2024 Playoffs - 1st Round: Los Angeles Clippers - Dallas Mavericks- MAVS WIN 4-2!

[SleepingHero]

And they’re gonna go small ball against us? Kawhi’s knee and I don’t think so.

Listened to the Locked On Mavs podcast where Nick brought on the Locked on Clippers guy.

Still haven't finished both parts but the Locked on Clippers guy stressed that the reason why the Clippers worked so well was Zubac. He was the anchor of their defense and they don't really have the capability to play small ball anymore due to losing basically every long forward they've had the last 3 years. 

He kept emphasizing that Zubac has become a master defender and prefers to play in a drop position. His positioning allowed Harden to get back into any PnR and gave PG and Kawhi the needed rest on the defensive end. Other than that Clippers switched literally every PnR. Only Zubac stayed low in a drop formation.

My one thought listening to that is now that Luka can hit 3s at a reliable rate, how can you play a drop on him? Statistically he was the 2nd best 3pt shooter by volume in the league this year. Kyrie shot 41% on 3s too. 

The Clips guy said if Zubac can't be played that may as well be the series because he said the defense fell apart with Theis or Plumlee out there.