How Paul Pierce Can Help The Clippers
- Updated: August 12, 2015
The Los Angeles Clippers had a fantastic – albeit dramatic – off season.
Via free agency and trades, the Clippers were able to upgrade their roster in more ways than one and one major play made by Doc Rivers was upgrading at the small forward position.
Out: Matt Barnes.
In: Paul Pierce.
Many Clipper fans loved what Barnes brought to the team. He was tough and never backed out of a fight, even if it cost him a dollar or two.
Barnes was a great fit in the Chris Paul–Blake Griffin dominated offense by cutting his way to the basket, running the fast break and knocking down open threes. However defensively he became something of a liability with age no longer on his side.
Yes, I know, Paul Pierce is a couple of years older and doesn’t possess the agility he once had – although it was never his strong suit – however his experience and ability to knock down timely shots will do the Clippers more good than harm this coming season.
It will be interesting to see whether Rivers simply tries to fill the void Barnes left with a straight swap in the offense with Pierce or whether there will be some tweaks to get the former Celtics champion more involved. After all, Pierce is a much more prolific offensive player in comparison to Barnes although with DeAndre Jordan seemingly wanting more touches on the offense coupled with Blake Griffin, J.J Redick and Chris Paul’s ability to score, where does Pierce fit in?
Let’s take a look.
In the 2014/15 NBA season, the majority of Barnes looks came from each of the corners as well as inside the restricted area.
Source: Basketball Reference
Per Basketball Reference, Barnes took 436 3-point shots last season but only made 34.9% of them. While this number is not horrible, it’s below par when you consider over 53% of those shots were considered ‘open shots’, with the defender at least four feet away. Barnes averaged over four open attempts per game from 3-point range however only managed to knock down 35.2%, only marginally higher than his season average.
In comparison, Pierce made 41.3% of his 3-point attempts while only taking 366 shots and even though he had much fewer open attempts from long range, (including 21 of 73 games where he didn’t take a ‘wide open’ three) when the defense fell asleep, The Truth was able to knock down 43.15% of those shots.
In saying this, Barnes was able to shoot better than Pierce with a defender within 2-4 feet, with Pierce having to deal with a defender on over 13% of his attempts. Does this have something to do with the man himself or moreso with the Wizards offense?
Furthermore, while Barnes was primarily a spot up three point shooter, Pierce typically put the ball on the floor a considerable amount more than Barnes. Although Pierce did shoot over 48% from the field in catch and shoot situations with the Wizards. There’s no doubting he’ll get plenty more of those opportunities with Chris Paul at the helm.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pierce has typically done a lot of his damage from above the break. While most three-point shooters will tell you they enjoy the corner shot (because it’s shorter), Pierce has sunk the heart of many opposing fans with the longer shot. Last season, Pierce shot 38% from there and while this stat isn’t that important, it’ll be interesting to see how the Clippers use him with Redick.
Redick and Barnes operated well in large part due to Redick’s movement off the ball and Barnes’ ability to cut to the rim. Redick took 324 above the break three-point attempts last season. Pierce took 244. Both are large amounts for wing players, although Redick hit 43.2% of attempts so no one was going to slow him down. Meanwhile Barnes took the fewest of the lot with just 195, although there was one shot in particular that Clippers fans might recall.
It’s hard to see Pierce taking as many above the break shots this season however as his shot chart shows, he doesn’t mind taking a few mid range shots either, which can only end well with Redick, Paul and Griffin already shooting a bunch of shots from there already (sarcasm, if you didn’t get it).
Source: Basketball Reference
Pierce shot 42% from mid range last season however as you can see, a large percentage of those came from the middle of the court. As you’ll recall, Chris Paul doesn’t mind that right elbow and Blake Griffin is rather fond of that area too. Spacing could be an issue early on for the Clippers if Pierce is determined to continue on his way, although this could force Griffin down on the low block some more and that certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing. On that note, you can expect Griffin’s passing game to become even stronger next season given the added efficiency Pierce brings on the perimeter.
Picture this: Chris Paul dribbling the ball up court, Jordan and Griffin come for a double drag screen. In that very moment, Paul can quite literally do whatever he likes. Pull up 3. Pull up jumper. Drive and kick to Redick or Pierce. Lob to Griffin or Jordan.
The opportunities are endless.
The Los Angeles Clippers averaged 106.7 points per game last season with Barnes in such form and the Clippers have since added Pierce along revamped their bench as well.
Can the Clippers offense become even more potent next season?
Once thing is for sure. As long as Pierce’s shooting is slightly better than his baseball ability, they’ll be in good stead.
Pierce will be 38 by the time the beginning of next season rolls around, and for all his prowess on the offensive side of the ball, that’s not where the Clippers lack at the small forward position.
When the Clippers lose, it’s because of their defense. Whether it be their failure to rebound the ball or simple errors in communication at the wrong time, it’s the one area of their game that must considerably improve for them to take the next step.
Paul Pierce had a defensive rating of 98.6 last season, slightly better than Barnes 102.1
Barnes’ defense has progressively gotten worse since being on the Clippers and if Pierce can replicate his numbers from last season, it’ll be hard to argue against that the Clippers starting five could be the best in the league.
Pierce was able to hold opponents to under 41% field goal percentage last year, and while his perimeter defense was marginally better than Barnes, it was inside 10 feet where the Clippers have gained a considerable upgrade.
Pierce held his man to just 50.2% inside 10 feet last season and 57% inside six feet and while that latter number isn’t too glamorous, it’s superior to Barnes’ 56.5% and 63.1% in the same area.
Not too bad for an old man.
Even though Barnes was physically active and constantly pestering his opponents – one area which he might have over Pierce – Pierce’s experience and basketball smarts will ensure he remains efficient enough to do the job that Doc Rivers requires.
Let’s hope Paul Pierce can call game once or twice this season.
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