The LA Clippers needed help in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Paul George was a non-factor and the team looked flat. In came Landry Shamet to help.
There is always an X-Factor in an NBA playoffs series. Landry Shamet has been the unsung hero for the LA Clippers. He has helped give the team the boost that they needed to win the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, if indeed they’re able to win.
Shamet has been starting for the injured Patrick Beverley. Beverley, who is their vocal leader, injured his calf in Game 1 and has been out ever since.
Reggie Jackson started Game 2 and the result was that the Clippers lost the game. That loss is one of the reasons the Dallas Mavericks have life in this series.
The Clips knew they needed somebody to replace the spot-up shooting and defense that Beverley was so great at. In came Shamet for Game 3.
Shamet started the seeding game against the Mavericks. That game was the best game that the Clippers had in seeding play, a 126-111 victory.
It was easy to notice that the team was more efficient in shooting the ball and played better defense. Shamet allows the team to give Paul George and Kawhi Leonard more of a playmaking role.
Also, he is a spot-up shooter for a team that lacks 3-point ability in the starting lineup. Teams have to account for him and that opens things up for the Clippers’ two stars.
A vocal leader like Patrick Beverley is hard to find. He wills the team through tough times on and off the court. The more reserved Shamet lent a hand to Paul George during his shooting slump.
Here’s what Shamet said about George’s shooting slump:
"“I mean it’s Paul George,” shooting guard Landry Shamet said of all that is swirling around George. “He’s got his own shoe, he’s been on the cover of a video game, it’s not the first time he’s been publicly scrutinized. I don’t think it is anything new to him. There is obviously a lot of pressure on this team. We have championship expectations but … is he still being a good teammate? Yeah.”"
Being a point guard is like being the quarterback of a football team. Everybody has their role and he understands each one.
Also, they have to understand that some players will be going through things and they can’t always produce like they always do.
The point guard is like the coach on the court. Think Confucius in 2020.
Shamet has played small forward for the reserves. He has had to provide 3-point scoring and guard wing players.
George has struggled in both categories this series. After the pep talk from Shamet, George scored 35 points and the team scored a franchise-record 154 points in the playoffs.
Shamet is averaging 7.8 points per game, is shooting 44.4 percent from three and 50.0 percent from the field.
With the Clippers failing to make their shots, Shamet has been a model of consistency for a mentally drained team.
While Shamet is no Beverley, he has been able to provide vocal support and consistency in the first round. He is the unsung hero for the LA Clippers.