Eight Hundred and Fifty-Six: Luxurious Insider Worth 30 Million (1/5)

The start of the season for the Los Angeles Clippers is actually somewhat unsatisfactory. As the fourth in the Western Conference last season, the Clippers' current record of 7 wins and 4 losses puts them in sixth place, which is far behind the same period last season. Far.

After 11 games, the Clippers were basically good and bad. Although the offensive efficiency ranks fifth in the league, which seems respectable, the gap between it and fourth is actually very huge.

The Clippers basically made no big moves this summer, and the lineup changes were very subtle. Logically speaking, they shouldn't be playing worse than last season.

If a team does not perform as well as last season with the same lineup, there is usually one reason - there is a problem with the player's condition.

So far this season, J.J. Redick's overall shooting percentage is only 38.9%, and his three-point shooting percentage is only 28.6%.

The sharpshooter's ups and downs have greatly reduced the Clippers' efficiency from beyond the three-point line.

You know, Redick contributed a super high three-point shooting percentage of 42.7% last season. This year's sudden drop below the average level is indeed strange.

In addition to Redick, Matt Barnes's poor physical condition makes the Clippers' wings stretched thin.

Whether offensively or defensively, Matt Barnes has declined sharply this season. After all, he is 34 years old and has reached the age where he should decline.

Barnes is neither fast nor strong enough now, and his rebounds and steals per 36 minutes have dropped by more than half. In the opening game of the Clippers' game against the Thunder, Barnes allowed Perry Jones to score 32 points. The Thunder's previous highest score in the NBA was only 14 points. Barnes became a complete cash machine.

In the following games, the Clippers were continuously scored by Gay, Hayward and others. So much so that when the Clippers beat the Spurs, there was even a desperate scene: Rivers actually had to use Paul to defend Leonard in the low post!

As long as the Clippers' wings can achieve better results, how can Rivers take the initiative to create dislocations?

According to ESPN statistics, the average efficiency value of the Clippers' opponents at the third position is as high as 18.4, which is equivalent to having to face a master of at least Pierce level every night, and this is just the average.

Therefore, Dave Joger is quite confident about this game. After all, the Grizzlies' strengths are precisely the two wings, Link and Jimmy Butler.

According to Matt Barnes' previous form, it shouldn't be difficult for Butler and Link to score high points in this game.

The only problem for the Clippers is

It's Chris Paul and their $30 million inside package.

The combination of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin is currently the most expensive inside combination in the league.

The combined salaries of the two account for more than one-third of the Clippers' total salary this year.

Griffin and Jordan's inside line, one focusing on offense and the other on defense, achieved good results in the game.

What's more, Griffin's mid-range shooting efficiency has been steadily increasing every year.

In the new season, 38.3% of Griffin's shots came from the mid-range, and only 29.4% of his shots came from the basket. His two proportions last season were 29.9% and 40.7% respectively. This violent forward who was once criticized for only being able to dunk has begun to rely more and more on the mid-range.

Griffin has taken the ball out of the paint more times this season than even Bosh, who is used to "flying kites."

Griffin stretched to the mid-range, and Jordan also had space to finish the offense at the basket.

Coupled with Paul, the league's top point guard, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will not worry about not having a chance.

Therefore, if the Clippers want to win the next game, they can only rely on offense. With their 11th-ranked defense and weak wings in the league, there is definitely nothing they can do against the Grizzlies. The offensive burden on DeAndre Jordan and Griffin will be heavier than before.

Only by attacking can the situation be sustained.

Jordan also knows this and is very confident about it.

Because his opponent today is Hassan Whiteside.

Ever since Jordan stated in an interview the day before the game that he "doesn't want to be compared to Whiteside," reporters have been very interested in this topic.

So much so that when the Clippers players arrived at Memphis International Airport, Jordan's popularity among reporters even overshadowed Paul's.

"DeAndre, do you really think Whiteside is just a flash in the pan?"

