Luc Mbah a Moute is making his presence felt for the Los Angeles Clippers' strong 15-5 start to the season. He has carved a role for himself in the Clippers' starting lineup as their main perimeter defender. He is also shooting an efficient 50.6 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from 3-point range.
This is Mbah a Moute's second season with the Clippers and he has started all 19 games for them. He is often tasked with guarding the best wing players of opposing teams and he has delivered on a consistent basis.
He is currently averaging 23 minutes per game and he could be bound for more playing time if he can improve his offense. He's one of those players whose impact you don't see on the stat sheet but his teammates and his coach are well aware of his value to the team.
"He puts so much energy and effort in defensively," Blake Griffin said. Clippers coach Doc Rivers and teammate Jamal Crawford even went as far as coining him as the best defender in the league. "Luc right now, there's nobody in the league that's a better defensive player than Luc," Rivers said.
That's saying a lot considering reigning 2-time Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard is making a strong case for that title again this season. There are also other players who are worthy to be part of that conversation like the Warriors' Draymond Green, the Pacers' Paul George, the Hawks' Paul Millsap, and several others. Although Mbah a Moute is far from being the best wing defender right now, he has certainly made the Clippers better defensively when he's on the court.
On the offensive end, the Clippers have often positioned him in the corner. Opposing teams are aware of his shooting woes and they have often sagged off of him. His 35.5 percent from deep is his highest since joining the league in 2008. If he can consistently knock down the corner three, there will be more space for Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul to operate.