If the Los Angeles Clippers somehow manage to eke into the Finals, defeat an Eastern Conference juggernaut and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, critics will point to their offensive execution – and not their defense – as the key to their success.
But defense wins championships. And champions rarely have defenses ranked outside of the top-10. Look no further than the last ten teams to play in the Finals – as D.J. Foster pointed out, no team ranked lower than seventh in defensive efficiency.
The Clippers currently rank 22nd in the league, giving them a puncher’s chance at defeating Oklahoma City, San Antonio or Dallas in the later rounds of the death match disguised as the Western Conference playoffs.
If you can’t get an adequate amount of defensive stops, you can’t win playoff basketball games. It’s simple, but the logic is often lost amid teams throwing lobs, knocking down barrages of 3-pointers and scoring 120 points on any given night.
The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks of the mid-2000s exemplified this concept to a tee – they’d win 55-60 games during the regular season based off brilliant offensive schemes (easily defeating other “contenders”) and then falter in the postseason because their rotations were spotty, they couldn’t secure defensive rebounds and they weren’t “tough” enough inside.
The same pitfalls appeared to be found in the Clippers (excluding the least important of the three, toughness) – until one transaction potentially changed their end-season fate:
Kenyon Martin.
While the addition of Martin has not gone unnoticed by the Clipper faithful, his impact on the defensive end has been undervalued by just about everybody else. Though it sounds illogical, he may be saving the Clippers’ season.
He’s arguably the Clippers’ best defensive player at the tender age of 34. Yes, probably better than DeAndre Jordan or Chris Paul. His strengths – defensive rotations, weak side help, playing physical and scrappy on-ball defense – have rubbed off on the Clippers and the change is noticeable.
Since his arrival, eight games in all, the Clippers have allowed over 100 points in just two games (though Cleveland came close with 99 points). They’ve allowed 86 points or fewer in half of those games. Their defensive efficiency numbers are on the rise too.
Martin’s defensive rating of 97.31 leads the Clippers, and his net rating (compares the Clippers’ defensive ratings with him on and off the court) is a -8.04, trailing only Blake Griffin’s -10.13 rating (negative ratings in this stat are actually positive – it shows your team does worse with you off the floor).
On the downside, their offense has taken a slight hit. With Billups gone, the Clippers’ first unit is no longer indestructible offensively. The obvious way to counterbalance the hit to their offense was to improve defensively, which they’ve been doing.
If they play the way they’ve been playing post-Billups (and with Martin), they’ll likely finish in the mid to late teens of the defensive efficiency rankings, which is decent. They probably wouldn’t win the West, but the conference finals is within reason.
They’ve only gone 4-4 since the arrival of Martin and the departure of Billups, but much can be put on the on-the-court turmoil that the injury caused and the adjustment the team has had to make (Randy Foye’s inability to replace Billups’ offensive output doesn’t help).
But Martin wasn’t brought in for offensive purposes.
Just take a look at his box score stats and it seems his impact is limited. In fact, his paltry PER of 6.92 suggests he shouldn’t even play. But we know better. His advanced stats show his effect. The way Griffin and Jordan are rotating, as well as the rest of the team, prove that Martin’s leadership is being put to good use.
He was once in a similar position to Griffin. He was never as talented, and never received the same amount of laudation, but he was a 6’9 athletic power forward known for his freakish athleticism, in-your-face dunks and illustrious status as the No. 1 pick.
If anyone can help Griffin get to the next level, it’s Martin. His career underachievement (compared to his draft slot) serves as a warning as to what could be if Griffin doesn’t continue to work hard and improve on his game.
And thus Martin’s impact is more than on the floor. It’s off the floor, in the locker room and in the huddle. The true test will be the second half of the season and the playoffs, when we see how much the Clippers can actually squeeze out of their roster defensively.
Clipper fans love Reggie Evans’ hustle and chant “Reggie!” during games, and deservedly so. Evans works his tail off, majorly helps out the Clippers’ second-largest weakness (rebounding) and has earned a special place in Clipper fans’ hearts (as the original “other big man” not named Brian Cook or Solomon Jones).
In reality, though, there’s another player that deserves more credit. It’s safe to say, we should be hearing more “Kenyon!” chants.
