All We Want for Christmas for the Clippers
- Updated: December 25, 2015
Christmas is coming and Clippers fans can request three things from Santa Claus to make the team better, what do you ask for? This should have been an easy question but with the interesting direction the Clippers season has taken, 3 things might not be enough. But let’s limit it to the three most important things for the team anyway just for fun.
First, a 2-way Small Forward. The Clippers haven’t had a legitimate Small Forward since Corey Maggette walked out the door in 2008. Failure, after failure at the position has become common place. From Matt Barnes to Jared Dudley to this year’s crop of Small Forward candidates that seem destined to be the team’s weak spot yet again, no one seems to work at the spot for Los Angeles. Imagine a Small Forward that fits the Doc Rivers mold of three-point shooting and defensive ability on the other end of the floor, commonly known as a “3 and D” wing player. There have been many options for the Clippers throughout the years and all seem to either be skipped over in the draft or ignored by a Clippers coaching staff that seemingly doesn’t even acknowledge the gap at the position.
To fill this void at the position, I request Santa gives the Clippers Robert Covington. Not the splashiest name out there from the Philadelphia 76ers but his play and young age (25) would be perfect for a Clippers team that could use his ability to space the floor offensively and get his 2.1 steals per game he averages in Philly on defense.
Second, a consistent bench. Does more really need to be said? The bench play from the Clippers has been so inconsistent this season that on a game to game basis this group could either win or lose the game entirely based on their play. Guys like Josh Smith, Lance Stephenson, Paul Pierce and Jamal Crawford by themselves would be considered extremely unreliable as far as consistency goes, they’re all on one bench. Austin Rivers has shown great improvement but as far as having him be the key that holds this bench of veterans together, you’d be better off having Dennis Rodman style your hair.
To improve the consistency of this I request Mr. Kringle give the Clippers a General Manager. Nothing against Doc, I actually love the guy as a coach and have taken his side multiple times when people say he should be replaced as GM. I’ve changed my mind. Him picking players that were good when his Celtics team won the title 2008 isn’t quite working anymore. A fresh pair of eyes on this roster might be exactly what the doctor ordered for this bench and let’s not forget, he won the title as a coach, not a GM.
Finally, these Clippers could use an aggressive Chris Paul. No doubt, this is when Paul and the Clippers are at their best. When Paul is dropping double-digit dimes and putting in 20 points or more the team plays significantly better and more confident on both ends of the floor. Blake Griffin is able to move the ball around the floor more and JJ Redick is able to get more open from beyond the arc to knock in his signature three ball.
What would make Paul have to be more aggressive on offense, stick with me here Clipper fans, a Blake Griffin SHORT TERM injury. Yes Griffin is my favorite player on this team. No I do not want him missing extended time because he is crucial to the success of this team. But if Griffin ended up having to miss three to five games, we might see Paul release his most aggressive style ever. In the long run, this could help Los Angeles much like the injury to Paul helped Blake Griffin two seasons ago.
So there is the list I’m sending off to Santa Claus Clipper fans, what’s on yours? Tweet your three to myself at @caylward23 or the site at @CaliSportsnews
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Clippers and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, All the time!
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