The Clippers Offense

[HoopsInsider]

The Clippers won 32 games last year, better than the year before, but still lower than expected. They had the talent to win 40+ games, but they underperformed.

There are plenty of reasons why, but in my opinion, it's because of their offense. I watched at least 50 Clippers games this season, and their offense is not good enough to consistently win games. Especially on the road.

I'm sure they have set plays, but when I watch them play, all I see are screen-and-rolls. They're not good at executing plays and when a play is dead, they resort to screen-and-rolls. A two man game (Usually Griffin and Gordon) takes place while everyone else stands around and watches. No movement, no cuts, no off-ball screens, just standing aound and expecting their top players to bail them out.

I know some of the blame goes to the players, but in my opinion it all starts with the coach. The Clippers cannot execute their offense. Vinny Del Negro better work with the team this summer unless he wants to lose his job.

[TheNewEra]

Think the lack of vet help killed us. We hit the road most of the season with nothing but young players and when we had help it was only Baron Davis who played and stepped up if we can get more from our vets next season it will be a huge boost.

[jflipclip]

I hate when we use that 3-guard lineup.

[mattfish]

Just like when we had Dunleavy, the offense is too predictable. Even I can read what the play is going to be every time the Clippers set up on offense. Watching the playoffs this season shows exactly what great coaching is. The level of coordination and skill on offensive sets during the playoffs are really impressive.

[supfoo]

from what i've seen, the sets look fine/typical. i mean, basketball plays aren't very nuanced to begin with (at least in comparison to football). it usually comes down to execution (ie. making the proper reads, not turning the ball over, etc) and exploitation (ie. identifying and taking advantage of mismatches, capitalizing on the other team's mistakes, etc), which has been a problem for this team with the roster changes and the younger players having to learn on the fly. i think the players will settle in a bit more starting next season now that team has a better idea of the relative strength and weaknesses of each individual player. that means you'll probably see a lot more screen-and-rolls featuring ej and griffin again since that was one of this team's most successful plays.

still, a lot better than the dark days of dunleavy. iso to kaman every possession ftl.

[P_Dub]

The offense gets stagnant and they end up doing what they have done for as long as I have been watching them. One on one pull up jump shots. Especially in the second half when they are losing.

The Clippers need to learn how to bait the defense into doing what they want them to do. The only way to do that is to have a deceptive offensive flow.

They need to have intentions when a play breaks down, not just a 2-man game, freelance play. Guys need to know where to go and how to react

Also, the coaching staff needs to teach the big guys how to score down low. Adding a midrange game (Elton Brand, Chris Kaman) is fine, but you really need an inside threat to open up that offense. I don't know how many times I've seen Kaman make the easiest looking hook shot in the world without a chance of being blocked, only to get the ball on the next play and try to muscle it into the key, putting up a bad, double teamed shot. I don't even want to talk about DJ.

They settle for the three way to often when a post player gets double teamed.

They need a knock down perimeter shooter.

They need to plan several plays ahead. Not just the run they are running. They waste a lot of clock directing the offense sometimes, start the play before the ball handler gets up court and save.

Late game situations. These players need to be tought how to win games.

Turnovers. Too often players panic when something doesn't work and they pass by default, many of them being bad passes, they give up the easy score, and lose motivation as they slowly bring the ball up court. Control the ball, don't dwell on the mistakes, learn from them.

[TheNewEra]

Look at this a defensive center with limited offense giving the Laker fits. Love it