Rowan Kavner
PLAYA VISTA, Calif - As the new-look Clippers shuffled into the practice facility for Friday’s media day, the obvious acquisition of talent this summer had everyone on the roster enthusiastic about what could unfold.
For head coach Doc Rivers, however, the excitement stems from a specific trait of the acquired talent.
The Clippers didn’t just bolster their depth; they brought in a variety of multidimensional, flexible players who should be able to fit into a multitude of situations and roles. Rivers has a pool of players he can use a variety of ways, which he can begin to figure out this weekend at training camp.
“This is clearly the most talent that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Rivers said. “I don’t even think it’s close. We’re deep, multi-positional, and that was the goal going into the summer.”
Not just the summer.
Rivers added how getting more versatile pieces has been a mission since he inherited the Clippers roster in 2013, but it’s hard to do. As he put it, the Clippers finally pulled it off this summer.
As he attempts to figure out how to use those pieces, Rivers once again will enter training camp uncertain which of his players will start at small forward. But this year, it’s not for any lack of options or skill.
With the additions of Paul Pierce, Wesley Johnson, Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson, the Clippers have four players capable of starting at small forward – or playing another position entirely, if need be.
Rivers said the Clippers needed to add that dimension this summer, because injuries are inevitable and teams need to be able to adjust when they occur. Now, Rivers has that ability.
If the Clippers want to use a traditional lineup, they can do that. If they want to go small, they have that luxury as well on the starting and backup units. Rivers isn’t worried that along with the versatility and depth on the bench comes multiple players capable of and accustomed to handling the ball.
“They’ll figure it out, or we won’t be any good,” Rivers said. “We’ll figure that out. We have a lot of ball-handlers, and I think that’ll make us better than worse. If we go small, which we’re going to do at times with Paul at the 4 or Wes and Josh at the 5…who guards who? Who handles the ball? I don’t care, we’ll figure that out. That’s the group that I wanted to create.”
As media day went on, players made their way from station to station to go through their obligatory duties before arriving in groups of two or three to the podium. Each wave that went through included at least one player capable of playing multiple spots on the floor. Smith called this the deepest team he’s played for, and that seems to be a prevailing feeling throughout the roster.
“You can go on down the line and name a whole bunch of guys who have a lot of talent and can do a lot of different things for us,” said Blake Griffin. “The bench depth is going to be huge for us, but we have to put it all together.”
Be it a starter, a backup, a newcomer or a veteran, nearly every player on the roster noted the versatility of this year’s group while taking part in media day. Here’s what some of the Clippers had to say.
Josh Smith – “With the five position, I bring quickness. I’m strong enough where I can’t be able to get backed down like that. Four position, it gives me an opportunity to get the rebound and kick it and find open guys at the perimeter. The three position, maybe creating mismatches to try to get the ball down low to force double teams and kick out to open teammates.”
Chris Paul – “I’m excited about the depth of our team. We’ve got, I think, a great locker room as far as veteran leadership, guys who have been through a lot of things in our league.”
Blake Griffin – “We have so many guys who can make plays. We have guys who can shoot the basketball, guys who have experience, guys who can finish. That’ll all come together through the course of training camp and the season.”
Luc Mbah a Moute – My ability to defend multiple positions, from point guards to centers, I think having that can bring a lot to the team. The Warriors, they went small during the Finals, and that changed that whole series…It gives you that advantage to handle all kinds of situations during the game.”
Jamal Crawford – “It’ll all be about sacrifice – to sacrifice minutes, whatever it may be. The common goal has to be winning. Everybody here wants to win, more than anything else.”
J.J. Redick – “Roles change, minutes change, the important thing is just the mental approach of buying in and being a part of something bigger than yourself. We have a locker room full of guys that do that.”