Pablo Prigioni, while also re-signing Austin Rivers.
Unfortunately, that group of reserves looks a lot better on paper than it does on the court at the moment.
According to NBA.com, the Clippers’ bench is getting outscored by 4.4 points per 100 possessions this season. That’s not the worst mark in the league by any stretch of the imagination, but Lob City’s bench ranks 21st in the NBA in point differential, 25th in offensive rating and 28th in three-point percentage.
I remember reading articles this summer about the Clippers' much-improved bench. GM Doc Rivers strikes again! pic.twitter.com/6KLmCJF7dK
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) November 19, 2015
If it weren’t for the team’s ever-shifting starting lineups and injuries to CP3 and Redick, the Clippers’ bench stats would probably be even worse.
Crawford is shooting under 40 percent for the second season in a row. Pierce looks washed up and Lance is completely lost. Josh Smith is shooting 35.6 percent from the floor and still jacking up threes, Johnson hardly plays and Austin Rivers has suddenly become the team’s most competent reserve.
No offense to Austin Rivers, but when Austin Rivers is your most competent reserve, your bench is probably not doing so well.
Next: No. 2