47 Responses
It’s worth noting before that sad showing in Golden State the Clippers were up to 19th in Def Rating.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 12:44 am
Trade Scenario #1:
Foye + Gomes + Cook + Bledsoe
for
Ben Gordon
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 5:28 am
Trade Scenario #2:
Foye + Gomes + Cook
for
Stephen Jackson
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 6:15 am
Trade Scenario #3:
Foye + Gomes + Cook
for
John Salmons + Tyler Honeycutt
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 6:21 am
Trade Scenario #4:
Foye + Gomes + Bledsoe
for
Ray Allen
Tim Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:08 am
Scenario #4 I like, but with one exception. Is there anyway to get Ray Allen, and not part with Foye, or Williams? Maybe Gomes, Bledsoe, and the trade exception and Travis Leslie, or Thompkins? Anything, but losing Foye or Mo Williams.
Old Skool Clip Fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:45 am
We really don’t need another shooter – especially an old one. We need a slasher, so Allen’s out. What’s the name of that kid on the Cavaliers – Eyenga? There’s an athletic guy who will slash.
Timmythetooth Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
I don’t want to be a jerk, but did you really say we don’t need another shooter? You would turn down a trade that would bring in Ray Allen? He would be an upgrade even over Billups. I don’t see this happening but Ray Allen is exactly what we would need. You can never ever have enough shooting on your team, and especially when it comes as the greatest 3pt shooter of all time.
Old Skool Clip Fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:21 pm
OK, you’re right, I wouldn’t turn down Foye, Gomes and Bledsoe for Allen. But I stand by my assertion that we don’t need another shooter, especially an old one who would be a defensive liability. We have Paul, Butler and Foye who are our shooters, along with Williams. If we had a slasher, our shooters would be more open, our big guys more free to crash the boards or be available for dishes to the hoop. A slasher would also (hopefully) be a better defender, and bigger, so we could put him on guys like Kobe, Westbrook, etc.
The McLocker Room Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:57 pm
If it was Foye + Gomes + Cook + Bledsoe
for
Ray Allen + Mickael Pietrus
I might do it…
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 6:28 am
Kmart is a beast defensively. A beast. I had forgotten how good he is on that end of the floor but he can basically guard the 2-5 spots if need be. He’s just an excellent excellent defender. No clearer evidence than DJ’s fourth quarter new home, the bench.
He is also going to make Blake a better defender by season’s end through his intensity. I’m 100000% sure everyone on the team is terrified of him and will raise their game accordingly. There was a play vs. the spurs recently where they got a second chance opportunity due to someone missing a rebound and during the whistle, the ball went out of bounds, you could hear Kmart screaming at his own team to grab the F’N rebound. And it was directly at Blake and Caron. Love it.
MP Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:36 am
Forgot to mention, excellent post JB.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 6:35 am
When two of your rotation players are Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes, and your head coach is VDN, the Clippers are lucky to still have a season…
Clips4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:46 am
I actually like Foye. He’s shown me how good of a player he can be as a backup. Gomes on the other hand…. never high on him in the first place and thought he was the worst consolation prize after we couldn’t get Lebron.
Old Skool Clip Fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:46 am
Don’t underestimate Foye. He’s valuable to our team, a character guy and he’l settle in. No worries.
Tim Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Clips4 mentioned James Anderson of the Spurs. I like that he played for OK-State Cowboys, nice Oklahoma tie to Blake. He has size at 6’6 which is what we need for the job. The guy averaged 17 per in college, and can knock down shots from beyond the arc. Only been in the league for a year, and his agent is asking for a trade. He might not provide any offense, but so what. Maybe he can move is feet and get his hands up to guard the outside. It would be great, but I can’t see the Spurs trading with us. Hopefully Olshey can come up with something for nothing, meaning, we don’t part with Williams or Foye, start Anderson, and run a 9 man rotation with Foye, Williams, Evans and Martin as the bench, and everyone else mop-up. Bledsoe is the bait. Would the Spurs make that deal?
Clips4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I haven’t seen enough of James Anderson play (because he’s been buried on the bench and he was out a majority of last season with an injury), but he provides the size and athleticism that could help the Clippers. Coming from San Antonio, he should be defensively sound enough with a few issues that can be cleaned up with experience and work in the offseason. He’s a knockdown shooter and can slash a little. I would say trade a future draft pick (second rounder and cash) with Gomes and Cook? Bledsoe?
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 9:26 am
First sentence says it all…”if the LA clippers somehow manage to eke into the finals…”
Because with this lack of defensive effort, even a first round playoff series victory is doubtful. not so confident in Lob City these days huh. David Thorpe has been all over this…
bongstradamus Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I disagree, injuries are wreaking havoc on the regular “championship” contenders. We have a very good chance of going much further than people expect in the playoffs. Youth is on our side.
