Los Angeles Clippers: 5 goals for Milos Teodosic in 2017-18

4. Control the turnovers

Milos Teodosic is widely considered one of the world’s best passers. However, he hasn’t been able to make his omelettes without breaking some eggs. Teodosic averaged a career-high 6.4 assists per game and 2.7 turnovers in his Russian and EuroLeague games. He averaged a full 3.0 turnovers per game in his 29 EuroLeague matchups.

It should be noted that EuroLeague and Russian league games play 10-minute quarters. Those numbers would be higher if they games were longer. For instance, Teodosic averaged 9.2 assists per 36 minutes in all 50 of his games.

However, he also averaged 3.9 turnovers per 36 in those same games. That amount of turnovers could be problematic when you factor in the increased defensive speed at the NBA level.

Granted, some the NBA’s best average 3.0 or more turnovers per game in 2016-17. MVP candidates James Harden (5.7) and Russell Westbrook (5.4) were the top two in giveaways per game. LeBron James and John Wall were tied for third at 4.1. However, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers will likely not afford a newcomer like Teodosic the same leeway.

Teodosic will be need to balance his outstanding passing vision with the higher pass perception of NBA players. The results will be rewarding for Teodosic and NBA fans if he can figure out how to thread the needle regularly against NBA competition.