What We Learned About the Los Angeles Clippers During 2014-15 NBA Season
The 2014-15 Los Angeles Clippers (56-26) will always be remembered for failing to close out the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA playoffs despite leading the series 3-1. Regardless of the result, we learned quite a bit about the team throughout the season.
Lest we forget, this Clippers team made history. For the first time in the franchise's 45-year existence, the Clippers made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
We had the pleasure of seeing Blake Griffin grow into one of the most versatile players in the league.
DeAndre Jordan was finally molded into the player head coach Doc Rivers expected him to become.
A father-and-son connection, once maligned, was praised—even if for only a few magical playoff nights.
The wild ride that is the NBA season has finally come to an end for the Clippers. Although the team failed to advance to the conference finals, there is plenty to build off and look forward to.
Despite the Numbers, Rebounding Is a Weakness
1 of 5
A primary philosophy of Rivers' teams revolves around transition defense and essentially forfeiting offensive rebounds. Instead of attempting to create extra possessions, the objective is to prevent transition baskets and set the defense as quickly as possible.
In order to accurately gauge a team's rebounding, looking at rebound percentage is key. The Clippers ranked 16th in total rebound percentage (49.8) and ninth (75.7) in defensive rebound percentage during the regular season.
The numbers say the Clippers are a good defensive-rebounding team. They do not allow extra possessions off the glass, mainly because Jordan grabs everything in sight.
During the playoffs, the team grabbed 75.0 percent of defensive rebounds. Unfortunately, the Clippers had major problems giving up offensive rebounds to opposing bigs in key situations.
Against the San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan (19), Kawhi Leonard (13), Boris Diaw (13) and Tiago Splitter (13) combined for 58 offensive rebounds. The entire Clippers roster grabbed 66.
The same happened against the Rockets: Dwight Howard (26), Josh Smith (12), Terrence Jones (12) and Clint Capela (eight) combined for 58 against the Clippers' 69.
Considering Rivers' crunch-time lineups, the Clippers rely on Jamal Crawford playing minutes as a reserve small forward. It also does not help that Glen Davis spelled Griffin and Jordan off the bench.
The team needs another reliable forward who can help on the defensive glass.
Blake Griffin Continues to Expand His Game
2 of 5
Primarily known for his highlight dunks, Griffin displayed a more well-rounded offensive arsenal this season. Most notably, he worked diligently on his shooting form during the summer, and it paid off.
Back in October, Griffin told the Los Angeles Times' Melissa Rohlin about his shooting regimen during the summer:
"We got to the point where we were making 500-plus shots every day."
The improvement was noticeable. His form was more compact and replicable. As a result, Griffin made a career-high 40.4 percent of his jumpers between 16 feet out and the three-point line.
Shooting wasn't the only skill that improved. He became more of a creator and facilitator, dishing out a career-best 5.3 assists per game.
His improved jumper forced defenders to pick their poison. Play off Griffin, and he could bury a jumper. Press up tight, and he could attack off the dribble and finish at the rim or kick the ball out for an open three.
The development of an improved jumper during his fifth season should frighten opponents. The more his game evolves, the more difficult Griffin will be to defend. He is becoming an all-around, skilled forward. The best is yet to come.
Doc Rivers Has Much to Learn as President of Basketball Operations
3 of 5
There might not be a better leader of men in the entire league than Rivers. He is a master motivator and someone who is more than willing to carry a burden in order to lighten the weight for those around him.
This was the case during the 2014 NBA playoffs, when Rivers became the face of the franchise during the Donald Sterling situation.
He is also a good coach, capable of motivating his players with his words, designing great out-of-bounds plays and flashing the championship ring he won as head coach of the 2007-08 Boston Celtics.
Despite his coaching acumen, he has struggled in his role as president of basketball operations since being promoted by the franchise's new owner, Steve Ballmer, this past summer.
The Clippers bench was a disaster this season. Most of the blame can be attributed to Rivers, considering he was the architect.
He signed Spencer Hawes for the mid-level exception and Jordan Farmar via the bi-annual exception. Hawes had one of the worst years of his career, shooting a career-worst 39.3 percent from the field. The team waived Farmar in mid-January.
Additionally, Rivers dealt Jared Dudley and a first-round pick before the season to the Milwaukee Bucks for Carlos Delfino and Miroslav Raduljica.
He then used the stretch provision to waive both players, paying them their salaries spread out over the remainder of their contracts plus one year. He used those extra roster spots to sign Ekpe Udoh and Chris Douglas-Roberts.
The Clippers have few assets to use in trade packages and few options to improve through the draft, largely because of the deals Rivers made. He needs help building this roster, because his moves have not worked out.
DeAndre Jordan Is Vital to the Team's Success
4 of 5
One of the most athletic bigs the NBA has ever seen, Jordan has continued to develop his game. While statistics don't always tell the full story, Jordan's open eyes.
He has led the league in rebounding and field-goal percentage the past two seasons, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon. Unfortunately, his poor free-throw shooting looks like it is here to stay as well.
However, Jordan is more than dunks and rebounds. He is the heart of the Clippers defense.
Dan Woike of the Orange County Register summed up Jordan's impact against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 1 of the opening-round playoff series:
"As Jordan roamed from sideline to sideline, calling out the Spurs’ plays, tagging ball-handlers, swatting shots and corralling rebounds, basketball fans on social media began to connect Jordan to the award Rivers touted him for.
"
Rivers has been trying to unleash this version of Jordan: a defensive anchor Rivers can build his system around.
Watching Jordan play this season, it seems as though the light has turned on. Jordan knows where he needs to be on the floor and where the help should come from, but he is also making fewer errors and dumb fouls.
In fact, Jordan recorded the lowest foul rate of his career. He fouled only 4.4 times per 100 possessions, down from his career average of 5.3.
Considering his consistent development, it seems to be only a matter of time before he wins a Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Team Is a Few Tweaks from Reaching Its Potential
5 of 5
The team looks to be a few tweaks away from reaching its first conference finals appearance. A few changes to the offensive strategy—what system is the bench running?—and the roster might put the Clippers over the top next season.
How will the needs be addressed, considering the team's limited options to improve this summer?
Jordan's contract expires, but there is no way the franchise can let him depart. He is priority No. 1.
Re-signing Jordan will likely leave management with only the taxpayer exception (starting at $3 million). Outside of their own players, the Clippers will have this exception and minimum contracts to offer.
Rivers could opt to shop Crawford, Matt Barnes or Hawes, but it would likely take a combination of two of them, and possibly C.J. Wilcox, to entice a team to make a swap.
The Clippers must find a reserve point guard, could use another big and must find a wing who can either defend the perimeter or shoot.
With a few tweaks here and there, the bench should improve. This would allow Rivers more flexibility with his rotations. More importantly, Rivers can limit the minutes of Chris Paul, Griffin and Jordan during the regular season and playoffs, saving them from the exhaustion that set in this season.
All statistics are accurate as of May 18 and courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.
For more Clippers coverage, follow @JeffNisiusNBA.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
