Luc Mbah a Moute Has Had a Big Impact on the Starting Unit

I actually will applaud Doc, but not for what the OP is suggesting. What I will applaud Doc for is putting and keeping Luc in the starting lineup. The Clippers don't have anyone at SF who is a "must start" type, and many were iffy about it, but with that situation, Luc was the perfect glue guy to choose out of all the options, and he's done a great job.

People might be glaring over some of the things he does, but the starting lineup with Luc has been outrebounding their opponents.

The starting lineup with Luc plays 15.7 mpg. In those minutes, the are:

+1.5 OREB

+0.9 DREB

+2.4 TREB

Since Pierce got into the starting lineup, that unit plays 14.7 mpg, they are:

-0.6 OREB

+1.9 DREB

+1.3 TREB

The starters grab 54.3% of their rebounds and 79.8% DEB with Luc, meaning they are winning the rebounding battle as a unit, fairly well. If the whole team did that, it would rank 2nd in DREB% and 1st in TREB% in the league

People always look at the rebounding result at the end of the game and if the team loses, they don't look at why and just say "oh Blake needs to rebound better", or "oh DJ grabs rebounds but isn't having impact". Even before Luc, the starters were in the 50% range when it came to rebounding with both Lance and Wes, so they weren't winning then, but they weren't losing.

The rebounding problem has been a when the bench players come in problem all season. Starters are only playing 30-33% of the game as a unit. Putting Jamal in the starting lineup kills rebounding not because it is his fault, but you're putting a player who is a poor rebounder at SG in the SF position, your rebounding won't get better. With Jamal + other 4 starters they grab 45.8% TREB.

Let's look at all the main bench units:

Austin/Crawford/Lance/Pierce/Smith 42.8% TREB

Austin/Crawford/Johnson/Pierce/Smith 35.5% TREB

Pablo/Austin/Crawford/Johnson/Aldrich 40.9% TREB

The bench units are actually beyond awful, then the other main lineup the starters use with Jamal at SF is bad too. The problem with the bench was small ball, but then Doc added Cole, but remember we shifted Austin, Jamal and Wesley to the next higher position. Austin is a mediocre rebounder at PG, but poor at SG. Jamal is a bad rebounder at SG, a beyond terrible rebounder at SF. Johnson is a mediocre rebounder at SF, but a beyond terrible rebounder at PF, so while C got an improvement, every other position got downgraded.

So we have to give him props for recognizing the value of Luc, he has a ton of non-statistical value. Man to man defense, rotations, deflections, boxing out. What the Clippers need is still more size at PF with the bench.

Great analysis Agent- I had to split it off from the other thread into its own. In addition to helping out with the rebounding, Luc has been quick enough and obviously more than long enough to slow down the opposing starting small forwards. He has made terrific impact, and definitely a great move by Doc inserting him with the starters.

BTW nice to see Luc get some $ from the Kings:

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2016/1/12/10758018/kings-and-luc-mbah-a-moute-reach-settlement-over-contract-dispute

Glad the Kings didn't get him- their loss, the Clippers gain.

Luc was personally my favorite signing. Very under the radar, but I have been watching him for a few years. A Lockdown defender is what I thought we needed, and I knew Luc brought that to the team.

I saw the same post on realgm are you og?

I really appreciate what Luc brings to the team. He's been very underrated --- all the little things he does, while not showing up on the stat sheet, has been valuable. He knows his role and quietly does his job with no complaints. He's an ultimate professional in that regard. Clippers have moved up to 9th in defensive efficiency, and Luc's insertion into the starting lineup was a really good move by Doc as it helped to establish a more defensive mindset that was missing.

Quinton Ross 2.0

Joe..love the avatar. You're good with computers. I'd like to run something by you. I noticed Cole's number is 45. Being Cole 45 sounds similar to Colt 45..the gun or beer. A lot of funny memes can be constructed, no? Just a thought

Night after night he guards the opposition's best player. His energy is infectious. He is a very smart basketball player who studies tapes and stats that predict players tendencies. He is a Doc Rivers type player.

Lucky that the Kings screwed up but Doc pounced and as the Agent stated Doc saw the benefit of LUC with the starters.

No matter how they got here this group of scrappy veterans that make up the Clipper bench is making a huge difference night after night. Smith plays 20 minitues and plays them with energy. He stayed ready and has a great attitude.

Luc with the starters creates added depth and versatility in the second unit.

I love watching Luc do his thing night after night. Role player deluxe and all around great addition to the CLIPS.

I know. Last night was thinking of making a new avatar and for some reason, first thing I thought of was Cole train. Not sure why but I did. I looked it up and sure enough, there is a meaning behind it. Urban dictionary has it as this:

1.)Noun- Augustus Cole, the baddest warfightin' machine this side of anywhere who kicks so much ass, its indescribable.

2.)Verb- go Cole Train, (to annihilate an enemy)

Some ass- "I'm gonna go beast-mode on you!"

You- "Oh yeah? I'm gonna pull a Cole Train on your punk ass"

I guess it's another term for "beast mode".

Then upon further search, it turns out he's a character from the Gears of War franchise. That was it, I took a pic from that character and superimposed his face on it. The guy is black but with a little photoshop tech, I got him to look white. lol

^Awesom avatar, Joe. Liked the background info on Cole Train too. That's some badass photoshop, lol.

And if you are into jazz, there's John Coltrane, one of the greats! (Fame is so fleeting!)

Does that mean that we 're taking Giant Steps to the WCFs. Miles would have said So What.

Nice to see people getting on board with Aldrich (the Cole Train, lol). And the same with Pablo. We've always had a backup C and PG in the wings since the season began, they just needed to play.

Unfortunately, I knew the only way they would get a real chance was by injury. Whatever it took, I'm just glad they're finally on the court. Let's hope things don't change...it would be a waste of talent.

I guess you really are too hip!

I oncea long time ago could play Giant Steps on guitar VERY SLOWLY but on guitar it's easier than a horn.

what's been most interesting to me is watching how Doc and CP3 have been working to develop Luc's offensive impact. seems clear that they believe if he can develop offensively he can be a key factor. how different than what other teams tend to do with their "defensive specialists".

Can you imagine where the Clippers would be without Luc and Cole?

Cole is an excellent backup C, last season in NY showed that. Luc has done a great job like I said, but he is an exploitable player against teams like the Warriors and Spurs, which will limit his minutes or push him out when it comes to a playoff series.