Every NBA team needs a business card. A team needs an identity. The opponents know that when they come to town, this is why they will be difficult to deal with.
In 2023-24, the Los Angeles Clippers’ calling card was supposed to be two-way dominance. This roster is made up of players expected to thrive on both ends of the court. Somehow, their fourth-best offensive rating of 119.0 (OffRtg) exceeds their 14th-best defensive rating of 114.5 (DefRtg).
How can the Clippers improve their defense?
This list is built to defend. The Clippers have solid defensive coverage in Ivica Zubac. They have a platoon of wings that can provide guard through positions. The Clippers even have a pair of versatile combos on that end of the court in Daniel Theis and PJ Tucker.
Is this an embarrassment of riches? Not exactly. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are two such versatile wings. If you haven’t noticed, they carry a substantial offensive burden. The Clippers can’t expect Leonard and George to help James Harden carry the offense while anchoring the defense every night.
So, the Clippers have to rely on role players like Theis, Tucker and Zubac to do the dirty work. They should lean on Theis rather than Tucker when it comes to that combo big man role.
Yes, Tucker complained about his role this year. Of course, team chemistry is important. This change could create an uncomfortable locker room. If you look at the numbers, the Clippers should still make the move.
In 2023-24, Theis owns 1.0 Defensive Winning Stocks (DWS). Tucker has 0.2 DWS. No one should be shocked by Tucker’s decline – the man is 38 years old.
At 31, Theis is a spring chicken by comparison. He is also much taller than Tucker with a much longer wingspan. This makes Theis a more viable option as a small ball 5.
Daniel Theis against Giannis Antetokounmpo with his fingertips to launch a lightning counterattack led by Bones Hyland and Terance Mann! ????⚡️
(????: @LAClippers)pic.twitter.com/foR7mtU5c3
– Ball Time (@BallTimee) March 10, 2024
Certainly, these lineups produced confusing results. According to CleaningtheGlass, opponents score 120.7 points per 100 possessions when Theis is at the 5, which is in the 27th percentile. Yet they shoot with an effective field goal percentage (eFG) of 51.3%, which is in the 79th percentile.
Regardless, Theis should spend most of his minutes at the 4 alongside Zubac or Mason Plumlee. When he is at 5, it should be to counter the opposing lineup in one go. Who knows?
He could help the Clippers find their calling card.
