NBA Playoffs 2012: Grading the L.A. Clippers Midway Through the First Round

After pulling off a stunning 27-point comeback in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Clippers fell short in Game 2.

As the series shifts from the FedEx Forum to the Staples Center, it's time to take a look at how each Clipper has performed so far in the postseason.

How has the team dealt with the roster tweaks due to Caron Butler's broken hand? Has Blake Griffin underachieved so far in this series? What are the positives and negatives to draw from the first couple contests in Memphis?

These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed as we break down every Clipper's start to the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan knows his role in the Clippers' lineup is primarily to defend and rebound, and he has stayed true to that in the first couple games against the Grizzlies.

He's a limited offensive player, and the pace of this series hasn't helped at all. Memphis hasn't allowed him to get out and finish in transition much.

Jordan has rebounded the ball fairly well, and he's done his best to protect the rim with six blocks in two games. But Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have outplayed him when it comes to positioning and physicality.

Series Grade through Game 2: B

Kenyon Martin

Despite his athleticism and activeness on defense, Kenyon Martin hasn't helped Los Angeles much in this series.

I'm not saying he's counterproductive, but he just hasn't been much of an asset for Del Negro on either end of the court.

Offensively, he's been a nonfactor, and he's actually been one of the main reasons the Clippers have had a fragmented half-court flow.

The only thing that saves his grade is his shot-blocking (five blocks so far in the series).

Series Grade through Game 2: C

Mo Williams

With Los Angeles' backcourt depth even thinner after Caron Butler's injury, it's vital that players like Mo Williams make the most of their appearances.

Williams was more effective defensively in Game 1 than Game 2, but coach Vinny Del Negro can't complain about his Game 2 production: 11 points, four assists and perfect free-throw conversions. His outside shooting kept the Clippers in the game in the fourth quarter.

As the series wears on, Williams' defense and shot selection will be a key factor for Los Angeles.

Grade through Game 2: B+

Bobby Simmons

After Caron Butler was ruled out for weeks with his broken hand, Del Negro decided to fill his starting spot in Game 2 with Bobby Simmons, a better defender than Nick Young.

Simmons gave up several buckets to Memphis' backcourt, as Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo both had excellent nights.

However, we can't blame the Grizzlies' barrage solely on Simmons. Part of it was the team collectively failing to rotate on the outside, and part of it was Memphis hitting tough mid-range jumpers. On offense, Simmons made some nice plays with his limited touches.

But he's not completely off the hook.

Series Grade through Game 2: B

Reggie Evans

It's no coincidence that Los Angeles' Game 1 point differential was +23 when Reggie Evans was on the floor. The reserve forward was a monster on the glass, ripping down 13 boards.

Game 2 had a different theme. Evans was dominated physically by the Memphis' bigs, who did a fine job of nullifying his impact on the game. 

However, his subpar Game 2 results weren't a product of laziness, as he remained active on defense and even broke up some passes on the perimeter.

The bottom line is that he can't afford to have more fouls than rebounds, which was the case in Game 2.

Grade through Game 2: B

Randy Foye

Randy Foye averaged a respectable 11 points per game in the regular season, but he's struggled to find his role in the offense thus far in the playoffs.

Memphis' backcourt has done a good job of limiting his effectiveness, as they've prevented him from getting high-percentage three-point chances.

If the Butler-less Clippers want to prevail over Memphis, Foye must find a way to score more than three or six points, especially since he's seeing about 25 minutes of playing time per contest.

Grade through Game 2: D

Caron Butler

Caron Butler's grade will end up being an "Incomplete" for this series because of his broken hand, but let's examine his work in Game 1.

Butler was involved in all phases of the game and he ended up with 12 points, which is identical to his regular season average.

But that satisfactory number is tarnished by the fact that he missed all of his three-point attempts and he wasn't a factor on the boards.

Series Grade through Game 1: C

Nick Young

The poster boy of Los Angeles' Game 1 comeback was Nick Young, who drilled a trio of threes that accelerated the Clippers' rally.

In Game 2, he shot the ball just as effectively, but struggled on the defensive end.

Young isn't expected to be a phenomenal stopper in this series, but Del Negro was hoping for something better. He and the rest of the Clippers' perimeter defenders need to tighten up their rotations.

Also, he needs to be careful about taking hurried, contested shots early in the shot-clock.

Grade through Game 2: B

Blake Griffin

Memphis has controlled the style and pace of play for most of this series, so Lob City has been relatively nonexistent for Blake Griffin and the Clippers.

In the half-court setting, it seems like Griffin can't make up his mind whether he wants to be a beast or not.

There have been times, like the third quarter of Game 2, when he's asserted himself and attacked the hoop. Other times, he settles for an off-balance shot or kicking it out to a guard.

Defensively, I'll give Griffin good marks for not letting the Grizzlies' post players take over the game.

When it comes to rebounding, it's clear that the physicality of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Marreese Speights is taxing on him.

Series Grade through Game 2: C+

Eric Bledsoe

After giving Eric Bledsoe 20 minutes of Game 1 action, Del Negro limited the guard to seven minutes in Game 2—and rightfully so.

Bledsoe followed up a decent Game 1 performance with a disappointing Game 2. On a couple occasions, he tried to do too much while driving the lane, and it resulted in unnecessary turnovers.

The Clippers need him to be much more efficient and make a greater impact in the backcourt when they return home for Game 3.

Grade through Game 2: C

Chris Paul

CP3 is the best player on either team in this series, and his orchestration of Los Angeles' Game 1 comeback was a special performance.

At times I wonder whether the Clippers offense involves too much dribbling and maneuvering by Chris Paul, but on the other hand, he's the only one who can consistently make something happen. 

His 29-point, six-assist effort in Game 2 kept things close for the Clippers, even though Memphis was playing a better brand of basketball.

Despite having six steals in two games, there is still room for improvement for Paul when it comes to neutralizing Mike Conley.

Series Grade through Game 2: A

Vinny Del Negro

In the NBA, coach evaluations are ultimately based on wins and losses, that's exactly how Vinny Del Negro will be assessed here.

In Game 1, he trusted Chris Paul enough to let him back into the game and finally get some momentum in the fourth quarter. He pushed all the right buttons defensively, as Los Angeles slowed down Memphis for a big chunk of time in the fourth quarter.

Game 2 started off well for the Clippers, but once Memphis took the upper hand, Del Negro wasn't able to combat the Grizzlies' physicality or generate any kind of fluidity in the offense.

Series Grade through Game 2: B-

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