LA Clippers: Joakim Noah’s defense adds to an already stacked team

The LA Clippers added even more depth when they signed Joakim Noah to a contract this week. He will help this team even more on defense.

The LA Clippers are close to embarking on their journey to an NBA championship in Orlando. They couldn’t escape drama as their practice facility was shut down due to the fact that there was a positive coronavirus test among the traveling party. This is just a small bump in the road and shouldn’t too much of a problem.

While there has been a little drama the Clippers made a signing that will help the already deep roster. Joakim Noah signed a 10-day contract with the team in March but was signed to a regular contract this week. Noah will help the team out defensively.

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The Clippers are fifth in the league in defensive rating with a rating of 106.6. They have some of the best defenders in the NBA like Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley. Now they have added another historically great defender in Noah.

Noah is 37th all-time in terms of defensive rating with a rating of 100.32. He is a three-time All-Defensive team player, the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year and a former All-NBA player. At this point in his career, the Clippers are signing Noah because of his savvy defense.

For these Orlando games, the teams that are able to play smothering defense will be the teams that are able to grind out the tough games. Teams are not playing in familiar territory. There are no home games to rely on to have a crowd behind you. Momentum will be crucial. Defensive stops for easy buckets will be critical.

Noah will be a force in the middle and will help the Clippers stop easy baskets that will lead to points in transition. He hasn’t been a dominant force blocking the ball in years but he will be able to still stop players from getting those backbreaking easy baskets.

The Clippers have built a tough team that can do it all. There may be some problems with 3-point shooting but this team is still very efficient. Noah has experience being on a team like the Clippers.

His early years were spent with the tough and dominant Chicago Bulls. The Bulls always went deep in the playoffs and were a contender for most of his time there. That team was built upon defense and for many years they were among the best defensive teams in the league.

Noah is bringing plenty of playoff experience, a historical defensive skill set and even more toughness to this team. With vocal players like Marcus Morris Sr., Patrick Beverly and Noah this team is ready to grind it out with any opponent.

Nobody will want to face the Clippers. In a neutral site where mental toughness will be key, they reign supreme. If you are not ready to face the Clippers then you will succumb to the pressure due to the fact that this team is mentally and physically tough.

Joakim Noah was a great signing for the Clippers and he brings along an abundance of experience. With the roster that they have, they are prepared to take Orlando by storm.