The Los Angeles Clippers have been struggling since the All-Star break, losing four consecutive games and giving up double-digit leads in three of those losses. The latest defeat was a 115-91 loss to the Golden State Warriors, a game in which the Clippers’ new point guard, Russell Westbrook, was the target of an unusual strategy of avoidance.
The Warriors chose to give Westbrook a wide berth, sagging off multiple strides in an open invitation for the 30% three-point shooter to fire away. On multiple plays, Westbrook dribbled near the top of the three-point arc while the nearest defender waited deep in the paint, more concerned with a Westbrook drive or pass than a shot. While Westbrook finished with eight points and six assists in 28 minutes, the strategy was effective in limiting the Clippers’ offensive options and exacerbating their spacing issues.
Coach Tyronn Lue believes the Clippers’ struggles show what they are made of and he is confident that they have a good team. He said, “I don’t care about missed shots, it’s going to happen. You’re going to turn the ball over some, but you can’t give in and my thing is just having that toughness and that mindset that, OK, things are not going well, then let’s do something about it.”
In order for the Clippers to succeed, they need to find a way to make the most of Westbrook’s skill set. While he showed flashes of his potential in the game against the Warriors, making pinpoint passes and speeding up the pace in transition, he needs to find more consistency in his shooting. The Clippers also need to focus on attention to detail, better effort, and more mental toughness in order to turn their season around.
Despite their recent struggles, the Clippers have the talent to make a strong run at the playoffs. If they can find a way to maximize Westbrook’s contributions and play with more confidence and focus, they have a chance to make a deep run in the postseason.
