5 reasons LA Clippers can win 2021 NBA championship

4. Small-ball versatility

Playoff matchups can be tricky. A lineup that can contend with bigs under the basket may not be able to cope with the small-ball tactics of a first-round opponent. One unfortunate mismatch could be the difference between an early exit and a run at the title.

The Clippers have an advantage there: They’re versatile with a competitive small-ball lineup.

If 6-foot-8 Marcus Morris needs to play at center, that’s perfectly fine. Los Angeles has enough dangerous jump shooters to go small and still keep up. The Clippers are averaging 138.4 points per 100 possessions in that alignment, as Sam Quinn of CBS Sports pointed out. That’s up there with the 2015-16 Warriors.

Getting out of the Western Conference could mean taking on the Phoenix Suns. That could mean outpacing them on offense by letting it rain jump shots. LA has shown they can be comfortable making that switch and running with it.

Obviously, they won’t be able to go small against everyone, but they’ll be able to adjust to opponents as needed. Lineup flexibility is Ty Lue’s best friend as the postseason approaches, and with rangy wings like Leonard, George, Morris and Batum on the roster, not to mention Ibaka as a small-ball big, he’s got plenty to work with.