Los Angeles Clippers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
5. Austin Rivers averages at least 16 points per game
Considering the Clippers lost their starting backcourt in Paul and Redick and an electric scorer off the bench in Crawford, the time is now for Austin Rivers to take his game to the next level. After signing a three-year, $35 million deal in the summer of 2016, Rivers had a career year in averaging 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.8 minutes per game.
With the new makeup of the Clippers’ roster, Rivers is most likely to see himself as the starting shooting guard come opening night, sharing the backcourt with newcomer Patrick Beverley. As a true combo guard, Rivers’ ability to create his own shot will be of most importance without the presence of Paul on the floor.
Last season, 62.2 percent of Rivers’ made field goals came unassisted. With four of the top five in usage rate from the Clippers’ roster last season having departed this summer (Paul, Redick, Crawford, Marreese Speights,) this aspect of Rivers’ game is going to be relied upon more than ever.
To further illustrate this, last season Rivers shot at a 45 percent clip overall on field goals taken after at least three dribbles, including shooting at a 46 percent clip on those taken with seven or greater dribbles. Not surprisingly, it was Paul and Crawford assuming the top two spots in this category.
Along with Beverley, guard Lou Williams is another player who will need to share the responsibilities of creating their own shot. Last season, 61.9 percent of Williams’ made field goals came unassisted, an almost identical return to Rivers. With these two likely to share minutes together in the backcourt, infusing their talents as quickly as possible will be critical for team success.
So with five of the top eight scorers from last year’s roster gone, picking up the scoring slack is naturally going to take some effort. Rivers raising his numbers from 12 to 16 points per game seems reasonable, considering he averaged 17.0 points and 4.3 assists during a 20-game stretch over January and February last season.