When the Clippers first traded for Lance Stephenson in the offseason, head coach Doc Rivers was initially convinced on Stephenson’s role, which was to come off the bench. As of late another new signee, Wesley Johnson, was reported to be earning Doc’s favor as the Clippers’ starting small forward.
With the 2015-16 season starting on Wednesday for the Clippers against the Sacramento Kings, Rivers is still toying with his starting lineup. Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reports that Lance Stephenson could now in fact be the starter.
Again, I think you guys are more focused on who starts than me,” he told reporters before Monday’s practice. “To me, it’s not a big deal. It’s who finishes.”
Lance Stephenson, who started the last two preseason games, will “most likely” start Wednesday, Rivers said. However, veteran Paul Pierce worked with the starters as a small forward during Monday’s practice
Rivers understands the importance of depth, and like he said, how you finish not how you start, so production is more important to Doc than who’s in the starting lineup. With the additions of Stephenson, Paul Pierce, and Josh Smith, the Clippers are more talented and versatile in their depth than they’ve been since Doc arrived in LA. This gives Rivers more room to experiment with different looks throughout the season.
The most crucial dynamic of the season is exactly how Rivers approaches his starting lineup — it’s not how you start, but how you finish.