"Can you give the Clippers a huge inside advantage?"

"If Link breaks through the penalty area, can you complete the defense in time?"

DeAndre Jordan instantly became the Clippers' most dazzling star. After all, he was considered the only advantage the Clippers had.

"Hassan? I can kill him anytime, anywhere." Facing the reporters' cameras, Jordan showed his white teeth and completely ignored the Grizzlies day laborer.

Jordan's confidence is not groundless. In fact, in Rivers' strategy, the Clippers really need to focus more on the inside today.

The Grizzlies are weak inside, which is something everyone knows now. Although Whiteside's appearance in the last game seemed to solve this problem, Rivers does not believe that a short-term worker with a 10-day contract can really support the Grizzlies' inside line.

The NBA season is so long, it is common for a player to have one or two outbursts occasionally.

Rivers has seen too many short-lived players like Whiteside.

Moreover, Whiteside just came to the Clippers for a trial some time ago, and that guy's performance can only be described as horrific.

People say that every player who comes out of the Grizzlies becomes better than the one before. But Rivers doesn't believe that Whiteside will become great immediately after arriving with the Grizzlies.

He is confident that the Clippers' $30 million inside combination can take advantage of the Grizzlies.

The destructive power of Jordan is not something that two unknown guys, Whiteside and Ezeli, can resist.

On the other side, Whiteside, who is preparing for the game with the Grizzlies, was very serious today.

Whiteside is a very childish person, so after being bullied by Jordan, he wanted to bully him back more than anyone else.

"Some time ago, I got the opportunity to go to the Clippers for a trial, but they rejected me after only playing one training game. I was too nervous at the time and did not show my strength at all, so I was easily defeated by DeAndre. I begged for the second I had a chance, but Rivers told me he was sorry."

Now thinking about his experience in training with the Clippers some time ago, Whiteside is still gritting his teeth.

Rivers is famous for not trusting newcomers, and there is nothing he can do about it. Unless Whiteside directly performs like a superstar, Rivers will definitely not want him.

"Okay Hassan, no matter how angry you are, you have to act according to the plan. Believe me, you have plenty of opportunities today." Link comforted Whiteside. If the guy's brain was too hot, he would be frizzy. impatient.

"Of course, of course. I listen to the coach, well, and you." After saying that, Whiteside continued to start shooting practice.

At this moment, everyone from the Clippers also came in to warm up.

Today, all members of the Clippers were serious about their words and made the atmosphere very serious as soon as they came on the court.

They also know that their performance this season is not good, so they must be very eager to win against the Grizzlies.

When Jordan saw Whiteside, his eyes were full of desire, as if he couldn't wait to start torturing him.

In an interview with reporters before the game, Rivers also expressed his trust in his luxurious inside line, "The last game was just a warm-up for the Grizzlies' riddled inside line. Today is the real test. We are ready and we are eager to continue our winning streak.”

Chris Paul was also very serious today, "In the Western Conference semifinals last season, we were swept 4-0 by the Grizzlies. That was a shame. It's time to turn the page of shame with a victory."

Although Paul has been silent recently, he actually wanted to win more than anyone else today.

People say that this season is the best time for Paul to get a foothold in the Western Conference Finals. He himself does not want to be a loser all the time.

As a player with strong self-esteem, Paul has been eager for revenge since he was swept by the Grizzlies last summer.

And now is undoubtedly the Clippers' best chance for revenge!

"How do you plan to win? Rely on the inside? How big do you think the Clippers' inside advantage is?"

Faced with this problem, Paul laughed jokingly, "It's probably as big as the difference between a 10-day short contract and 30 million."

After Paul finished speaking, he glanced at Jordan who was also eager to try.

Gasol's athletic ability is not good, and Whiteside is just a day job that has been overplayed by the media. They are unable to stop the Clippers' inside impact.

Paul believed that tonight, Memphis would be bombarded by aerial attacks directed by him.

The $30 million luxury interior is not just a decoration.