Clips4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Yes, youth is on our side. But that youth is also a double-edged sword because come playoff time, without that veteran leadership we can lose close games. Also, defense wins championships. Without improving our perimeter defense, we’re not going to do well in the playoffs. Also, the Clippers have had issues forcing their style of play on other teams and that is a cause for concern. A lot of our sloppy play as of late has happened because opposing teams have been able to force their style of play on us and we get caught up in it and try to beat them at their style. That won’t get it done. Championship caliber teams impose their style of play on other teams, not the other way around.
bongstradamus Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Excellent point. I should have prefaced that with “as long as CP3 is healthy”. He’s the leadership we need.
We have been sloppy, but I think thats more a result of the schedule and getting used to new players and new rotations.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I think the best we can get in a trade if the other team is willing is gomes and bledsoe + the trade exception for jackson. Foye is still needed on this squad.
L_REAZY Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I love this trade, and sort of hinted for it on the LA Times comment section. This is the guy to get, and can be gotten! Scott Skiles does not want to play him anymore.
L_REAZY
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 12:59 pm
K-Mart can be a great asset for the Clippers, but they still need the team chemistry that has gotten them this far in the first place. Defense is key if the Clippers expect to go far in the playoffs and if they do not make this a significant point in practice/game in a few weeks it will be to late to make changes.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Stephen Jackson has a hamstring issue. He also recently stated he’d like to be a New Jersey Net, and play there with Dwight Howard, and Deron Williams. Whether or not the hamstring is an issue or not, the minutes have dwindled for him from 20 per game to DNP’s to now, a hamstring issue. Someone told me, the Clippers have 19 wins, and we’re talking title, the Lakers have 19 wins and they’re having a players only meetings to figure out whats wrong. We have to get someone else onto this roster, and move forward. I’ve ditched the everything is fine theory, there’s no more time for jelling, everyone is acclimated, we can’t keep making up for our short-comings by scoring clutch shots to sneak out wins. I hate to say it, but WE NEED A LONG WINGED DEFENDER!!! There, I said it.
Clips4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:41 pm
I’m not a fan of Stephen Jackson at this stage in his career. He’s too much of a knucklehead. He’s also a little long in the tooth and doesn’t have the athleticism (or attitude) to play solid defense. If this was GSW Stephen Jackson, I would totally be for it. Otherwise, Stephen Jackson is not the answer.
Metal Matty Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
yep, he seems to be a knucklehead of the Rodman, Artest variety. I.E. getting less interested in basketball and more interested in non-sense as his career progresses.
Tim Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:33 pm
No one wrinkles their forehead like Stephen Jackson! But the scowl won’t get it done, we need Ray-Ray Allen, and we should take a flyer on James Anderson, see if he was worthy of being on the John Wooden Watch-list. Its going to be interesting to see what Olshey does, because this team needs 1 more piece.
bongstradamus Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Jax took a terrible Bobcat squad to the playoffs. He’s won a championship. If he can respect the coach, he’s a great teammate to have. He holds other guys accountable and plays hard. Unfortunately Scott Skiles is a great coach but he’s a bit of a control freak and rubs guys the wrong way.
I like Jax, he is a little gruff, but thats because he’s all business.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Several of these scenarios regarding wing help I already like better than the J.R. Smith idea. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This team is not lacking personnel. They are still maturing and their mentality outside of Paul and Martin needs to improve if they are going to learn to play well even when ahead in ballgames.
Metal Matty Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:57 pm
clarification: I didn’t mean some of the stupid trade scenarios on this thread. I mean some of the players mentioned yesterday. a few of the Bucks guys etc.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
What Chauncey lacked in defensive ability,he made up for it with the Billups mystique. Chauncey got away with stuff that Foye can’t get away with. The charging call with Chauncey still moving his feet + Billups, is a blocking foul – Foye. The Chauncey tap on the elbow of the shooter forced air ball, rebound Clips +Billups, is a foul called on -Foye and free throws for the opposing team. Chauncey running over the defender is free throws for +Billups, and an offensive foul, turnover on -Foye. Chauncey driving to the hoop gets bumped before the shot, and 1 for +Chauncey, but -Foye on the drive, gets bumped hard, loses possession “great no call by refs” turnover, the opposing into transition. Billups was downright wreckless out there, and Foye has play perfect basketball or, the refs will call fouls on him. It is what it is, and although we all like Foye, he can not get the job done. There’s no Foye-mystique.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Then best thing about Kenyon Martin is that he plays instead of DeAndre Jordan in the 4th quarter. He should play for him even more than he does. Jordan has been playing too many minutes the last two games (26 against San Antonio and 30 against Golden State) and that’s the main reason the Clippers lost both of them.
