USA Today via Reuters
Jan 15, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) high fives guard-forward Nicolas Batum (33) after a play against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 15, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) high fives guard-forward Nicolas Batum (33) after a play against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers went all in when they created the dynamic duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Although the two stars carried the team to the second seed in the West, come 2020 playoff time, their form was missing.
In fact, the Clippers had one of the worst meltdowns in NBA history in the 2020 postseason. They fumbled a 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets in the Western semi-finals. As a result, the whole team received a lot of flak from fans.
After that disastrous playoff run, this season the franchise is looking much better. Paul George in particular has answered his critics with amazing performances throughout the season. Currently, the Clippers hold the third seed in the conference with a record of 24-12.
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While the team has an excellent record, there is still one glaring error that they need to get rid of before this year’s playoffs.
NBA reporter points out a huge flaw in Clippers’ performances
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 7, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Farbod Esnaashari recently revealed some clutch stats for the top players from LA. In the list, it was quite evident that despite the team winning games, both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are struggling to score consistently during the final minutes of games.
Clippers clutch minutes this season:
Kawhi: 7/25 FGs, 0/6 3Ps, 35 min, 13 games
PG: 2/8 FGs, 2/7 3Ps, 22 min, 10 games
Batum: 4/8 FGs, 4/8 3Ps, 35 min, 15 games
Lou: 5/10 FGs, 3/5 3Ps, 18 min, 10 gamesNeed to generate better looks outside Kawhi/PG hero ball, or hero threes.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) March 1, 2021
Looking at the stats, it is easy to point out that both Lou Williams and Nicolas Batum have performed better in the clutch than the Kawhi-PG duo. However, one might argue that being the top players in the team, they are sometimes heavily contested during the crucial minutes of the game. Farbod had an answer for this as well, and he tweeted:
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“If these attempts were “good shots” btw, then that’s basically just saying Kawhi has been insanely unclutch this season. The best looks they’ve had were corner threes for Batum/Morris/Lou in the clutch.”
If these attempts were "good shots" btw, then that's basically just saying Kawhi has been insanely unclutch this season. The best looks they've had were corner threes for Batum/Morris/Lou in the clutch.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) March 1, 2021
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Whether other players will get a chance to take big-time shots or not, is head coach Tyronn Lue’s job to figure out. One thing is clear; the team needs to improve their clutch shooting. Otherwise, it might haunt them during the playoffs like last season.
What are your thoughts on this eye-opening stat for the LA Clippers?
