it would be difficult

While last week's signing of Antoine - Jamison did not move the needle when compared with their other summer trading , in addition to marking the Los Angeles Clippers offseason pinnacle .

With training camp only a few weeks time and 14 players now under contract - the largest of the league than less - the current lineup may be a Clippers will open the season Oct. 29 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Although Jamison was impressed shedding season with the Lakers last season , his role fluctuated , he signed the Clippers is justified.

Clippers need another big man to bolster their frontcourt rotation, Jamison is arguably the most talented player available. In addition, Chris - Paul has not been an offense -minded big man besides Blake - Griffin during his tenure with the Clippers play, Jamison floor space capabilities should provide a warranty for a new offensive wrinkles.

But the meaning is not signed Jamison 's potential fit so much because it demonstrates the Clippers bench design ideas shift from last season to this season .

Last season , the Clippers main lineup - Eric - Bledsoe , Jamal - Jamal Crawford , Matt - Barnes , Lamar Odom and Turiaf - is the best defensive units one of the NBA , giving up only 89.8 points per 100 possessions - a figure which will lead to the alliance of more than six points per round , if maintained throughout the course of the season .

The team lacks offensive creativity, though , Crawford , even Albuquerque Lesotho , is the only player who can adhere to the opportunity to create their own shots . Therefore , the lineup is difficult to score an average of 100.8 per 100 possessions only point that tied the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 23rd best player in the league output.

Given the overall success of the attack Paul and Griffin 's individual talent and the starting lineup ( 112 points per 100 possessions ) , the limited impact of the attack is negated bench until the Memphis Grizzlies exposed weaknesses in the playoffs . However, the bench posted a better network ratings ( 11 points per 100 possessions ) than the first ( 8.5 points per 100 possessions ) , which shows just how dominant they are defensive .

Heading into the offseason, it is clear that the Clippers could use some offensive firepower off the bench , while the group tries to solve this problem with the bargain pickup swing . But this season's lineup after gleaning composition, its apparent transformation of the bench has , for better or worse , the formation of a completely different identity .

Gone Bledsoe ( 101 defense rating on the season ) , Lamar Odom ( 99 ) and Ronny Turiaf ( 103 ) . In their place are newcomers Darren - Collison ( 109 ) , Jamison ( 108 ) and Byron - Mullens ( 110 ) . The newly added upgrade is on the offensive , especially from beyond the arc , they offer little help rebounding and defensive end .

Therefore , the priority list to improve the Clippers on defense this season , which is a reconstruction of what the lack of obvious defense bench block mean?

So, the challenge is to build an elite defense much more difficult to coach Doc Rivers , who is already responsible for implementing his strong side of the defense system and maximizing Griffin and DeAndre - Jordan's defensive potential. Rivers will have to get creative when turning management , more importantly , the use of heavy lineup of desktop than a few minutes per game because of defects on the defensive units do not .

The strategy is in the lineup last season in sharp contrast to the formation , because the former Clippers coach Vinny - Del - Negro preferred style rotating in a row , in which the starting and bench rarely play together, the only way in half and the game at the end , he thought his best lineup on the field . Otherwise , both have at least four players from the unit usually rest ( Clippers 10 most commonly used functions or four starting lineup of eight or four bench players ) for the game on the pitch.

Most coaches do not isolate their starters and bench players Duodadeer - Negro last season , though, in his halcyon days in Boston Rivers notoriously rigorous use of rotation.

Adjusted to a short rotation should not be a problem for him, but it may be some of the players look forward to more playing time . So , the question remains whether it can push the right buttons Rivers , everyone content with their roles and minutes , and finally found a rotation that minimizes the weaknesses of some defensive players .

Who knows , maybe the bench can form a potent offensive lineup to focus on its fixed-point shooting ( Jamison , Mullens , Reggie Bullock ) , moving without the ball ( Barnes ) and shot creation ( Crawford , Collison ) , and can play together after all . With Bledsoe and Odom gone, the lack of natural tissue offensive lineup , but Collison and Crawford should be able to offset under the guidance of Rivers .

At the same time , it would be difficult for any substitute player as the main problems of the average addition Barnes classification , and can be presented .

Crawford and Jamison , in particular, has proven to be a defensive liability , and will be short- leash, if they can not stick to the river 'business philosophy . Mullens is still an unproven commodity , but it is frustrating Charlotte Bobcats did not strongly pursue him in the free agent market . Ryan - Hollins familiar Rivers system, but he has a tendency to be too radical and too many fouls . Although Collison showed flashes of defensive ability , his far it.

Although the Clippers have as much depth on paper of any other competitors , their bench defensive limitations may prevent them because they are not as effective use of the depth of last season . The Clippers were trying to express Odom and Ivan - Johnson's interest to solve this problem , but both surveys are fruitless .

This does not mean that through trade or free agent pickups in a season the Clippers can not upgrade their bench . And, of course , there is also the possibility of Collison and Mullens silence their doubts , Jamison had a rebound season , Crawford and Barnes continue because they are efficient last season , making the bench naught any concerns .

But in all likelihood , the Clippers at the expense of their defensive earnings slightly offensive identity , which is a trade-off does not usually prove to be beneficial. The bench players may still find ways to be successful , adding a different lineup combinations starters, it just will not be as a united whole.

Rivers of the biggest challenges for next season has been and will always be whether he can put the average packet defenders to a championship -level defense. After the reorganization of the bench with the apparent lack of means of defense , and his work should be a little bit more difficult next season.