Hoops Habit
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NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team’s Wish List

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lance Stephenson (1) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Clippers defeated the Timberwolves 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Clippers

A Bench

I tried to avoid duplication as much as possible, but the Los Angeles Clippers won’t be contending for anything other than a second round playoff exit if they don’t figure out their bench situation. Lob City’s bench may not be as bad as we make them out to be, but it’s easily the worst second unit among teams that fancy themselves to be title contenders.

The Clippers’ reserves rank 23rd in scoring, 21st in point differential, 29th in field goal percentage and 29th in three-point percentage. Paul Pierce has been close to useless, Lance Stephenson has become far more valuable with his minutes being cut, Josh Smith is shooting under 40 percent from the floor and their most helpful reserve, Jamal Crawford, has been on the trade block since ‘Nam.

On paper, Doc Rivers upgraded the bench with limited cap space over the summer. In reality, the bench has been just as bad as last year. Unless Rivers has a trade up his sleeve or the Truth still has some extra gas in the tank that he’s saving for the postseason, the Clippers’ Achilles heel will continue to get lit up come playoff time.

Next: Los Angeles Lakers