Reggie Jackson can’t switch onto everyone, and nor can Marcus Morris, though due to lack of rim protection, that’s probably the defensive coverage they’ll have to run. Kawhi and PG are good defenders, but the other three were below average last year. The issue for this lineup will come on the other end of the court. Putting Norm and Reggie next to PG and Kahwi provides more downhill attacking, and the spacing here should lead to endless drive and kicks.
I’m not sure how anyone would be able to stop this unit without excellent switching defenses with at least four strong defenders, and even then this lineup could cook. The Clippers will be able to put out five excellent three-point shooters, and every guy on the court can take advantage of mismatches to some extent or another. This is the most offense-oriented group the Clippers can put out there, outside of maybe subbing Norman Powell for Luke Kennard. Reggie Jackson – Norman Powell – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris I don’t know if this group will work great against super speedy point guards (Ja Morant) or dominant big men (Jokic, Embiid, Giannis), but I love it against just about everyone else, especially as it’s the best rebounding of the Clippers’ small-ball lineups. Small-small pick and rolls should be particularly effective, as every player in this unit has just enough ballhandling and passing skills to work in the short roll and make the next read. And even in the halfcourt, there’s enough shooting to spread the floor and enable Kawhi and PG to break down the defense. Kawhi and George will have heavy burdens offensively with this unit, but getting stops and forcing turnovers should help them get out in transition and rely less on halfcourt offense. The defense should also help to make up for a bit of a dearth in creation and playmaking. George and Kawhi in particular don’t reach those heights on a game-to-game basis, but for short stretches where the Clippers need to lock down, this lineup will be their best for defensive versatility and perimeter stopping power. Every single player is an above average defender, and four of them (all but Mann) have played at close to an All-Defense level within the past couple years. Not only is Mann a far superior defender to Morris, he adds an energy, athleticism, and transition juice that this otherwise elderly Clippers’ unit could use. This lineup, under some designations, would feature Marcus Morris instead of Terance Mann to put a unit of all 6’7+ forwards, but I prefer this one with Mann. Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Nic Batum – Robert Covington Of the myriad of potential lineup combinations, these are the three Clippers’ units that I’m most looking forward to watching in 2023. Truly embodying the “team player” mentality, these hoopers have started many games throughout their respective careers and are more than open to absolutely terrorizing backup units.The 2023 Clippers run 12-deep in NBA rotation players, which means that head coach Ty Lue will have a challenging time figuring out lineups and rotations.
Each of the three can knock down a shot, guard the other team’s best player, and be an overall pest on each side of the ball. Described as “glue guys,” Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum, and Robert Covington all possess the ability to contribute to the game in every way possible. As reserves, their potential as a dynamic duo is unfair as they would be starters elsewhere.Īdding to the intimidation of Los Angeles’ rotation is the well-roundedness of its supporting wings. Just last season, Jackson and Powell combined for almost 40 points per game. For one, guards like Reggie Jackson and Norman Powell would be asked to be lead scoring options for many organizations, where instead they likely don’t sniff the top-three in points per game for Steve Ballmer’s squad. The biggest part of what makes the Clippers such a dangerous foe for opponents is their firepower that will be facing other teams’ backups.
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