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Los Angeles Clippers: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

November 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during a stoppage in play against Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during a stoppage in play against Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers
October 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Key Storylines: 2. Bench Expectations

If the story of the Los Angeles Clippers’ bench over the last few seasons were to be written by a famous author, it probably wouldn’t have been penned by Charles Dickens. On the contrary, someone like Lemony Snicket would’ve felt more appropriate.

To be fair to the Clippers’ much maligned second unit, they weren’t terrible by every measure last year. In fact, their 38.0 points per game ranked fourth out of every bench in the NBA. Not too shabby, eh?

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    • Unfortunately, all that scoring was balanced out by inefficient shooting (.423/.325/.780) and nonexistent defense. Despite their impressive point totals, the -0.7 plus/minus of the Clippers bench ranked 19th in the league and beat only three other playoff teams: the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons.

    Austin Rivers has grown over the last few seasons, only no one has noticed it over his one or two patented embarrassing plays per game. Jamal Crawford is an inefficient gunner who’s shot under 42 percent from the field in each of his last three seasons and had no business winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award last year.

    Once pegged as a 3-and-D prototype, Wesley Johnson only shot 33.3 percent from downtown last year. Mbah a Moute will provide defense and rebounding in limited minutes, but little else. Paul Pierce is all but washed up and can’t be relied upon in any capacity during his twilight years.

    The leaves the onus on Rivers, Crawford and the newcomers to carry the load. Speights will spread the floor and put up points in a hurry, but is a liability on the defensive end. Raymond Felton brings poise, smart passing and veteran experience, but can’t make a three to save his life.

    Brandon Bass barely managed 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game off the bench for the lowly Los Angeles Lakers last season, and Alan Anderson is another irrational confidence guy whose production will be hit or miss. The rookies probably won’t play much, but for Doc Rivers’ second unit, did they do enough to shore up the lackluster defense and shooting efficiency?

    Next: Storyline 3: Is This The Year? (It'd Better Be.)

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