The Los Angeles Clippers recently lost four games in a row. This is most unusual for a team that went undefeated in the month of December and it is challenging for the best record in the NBA. It could be pointed out that they are without their best player and star point guard Chris Paul. But the true reason lies in the defense on the court.
The Clippers gave up way too many 3-point baskets during the skid. One of the best predictors of wins and losses comes from opponent’s 3-point conversion rate.
Over the four-game losing stretch which included opponents, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers, the Clippers gave up an average of 11.5 3-point goals per game. One of the trouble spots for the Clippers all year has been defending the three.
It has been proven statistically that the two most important factors in determining a team’s win loss percentage are its field goal conversion rate and its opponent’s three-point conversion rate. Simply stated, this means how efficiently you make baskets and how efficiently your opponent makes 3-point goals.
If the Clippers want to maintain their elite status, they need to address their 3-point defense. What has made this team really good this season is their ability to create offense from good-pressure defense. When the Clippers get in trouble is when the game slows down and they have to be efficient in the half court. This also correlates to half-court defense and defending 3-pointers.
We are at the half-point in this season and the playoff picture is looming large. This Clipper team will be judged on how they do in the playoffs. Playoff basketball is different, in that it slows down considerably and half-court offense and defense become paramount. Being successful in the playoffs means the ability to defend the three-point line.
The Clippers have all the tools to make a deep playoff run. They have the rest of the season to become more efficient in their half-court offense and in defending 3-pointers. If they can improve in these areas by just a few percentage points, then a championship season is within their grasp.
Kobe's greatness
The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have found the formula for success. First of all, one big piece to puzzle that has been solved is that all the players seem to be on the same page and giving much better effort.
But there are several other smaller pieces that play a big part.
The Lakers seem to be giving much better effort on the defensive end. Opponents are having a difficult time scoring in the paint.
The opponent’s fast break opportunities are also less, as it is difficult to run when you are pulling the ball out of the basket.
Dwight Howard is getting more touches on the offensive end, leading to more energy defensively.
But the biggest change has come from their superstar leader, Kobe Bryant. During Bryant’'s long, illustrious career he has always been able to put points on the scoreboard. He has always been one of the best scorers in the league, bailing the Lakers out of many tight situations. As Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak put it, ‘we always have a chance to win when Kobe Bryant is on the floor'.
Kobe has made biggest adjustment of anybody. He has become in essence the point guard and facilitator for the Lakers these last couple games. He has averaged about 14 assists the last couple games. Don't get me wrong, when the Lakers need a basket, he still steps up to the plate. But for most of the game, he has distributed the ball and created shots for everybody else.
Kobe attracts so much attention and has such great basketball instincts, that he creates easy opportunities for the rest of his teammates. The fact that he has given up being the league's leading scorer to become the league's leader in assists (at least for the last two games) is amazing.
During the time that he was winning championships with Shaquille O'Neill, he led the Lakers not only in scoring but in assists as well. But that was during his twenties.
He has always put winning ahead of all else but this age, he has the willingness and ability to change his game so successfully and completely.
That is the true greatness of Bryant.
Trade indicators
Want to know if your local team is going to make a trade?
Look at its salary cap position.
The teams that are below the salary cap (approximately $59 million) are prime candidates to take on extra salary this trade deadline. They almost always make trades, doing this to get future assets in return.
Conversely, look for luxury tax veteran teams (teams above $70 million) trying to get under the luxury tax or perhaps just teams whose fortunes have changed during the year.
Enter the Boston Celtics. Rajon Rondo was just diagnosed with a torn ACL. Without him, the already underachieving Celtics playoff hopes would seem to be dashed. So look for them to make a trade for a really good point guard, perhaps Toronto's Jose Calderon. Dumping some of their great players, Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce, to a contending team for salary-cap relief and future assets may also be a possibility.
