After an initial run-in, the Los Angeles Clippers have finally found their winning touch recently, not only have they played a wave of six consecutive wins, but the team's tactics have also changed completely, showing enough threat on both offensive and defensive ends. As an important member of the Clippers' rotation, Wei Shao has made a lot of contributions to this, especially when he sacrificed his starting position, which has brought the Clippers prosperity today.
When the Clippers first traded for Harden, they hoped to improve their tactics through the backcourt combination of Willow and his backcourt, after all, the two were a good pair back in their time with the Thunder and had played together with the Rockets. It's just that the status of Harden and Wei Shao has changed dramatically, and the two have different playing styles than before, so they have not been able to achieve good chemistry.
The reason why Harden and Wei Shao are not as powerful as they used to be is also because the demand for the ball is getting higher and higher. Wei Shao has always maintained his previous style of play, needing to hold the ball to launch an offense while leading his own scoring, while Harden now has a higher need for the ball, especially after playing the Clippers point guard position, Harden needs the ball to direct the tactical position, and it is because of this that the two cannot coexist.
Harden is a player that the Clippers spent a lot of effort to trade, and if he is put on the bench, it is obviously a bit wasteful, and Wei Shao took the initiative to return to the bench at this time to provide more ball protection for Harden. Willis's initiative shows the teamwork of the Clippers players, and it also accelerates Harden's integration into the game. When Harden has the ball, the Clippers players just need to run as hard as they can, and Harden's threat on the offensive end starts to increase.
Although Wei Shao returned to the bench, it will also promote his style of play. Willis is not a pure shooter, and his scoring is mainly focused on the threat to the basket after the break. After returning to the bench, Wei Shao can have more balls in his hands, and he can fully show the power of his breakthrough, and even after attracting the opponent to put the defensive focus on the inside, Wei Shao's outside shooting rate has also improved.
For the Clippers, the return of Westbrook to the bench will also help the team maintain defensive quality during rotation time. The Clippers are a team that focuses on offense and defense, and when Leonard and George are rested, they don't have very good defensive players on the bench. Although Wei Shao is always overlooked on the defensive end, he can provide a high level of defense, especially misplaced one-on-one defense, which will always make opponents very uncomfortable, and he is the Clippers' defensive wonder.
Wei Shao is now the lowest among the Clippers' Big Four, but that doesn't stop his enthusiasm for the game and his contribution to the Clippers. Compared with the other big three, Wei Shao's role is not small at all, and at some critical moments, Wei Shao is a key member of the Clippers' charge. It is precisely with Wei Shao that the Clippers have more confidence in attacking the championship.