Los Angeles Clippers: 2018-19 NBA season preview
By Luke Swiatek
Storyline 3: Which guards will play?
As previously alluded to, coach Doc Rivers has a tough to choice to make with six good players at two positions. Now it’s even harder because he can’t just pick his son anymore!
How Rivers distributes minutes among his guards will likely reflect the Los Angeles Clippers’ organizational goals, and it is therefore a key to watch.
If the Clippers start Beverley and Bradley, they’re clearly doubling down on a defensive identity. If they give the nod to Teodosic and Williams, clearly scoring is a key. Mixing and matching, perhaps starting Teodosic with Bradley, could be a wise and balanced approach.
Beyond those four veterans it becomes even more interesting. SGA and Robinson were just drafted in the lottery, so it seems unlikely that they don’t get heavy minutes. Yet then again, they are currently the worst players of the six.
How much time they get will show how much the organization is prioritizing long-term development is being prioritized over winning now.
Furthermore, running the occasional three-guard lineup could show that the Los Angeles Clippers are willing to be unconventional.
The experiment didn’t work so well on the Phoenix Suns a few years ago with Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas and Goran Dragic, but it’s a slightly different and slightly smaller league now.
Speaking of guards, it must really suck to be Jawun Evans, Sindarius Thornwell or Tyrone Wallace right now. If there’s no trade, they’re going to spend a lot of time keeping seats warm.