Clippers News: Spencer Hawes Starting To Adjust To Bench Role

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has a clear, simple goal in mind for Spencer Hawes if he wants to reassume a role in the team's starting five.

"He has to play better to play more," Coach Doc Rivers said prior to the Clippers' 105-85 victory over the Spurs Saturday night, via Ben Bolch of the LA Times. "Minutes are earned, they're not just given out like cookies."

Hawes started 346 of his first 500 games heading into the 2014-15 campaign, so it's been a major adjustment period for the former Philadelphia 76ers big man.

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"When you're a starter you can count on coming in and the game kind of works itself out for you," said Hawes, who inked a four-year, $23-million contract with the Clips last summer.

"I think I have to do a better job of being more assertive coming in off the bench and trying to grab ahold of it as opposed to just kind of letting yourself ease into it."

Despite averaging just 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds heading into Saturday's contest, Hawes is confident that he'll find a groove off the bench and prove himself worthy of a starting spot again.

"It's coming, it's just a question of" when, Hawes said. "Obviously, you'd like it to happen sooner rather than later, but that doesn't mean you stop grinding away at trying to make it work out."