The Clippers are 0-2 to start the season, which isn’t ideal, but also not awful considering their schedule and circumstances. The Warriors are a good team with a terrifying superstar, and while most Clippers’ fans would predict the Clips to finish ahead of the Grizzlies, the Griz were an 8 seed last year and should be a play-in team at the least this season. The Clippers were in both games until the end, showed heart in coming back in the 4th quarter of each contest, and are still trying to get their rotations figured out. In short, it has not been a great start by any means, as each win will matter in the crowded Western Conference, but it also should not spark any panicking just yet. Keep reading for full player grades for the Clippers’ first two games of the 2021-2022 season.
Starters
Reggie Jackson: C-
This has not been a start of the season to remember for Reggie Jackson, who has had three solid quarters out of eight thus far. He was dreadful for almost the entirety of the Warriors’ game until a push in the 4th period, and was solid in the first half of the Grizzlies’ game before disappearing in the second. His 30.6% mark from the field will obviously increase, and his 35% three-point shooting on 8.5 attempts per game is good considering the volume, but the Clippers need Reggie to play a bit smarter and within the flow of the offense. He’s the Clippers’ second best individual shot creator, and they’ll need him to take some tough looks, but he could have easily taken five shots out of his first two games that were extremely ill-advised. There’s nothing to worry about, but Reggie needs to be better.
Eric Bledsoe: B
Bledsoe has been the Clippers’ second best player to start the season – and that fact is a good encapsulation of why the Clippers are 0-2. Bled looks reinvigorated on defense, to be sure, with multiple massive blocks and nifty swipes in each game, in addition to just solid positioning and man-to-man coverage. The issue with Bled lies more on offense, where I think the numbers (17 points, 4.5 assists to 1 turnover, and 48/33/67 splits) are more impressive than his play. Specifically, teams are not threatened by him shooting, whether on or off the ball, and that lack of attention has crimped the Clippers’ halfcourt offense a bit. This is especially true when Bled has the ball, as teams have repeatedly gone under screens and dared him to shoot, only for him to pass or dribble into an inefficient midrange jumper. The defense and passing has been excellent, but if the shooting doesn’t improve, there could be some issues in the halfcourt offense.
Paul George: A
I don’t need to talk about PG much. He’s simply been monstrous, averaging a ridiculous 35 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5 assists (to just 3 turnovers) per game on a bananas True Shooting of 69.1%. That efficiency won’t hold all year, but PG looks healthy, confident, and in complete control, and his contributions outside of scoring have been very helpful as well. If PG plays even close to this level all season, the Clippers will likely be in a good spot, and George will be on a First or Second All-NBA team as well as a down-ballot MVP candidate.
Marcus Morris: F
Marcus Morris has been dreadful through two games. He’s been ineffective on offense (9.5 points on 39% shooting and 27% from three) and lead-footed on defense. Even worse, considering how much small-ball center he’s played, he’s been a non-impact on the glass, collecting just one rebound across two games and 55 minutes of playing time. He didn’t play in preseason and is shaking off some knee soreness, so I’m sympathetic to him needing time to get into shape and rhythm. Unfortunately, the Clippers simply do not have the luxury for Morris to have a long ramp-up period with Serge Ibaka and especially Kawhi Leonard out. The offense will come, but the defense is a real worry, as Morris has been lit up on the perimeter and a non-force in the paint. If things don’t turn around soon, Nic Batum might press for a starting spot. But in the meantime, less punchless small-ball and more center play is a good fix.
Ivica Zubac: C+
Ivica Zubac has not been particularly effective when he’s played, nor has he been dismal. He’s finished strong inside, made a few nice passes, and rebounded well in the Grizzlies game. Considering how bad Morris has been, he probably should have played more instead of the Clipper going small. But still, the Clippers need him to be better on defense, which means less fouling and more rebounding. Not a terrible start, but not a good one either.
Bench
Luke Kennard: C
Luke has been aggressive and confident to start the season, which is a great sign. He’s also been a part of bench lineups that have been overwhelmingly positive, and his ability to space the floor is definitely a key element to their success. That said, he hasn’t been making shots at a good clip, and his defense remains a glaring weak spot, so it’s hard to give him anything beyond the bare minimum of a passing grade.
Terance Mann: B-
Terance had a phenomenal game against the Warriors, and then a decidedly less optimal performance against the Grizzlies, especially on offense. Still, it’s been a plus start, as Terance has looked more aggressive on offense (to mixed results), played above-average defense (especially in that Warriors game) and has contributed as a rebounder (eight boards in each contest) and as a passer (three assists in both games). The Clippers will need more scoring and at a higher efficiency going forward, but considering all his other efforts (and the Clippers just looking better when he’s on the court), he gets a decent grade for his first two performances.
Nicolas Batum: B+
Nic missed the Warriors’ game due to personal reasons, but was back and just as good as ever against the Grizzlies. His three-point shooting was off, sure, but he chipped in five rebounds in 23 minutes, had a couple nice assists, and was phenomenal on defense. It’s possible his conditioning is still not quite up to par yet, because really, he should have closed the game over Marcus Morris. His superior rebounding and rim protection makes him a far better fit as a small-ball center (though ideally the two play together in those situations), and he’s a better ball-mover and screen-setter as well. It was great to have Nic back, and it’s going to be difficult for Ty Lue to not overplay him with Kawhi and Serge out.
Isaiah Hartenstein: A
After not playing against the Warriors, Hartenstein checked into the Grizzlies to some loud applause and promptly had a terrific game, scoring nine consecutive points at one stretch in the second quarter. His second-half stint was decidedly quieter, but he checked all the boxes of a backup center in this one. Hard rolls to the rim? Yep. Solid rebounding (four in 16 minutes)? Sure. A few nice defensive plays and stops at the rim? Yessir. Little flashes of passing and playmaking out of dribble handoffs and from the top of the key? You got it. He won’t be this good every game, but this was a textbook performance from what the Clippers need from Hartenstein, and if he keeps playing this well, he’ll be tough to keep off the floor.
Justise Winslow: C
Winslow only played in the Clippers’ first game against the Warriors, and was about as expected – a solid defensive presence and good rebounder, but a zero on offense. He did have a couple nice cuts that resulted in baskets, but his complete lack of shooting or ability to drive and then finish limits his utility. Playing Hartenstein over him in Game 2 was a good call, and in a vacuum, I’d rather see Hartenstein out there than Winslow if it comes to one or the other.
Amir Coffey: C+
Amir also only played in Game 1, and while he missed all of his field goal attempts, he got to the line five times and made all his free throws. He also racked up a +14 in his 15 minutes, and I thought he looked solid defensively out there. Nobody’s mistaking Amir for a star, but as a depth wing on a two-way deal he did his job just fine.
Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, and Jason Preston missed the first two contests due to injury, Keon Johnson was out because of an illness, and Brandon Boston Jr. and Jay Scrubb were DNP-CDs, so none of them received grades.
Well, what did you think of the grading? Too harsh? Too soft? Any you particularly disagreed with? Let me know in the comments below.