National Basketball Association

LA Clippers impressed with Diamond Stone's three-point shot

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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LA Clippers rookie center Diamond Stone has been impressing Doc Rivers and his teammates at training camp with his three-point shot.

The LA Clippers may not have an instant contributor in 19-year-old rookie center Diamond Stone, but they do have a talented, long (6’11” with a 7’3″ wingspan) big man with potential. Many expected him to go at the end of the first round in this year’s NBA draft, yet after slipping to 40th and being taken by the Clippers, it sounds like the team has an intriguing prospect to develop.

Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reported a comment from head coach Doc Rivers at training camp, saying that Stone has been the more impressive shooter, especially from three, than fellow rookie and first-round pick Brice Johnson:

“Diamond can really shoot the ball. He was on the post in college, but when you watch him shoot, he wins more of the shooting drills. He can shoot the ball. They both have the chance. … I think Diamond shoots it better from the 3 than Brice does.”

With Johnson’s smooth mid-range game (he did attempt no threes in four years at North Carolina), it’s somewhat surprising to hear that he hasn’t been the more successful rookie when transitioning beyond the arc.

Woike later added that members of the team, such as scoring Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, have also mentioned Stone’s three-point shot.

This continues to be something I wasn’t anticipating to hear in camp. At least, not to the extent that Stone’s shooting from deep would be praised.

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In his one season at Maryland, Stone never attempted a three, instead making his mark offensively with his skill and strength in the post. He knows how to move his feet and finish softly near the basket when he’s working on the low block, but much range on his jumper was never too apparent.

Now, it seems, both over the summer and in camp, Stone has been training hard to change this. That’s nothing but encouraging for the Clippers that Stone is making these improvements already. Even though it’ll obviously be very different when he’s thrown into an NBA game.

He’s raw at both ends of the floor, he needs to develop physically (as anyone of his age would) and he’ll benefit from time in the D-League and time to progress before he cracks the LA Clippers’ rotation.

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Nevertheless, to hear that the 19-year-old is making improvements to his game and impressing Doc and his teammates so soon should give Clippers fans hope that he can eventually emerge as a notable contributor.

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