Reggie Bullock Should Replace Matt Barnes In Los Angeles Clippers’ Starting Lineup
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers may be 3-1 so far this season, but things haven’t been so smooth for the championship hopefuls. Rumors have already started to surface about head coach Doc Rivers considering benching starting small forward Matt Barnes. Though it’s early in the season, the Clippers could benefit from a shakeup in the lineup.
Enter Reggie Bullock. The second-year forward made his 2014 debut on Monday night against the Utah Jazz, scoring 12 points in 18 minutes. All of Bullock’s points came on 3-point field goals, an area the Clippers have been struggling with to start the season. Bullock’s four 3-pointers matched Barnes’ total over the first four games.
Barnes, who is in his third season with the Clippers, split starting duties with Jared Dudley last year. The Clippers traded Dudley in the offseason, opening the door for Barnes to take sole possession of the starting job. However, he has looked shaky so far this year, and could lose his job if he continues to shoot poorly and play suspect defense.
Bullock has the potential thrive in the starting lineup because of his ability to hit the open shot. With Chris Paul and Blake Griffin constantly drawing double-teams, Bullock will have plenty of open opportunities from beyond the arc. Barnes has yet to capitalize on those opportunities.
Moving Barnes to the bench could also be beneficial for him. No player wants to be taken out of the starting lineup, but he has flourished in the backup role. He has made a career out of providing a boost of energy off the bench. If Barnes continues to struggle over the next few games, Rivers should give Bullock the chance to start. He might just surprise everyone and keep the starting job.
Dan Lovi is an NBA writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DannyALovi. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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