Jordan has to be traded or his signing is a cap space eating disaster. I’ve steadfastly said since the first day that the Clippers matched Goden State’s offer that it was OK to do so as long as they then traded him for something valuable, preferably for Howard. They then had Kaman on the roster, and Kaman is a far better center than Jordan.
Things have changed. Now they have to trade Jordan for a good center (not just a draft pick or a point guard or whatever else they cuold have gotten for him before the Paul trade). Howard is available and wants to play for the Clippers, and the Clippers will be fools if they don’t get him.
Jordan does have some value simply because he is big enough to play the center position, even though he’s not capable of playing it well. Many teams are having to put small forward sized players out there as centers, and any of the teams that are doing that would benefit from Jordan’s size.
Plus there always is the lingering notion in the head of many (including some GMs) that he may actually improve someday and grow into the potential that his size and jumping ability give him. That’s a false assumption. He is not ever going to improve significantly. He’s the same basic player now as he was when he came out of high school with the great potential label on him. He’s not capable of improveing siginificantly. But still there are some who talk themselves into believing it that he will.
That’s why he has trade value, and that is why it was OK for the Clippers to match the offer. That way they can use him as a major piece in a trade for Howard.
Howard can dictate what team he goes to and force Orlando to make a trade with that team. That’s why Orlando will take Jordan as a piece in a Howard trade. They have no choice. On the plus side for them, at least they get somebody back who is big enough to play center and who can jump, and that is a fairly rare thing in the NBA today.
Metal Matty Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Sorry, gotta thumbs down this without even reading as it mentions DH.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 3:32 pm
No way on Stephen Jackson. He’s a chucker in the vein of Baron Davis, and he always has been a player who loses a lot of games for his team because he goes through long streaks where he won’t stop chucking up bricks.
Speaking of brick chucking . . .
Baron Davis finally played for the Knicks in their last game and the Knicks lost it to the horrible Nets. Same old, same old.
Metal Matty Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Ok, there’s something I can thumbs up on.
mr.sago Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Baron Davis would do us some good off the bench
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Most of these trades proposed are foolish and for crummy players/knuckleheads. Stephen Jackson sucks and even at his best is like a 40 percent shooter. Why not just try to get Baron Davis back? I kid, I kid.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Things were humming along nicely with Chauncey at the 2. Ray Allen can shoot it better, and I was watching the other night, the dude moves his feet on defense, and actually tries to stay in front of his guy, rather than the old reach around, matador defense. Ray Allen has the high basketball IQ, is 6’5, not 6’2 and has the championship pedigree, heck, Ray use to singlehandedly carry the Supersonics to the playoffs ever year. He’d be an upgrade even at his advanced age, probably the best 2 guard we’ve had since, Ron Harper, or since, ever! I know, but its nice to dream.
ClippersCentral Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Agree with everything you said, but I feel obligated to point out that the Sonics actually only made the playoffs once in Allen’s five-year tenure.
Clips4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Ray Allen doesn’t have the length or athleticism to create his own shot or get into the paint though.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Clippers just need to work on the defense a little bit and quit relying on the outside shot I would love to have baron Davis back with the squad we have now since we didn’t land Jr Smith.
Tim Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
The same Baron that just got finished missing the first 32 games of this season? How many games did he sit out last year to begin the season? NO, we need guys out of the training room, and on the court.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Can we just make a small lateral move, one of the exceptions or Gomes straight up for Terrence Williams, and call it good?
We dont need to go big to solve our wing problem. If we do go big it better be for a top 5 wing because there is no use tearing this core apart for a guy on the wrong side of 30.
Clips4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:09 pm
I agree that we don’t need to go big for a wing player, but preferably for a young guy who is not a knucklehead.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 4:46 pm
If we were going for James Anderson, we can use the trade exception picked up in the CP3 deal to absorb his contract right?
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 6:07 pm
We got lucky with our win tonight. We need an offense that provides easy baskets during crunch time. We can’t continue to settle for jump shots.
Posted on February 22nd, 2012 at 10:25 pm
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