Los Angeles Clippers' Defense Is Their Downfall

The Los Angeles Clippers are locked and loaded in all areas — except defense. The team has developed greatly in the last three seasons. The Clippers have started to play together seamlessly, highlighting the best attributes of each player and proving their status as an elite team in the league season after season.

Although the Clippers are breaking and making franchise records as each season comes, they still have plenty of work to do on the defensive end.

The Clippers’ defense revolves around DeAndre Jordan, and though he has made a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year, he can’t play all 48 minutes. Because of this the Clippers are still missing big pieces for their defensive efforts.

To back up Jordan, the Clippers spent their offseason getting a good pickup in Spencer Hawes. Though Hawes is a big man who can shoot free throws and 3-pointers efficiently, he comes up short on the defensive end compared to Jordan, who averages nearly eight rebounds per game for his career while Hawes averages just above six rebounds per game.

Behind Hawes is Glen Davis, who has had a steady decline in efficiency each year. Davis averages almost five rebounds per game and nearly zero blocks.

None of the forwards on the Clippers are getting it done defensively either. Blake Griffin has expanded his game to shoot outside the paint, which is resulting in him missing crucial rebounds and easy points. Behind Griffin are Hedo Turkoglu and Ekpe Udoh, who has only played in one game so far this season. Turkoglu has only averaged two points and one rebound per game so far.

The Clippers have improved in many areas, but their defense has been the factor in every loss so far this season. Regardless of whether or not people agree, defense wins games. If the defense isn’t there, the opposing team will run away with a win in their hand, and the Clippers have watched opposing teams run away with a win three times so far this season. If the Clippers don’t work on their defensive efforts, they will watch more games slip through their fingers.

Terri Washington is a Los Angeles Clippers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @Terri7589, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.