Read on Twitter
Man it's been awhile, so here are the top three things I'll be paying close attention to in TONIGHT'S (!) Lakers/Clippers matchup...
1) Who are guards Kawhi?
We saw how the KCP experiment went for the Lakers and basing it off that small sample, we can safely say it's a tough matchup (granted that's the case for every defender) but let's look closer at all who else could be a worthy candidate.
We saw how the KCP experiment went for the Lakers and basing it off that small sample, we can safely say it's a tough matchup (granted that's the case for every defender) but let's look closer at all who else could be a worthy candidate.
Option #1 : Danny Green
According to @The_BBall_Index, Green spent 27.8% of the time defending "tier one" players (97th %-ile) & similarly, often was tasked w/checking All-NBA caliber opponents (91st %-ile)
He also was in the 86th %-ile or higher in defPIPM, DRPM and defRAPTOR
According to @The_BBall_Index, Green spent 27.8% of the time defending "tier one" players (97th %-ile) & similarly, often was tasked w/checking All-NBA caliber opponents (91st %-ile)
He also was in the 86th %-ile or higher in defPIPM, DRPM and defRAPTOR
Option #2: Anthony Davis
We didn't see this much outside of switch scenarios, but think AD on Kawhi is a potential cover Frank Vogel throws at the Clippers during a game/series. AD was 3rd this year among players w/at least 1500 min in Def-Role Versatility ( @The_BBall_Index ).
We didn't see this much outside of switch scenarios, but think AD on Kawhi is a potential cover Frank Vogel throws at the Clippers during a game/series. AD was 3rd this year among players w/at least 1500 min in Def-Role Versatility ( @The_BBall_Index ).
LeBron, Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, Markieff Morris, etc, will all likely see at least some time on Kawhi as no individual will be the answer. But they do at least have some options here. Will be curious who gets the chunk of time on him tonight.
What I'll be looking for #2): Who will pick up the scoring outside of the stars? The Lakers' 3rd option? Will the Clippers' bench advantage change at all/stay consistent?
Lakers bench --
Game 1: 19
Game 2: 49
Game 3: 25
Clippers bench --
Game 1: 60
Game 2: 36
Game 3: 37
Lakers bench --
Game 1: 19
Game 2: 49
Game 3: 25
Clippers bench --
Game 1: 60
Game 2: 36
Game 3: 37
What I'll be looking for #3): Anthony Davis' shot profile, jumper.
AD against the Clippers this year --
Restricted area: 13/16 (81.6%)
Midrange: 7/17 (41.2%)
Three: 2/12 (16.7%)
AD against the Clippers this year --
Restricted area: 13/16 (81.6%)
Midrange: 7/17 (41.2%)
Three: 2/12 (16.7%)
