Even with perhaps their best defender, Kawhi Leonardfrom the entire preseason, the Scissors still overwhelmed teams on defense.
During training camp, the Clippers made it their goal to be a tough defensive group, make it difficult for opponents to score, be gritty and solid on defense.
“We’re looking for it defensively,” James Harden said after Monday night preseason win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers had 20 steals against the Mavericks. Center Ivica Zubac led the way with four and Harden and Kevin Porter Jr. had three
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Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy was in charge of the defense and insisted on high-level play.
“We have to clean some things up,” Harden said. “We want to be perfect. We got Jeff Van Gundy, who is on us every day about being perfect defensively, because that’s like the opportunity that we have. So that’s our main focus and then, as you can see, take a little look at it [Monday night]. It generated some quick chances which we converted. So we’ll hang our hats on that.”
In four preseason games, the Clippers allowed an average of just 98 points per game. Only the Brooklyn Nets scored more than 100 points (106) against the Clippers.
Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw also credited Van Gundy for helping lead the team’s focus on defense.
“I mean, there’s always room for improvement,” Shaw said. “I think the biggest thing is that Van Gundy has empowered them to be super aggressive because they can’t make mistakes as long as they play hard. And like I said, be aggressive.”
Shaw said they have top wing defenders in Derek Jones Jr, Kris Dunn, Porter, Terance Mann and Amir Cofey.
That means the Clippers can defend all over the court and feel comfortable with any of them.
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“We have versatility in terms of guys that can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions,” Shaw said. “So that should be our strength.”
The Clippers will need to use that strength in their preseason finale Thursday against the Sacramento Kings at the Intuit Dome with Leonard unable to play due to inflammation in his right knee. It’s still unclear if Leonard will play in the Clippers’ season opener at home against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 23.
“He wasn’t part of what we did every day,” Shaw said. “I know what the company line has been that we’re going to be patient with him. So, he’s doing everything he can to rehabilitate it and strengthen that knee on his own (and) with our medical staff and we’re just dealing with the guys we have.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
