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The Los Angeles Clippers are certainly not having the season that anybody was hoping for this season as they have been dealt with injuries to arguably two top 10 players in the NBA.
It has been an unfortunate season for the Clippers and one that they were definitely expecting to do better but fortunately for them, they have had some guys really step up for them and do their best to try to keep this team in a playoff spot. Despite being 23-25 on the season, the Clippers are still the ninth seed in the Western Conference and would still be in the play-in game.
Do to all of their injuries, the Clippers have really had some guys who have had to step up this season and be unsung heroes for this team. Let's take a look at the three biggest unsung heroes of this year's Clippers team.
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Clippers Unsung Heroes 2022
3. Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson has been one of those guys for the past few seasons that just keeps flying under the radar in terms of fans and the national media. He has done a great job these past two seasons and has really been just a great player to pair next to two stars like we have seen the Clippers do with him in the past. Unfortunately for the Clippers, they have not had Paul George and Kawhi Leonard healthy this season which has resulted in Reggie Jackson having to step up into a bigger role.
Usually when a player has to step up in a bigger role, they often find times that they struggle. What Reggie Jackson is doing is the opposite of struggling this season. He is currently averaging 16.9 points per game and has done everything to try to keep this Clippers team afloat in the Western Conference so that when they do return healthy, they will still have a playoff spot any chance to win an NBA title.
Reggie Jackson has proven time and time again that when the lights are shining the brightest, he can take over a game and help this Clippers team win when it matters.
If the Clippers are going to want to find any success for the remainder of the year and when their two stars return, they're going to need Reggie Jackson to continue playing high-level basketball because he is certainly going to be a major addition for them if he can continue this type of play.
2. Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris has been linked to a few trade rumors and it could make sense from the Clippers perspective but they also have to realize that when he is on the court for them this season, he has been exceptional. Marcus Morris is another guy who hasn't really ever had to play this type of role in his career but he has done a great job as he's currently averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting 36.4% from 3-point range.
Not only does Marcus Morris have the ability to score the basketball, but he can also be a good defender and he also brings a type of attitude that not many others in the NBA can replicate. Obviously, the Clippers have not found the success that they were hoping for this season, but Marcus Morris is one of the major reasons why they have been able to still have a playoff spot at the moment.
It could be questionable to decide to trade him but if they feel like he can get back a decent return and he isn't going to have the same role once their other guys come back, it could be in the best interests of this Clippers team. He should be able to get back at a decent return at the trade deadline because many teams are going to be looking for a guy like Morris who can defend at a high level and also shoot the three-point shot.
1. Ivica Zubac
Ivica Zubac is arguably one of the most underrated centers in the NBA because he can do things on both sides of the floor. He is currently averaging 9.9 points per game and 8.2 rebounds while having a top 50 PER in the NBA. He hasn't been doing anything crazy this season, but he has definitely been more than serviceable for this team on both sides of the basketball. Zubac is also averaging 1.1 blocks per game this season, which shows that he can be an elite rim protector when he needs to be.
Zubac is another guy who usually knows how to perform when the lights are shining the brightest. He's one of those guys that the Clippers are going to have to call on plenty of times come playoff time. He needs to continue this type of play for the remainder of the season if they're going to want to be the team that many know they can be when they are fully healthy.
