LA Clippers: Landry Shamet’s positive COVID test means others must step up

The LA Clippers have experienced a set back with Landry Shamet testing positive for COVID-19. This is a great opportunity for somebody to step up.

The LA Clippers already know that the supporting cast will be crucial due to the coronavirus. That has already come into play before the team has even traveled to Orlando. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, guard Landry Shamet has tested positive for COVID-19.

Shamet was part of the best bench in the league that the Clippers boasted throughout the whole season. He averaged 9.7 points per game and shot 39.2 percent from behind the 3-point line.

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This will be a big loss but the Clippers are still an efficient team in terms of offense. They are 10th in 3-point percentage in the entire NBA. The Clippers make the right decisions in terms of their shots and their chemistry is second to none.

The team is fifth in the league in screen assists. They utilize screens in the half-court to make sure that they get the right shot. You have to make quick decisions in half-court play. The defense will smother you if you don’t do that.

They are a smart team. This team makes sure to attack the defense before the defense collapses on them.

From Kawhi Leonard on down the whole team is great at doing all that. With the team’s makeup, the next man up mentality should not be something that hinders them from reaching their goals.

The team gave up a lot of draft picks to get Paul George. That means they won’t get the necessary young players to build for the future. The young players that they do have though will have to step up in place of Shamet.

It will be a golden opportunity to develop the back end of their roster.

Shamet was the back up to Kawhi Leonard so the Clippers would need a forward. Reggie Jackson and Lou Williams will be relied on even more to create offense as there is no spot-up shooter to lean on. Jackson has been proven to be a microwave type player just like Williams. They will be the best back up guard duo in Orlando.

Here are two different players that would be good options.

Terance Mann

Terance Mann is in his rookie season. He is an inch taller than Landry Shamet. When Shamet was in college he played point guard and was another ball handler that the Clippers had in terms of their backups. With Mann, the Clippers would not miss a beat with his playmaking ability.

He would be able to get open looks for Williams and Jackson to shoot the threes that they would be missing with Shamet. He also is an athletic defender.  That means the Clippers who will miss Shamet’s defensive ability wouldn’t miss a beat.

Mann fits the Clippers philosophy. He makes great decisions and he is very unselfish. He will be another team player that will help the Clippers while in turn getting valuable experience.

Rodney McGruder

The next man up is Rodney McGruder. What McGruder lacks in size and athleticism he makes up for his experience. The Clippers are ready to win. They might not be ready to give the reigns up to a rookie yet.

McGruder has played in 50 games this season while Mann has only played in 35 games. He also has four games of playoff experience which is not all that much but it’s more than Mann.

During McGruder’s career, he has been able to show the ability to knock down the three even though he’s not great at it. He is a smart player that has been able to last this long without athletic gifts. The Clippers will most likely go with him to start off.

While Terance Mann would the best choice because he just fits the system and it would be a great experience the Clippers want to win now. McGruder has been the backup all season.  The Clippers will have to treat this like the beginning of the season though.

There will be training camp and scrimmages to see who should play. Look out for a late-season position battle.