When a teams adds a star player, it instantly makes a team better. A coaching addition, like assistant Jeff Van Gundy joining the Los Angeles Clippers, can have a similar effect.
The Los Angeles Clippers (19-13) are in fifth place in a loaded Western Conference, and they are doing it without Kawhi Leonard, who is attempting to return from injury. Van Gundy is one of the most experienced coaches in the NBA and loves to preach on defense.
As of December 31, the Clippers are fifth in the league in points allowed per game (107.3). While the Clippers have solid defenders on their roster, the big reason is Van Gundy.
On December 30, Clippers head coach Ty Lue was on the Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis to talk about several topics. One of the biggest topics was the defensive emergence of the team caused by Jeff Van Gundy.
“If you look at our team, you start James (Harden) and Norman Powell, they’re not really defenders. But he sparks a purpose and what he has done is that most teams don’t want to leave the corner or if you’re guarding a great shooter. Our thing is if you’re close go get him.
“Most of the time you drive the ball, you know the guy in the corner, he’s going to stunt and get back, nah if you close, we’re going to get it. You don’t see people in the corners or if you go to the basket and you spin, the next guy is right there and figure out the rotation on the backside.
“He’s made us more aggressive. If you close to the ball no matter who guarding or who it is, if you close, go get it.”
“He’s generating turnovers. He’s bought a purpose; he’s bought a mindset for our team. I come in here early every day, I come at five in the morning, he’s already here. He’s passionate about what he does every day like he takes it hard. We’d win by 37 last night, Utah scored 107 points, he’s _____ off like he’s mad, he’s upset that like ‘we didn’t finish the game the right way.’
“Like we had third string in. He’s passionate about what he does. He brings that mentality like no-nonsense. When he’s on the floor, we’re going through defense, there’s no messing around. He’s locked in, so it’s been really good for us.”
Los Angeles ranks fifth in the league in scoring defense, they are also ninth in field goal percentage (45.8%) and fourth in three-point percentage allowed (34.3%). They also tie for third in the league in steals per game (9.8) with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers are a team that focuses on tight possession, effort and watching open opportunities for three-point shots.
The Clippers have a chance to be even better as the season progresses. They expect guard/forward Terance Mann back from a broken hand injury.
The Clippers expect Leonard, one of the best defensive players in the league, to return in the new year. They are likely to have Leonard ease his transition back onto the court, especially from an ACL injury.
The Clippers are not at their full strength or potential when it comes to playing on defense. That could change once Leonard and Mann return to the court. The addition of Jeff Van Gundy could be the difference-maker in how the team contends for a title.
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