The Los Angeles Clippers have a brand new mindset defensively. With a new lead assistant for Coach Lue, how far can the defense carry LA? The summer of basketball was filled with lots of passion, emotion, and curiosity, whether it was Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown capturing their first title with the Boston Celtics. Or the speculation of where Bronny James would be drafted. Perhaps almost all the attention involved the United States competing for gold in Paris against France. But a very quiet move took place with the Clippers, bringing back an old face to the sidelines.
Back in June, the Clippers hired Jeff Van Gundy to be the head assistant for Tyronn Lue’s coaching staff. Van Gundy had spent 16 years on television as a color commentator on ESPN for NBA games. Mainly having been partners with Mike Breen and Mark Jackson, Van Gundy went back to working in the NBA. He was previously the head coach for the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. Post-television, he’d have a cup of coffee with the Boston Celtics in a front-office advisor position. Now, he is helping transform the Clippers’ defense.
Clippers Defense Improves with Help From Lead Assistant
With the help of Coach Van Gundy being back on the sidelines, the emphasis for the Clippers’ identity so far has been defense. There are signs of being more aggressive and persistent on the ball, both from the perimeter and in the paint within the team. Nicholas Batum expressed the Clippers’ mindset on the defensive side of the ball, courtesy of Hoop Job on YouTube:
Clippers Defense Amongst the NBA’s Best
As of November 5th, the Clippers rank highly across some key statistics. LA holds a defensive rating of 109, ranking seventh in the NBA. They also rank third in the league in rebounds and eighth in defensive rebounds. To top that off, the Clippers rank 12th in steals per game.
With the absence of Kawhi Leonard so far this season, the defense must be picked up from everyone else on the court. Ivica Zubac has been a tremendous force in the paint for LA. Averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds a game, the Croatian big man has made a proper impact on defense. The presence of the 7-foot center has filled a void that compliments the perimeter defense the Clippers provide.
The Clippers have had two-way star power in the past and present. The likes of Paul George, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and other former star Clippers have had defensive specialties. A group effort from the Clippers rotation this season has cemented a defensive mindset for Tyronn Lue’s squad.
Can the Clippers Keep Up?
Six games into the season so far, the Clippers defense has been one of the bright spots. However, it is a different story on the offensive side of the ball. LA have lost four of their first six games this season, with the losses being relatively close games. Putting up fights with powerhouses like the Phoenix Suns (twice), Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder, the team has the looks of keeping up with the Western Conference contenders.
As the season begins to unravel and teams start to find their identity, the hustle and toughness can determine the outcome of crucial games. The Clippers are making a statement with their defensive presence, certainly with the help of Jeff Van Gundy. How long can this team keep up with the rest of the league defensively? This question will be determined by the health and consistency of the players and coaching staff moving forward.
