NBA Season Preview 2018-19: The Clippers are mad confusing

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a pre-season game on October 3, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 06: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers directs his team during the first half of a NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard

Starter: Avery Bradley

Depth: Lou Williams, Sindarius Thornwell, Tyrone Wallace, Jerome Robinson

Shooting guard is a peculiar position for the Clippers because the presumed starter is actually not the most important player. The Clippers insist on continuing to bring Lou Williams off the bench, even though he was a borderline All-Star and arguably their most important player last season.

Avery Bradley will most likely get the starting job on opening night, and he and Williams will presumably occupy the majority of the shooting guard minutes for this team. This is provided neither miss serious time, which isn’t a given for Bradley in recent years.

Bradley is a capable role player with a reputation throughout the league for being a dogged on-ball defender. He’s a career 36 percent 3-point shooter, but you don’t want him handling the ball too much. Luckily, Williams is there to make a few flashy dribble moves every night and serve up a hearty helping of buckets. Williams has never shown much prowess on the defensive end, but at age 31, he knows what he’s good at, and he delivers.

Second-year players Sindarius Thornwell and Tyrone Wallace could play themselves into extended minutes if either of them show something. Thornwell showed the potential for feisty defensive chops in his rookie campaign, and the Clippers clearly like Wallace since they prevented the Pelicans from poaching him away this offseason. Rookie Jerome Robinson is also in this camp, but he might end up spending more time with the Agua Caliente Clippers.