Los Angeles Clippers: Remaining Areas Of Concern
By Micky Shaked
May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) talks to forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Rivers hit the jackpot with Hawes. He provides floor stretching neither DeAndre Jordan nor Blake Griffin can offer, though Griffin continues to expand his range.
Before signing Hawes, the Los Angeles Clippers had a rebound problem, finishing 20th in total rebounding percentage. This despite Jordan grabbing 71.6 percent of rebound chances and leading the league in that category. Now that Glen Davis isn’t the third-best glass cleaner on the team, and Doc won’t have to play as much small ball with Hawes around, rebounding shouldn’t be as much of an issue.
You look at this trio of bigs and see tons of offensive firepower and rebounding. But it also lacks a true rim protector. As the team’s best shot-alterer, Jordan’s 49.4 opponents’ field-goal percentage at the rim ranked 37th among players who faced at least four such attempts per game. Hawes (53.3 percent) and Griffin (53.5 percent) don’t exactly strike fear in the paint.
When the stakes raised in the playoffs, the Clippers buckled on defense. They went from surrendering an okay 101.0 points per game to 106.8 in the playoffs. Only the Rockets, Warriors (who they dispatched in the first round) and Trail Blazers were leakier. Los Angeles allowed the fifth-highest percentage within five feet of the hoop. Needless to say, a fourth big focused solely on contesting anything that comes to the paint would take pressure off the others.