The Athletic: NBA execs around the league expect the gap between Clippers and Lakers to be significant

[Not Suave Rico]

Also have only one average level passer for their position on the team, PG. They are a poor passing team at this point. I have a feeling they are going to be a heavy ISO team which becomes a lot easier to stop in the playoffs. They need a more traditional point guard that can be a playmaker for others and also hit a jumper.

The Clippers didn't have a traditional point guard last year either and somehow put up the 4th highest rated offense post trade-deadline. Doc's offensive schemes don't require a traditional ball dominate PG. Instead the team has a lot of secondary ballhandler types and uses a lot of picks to get people open.

As for scoring in ISO in the playoffs.

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[seorang]

Honestly Kawhi probably could, he shuts down everybody no matter the position

Also who on the Lakers guards PG? Kentavious Caldwell-brick?

The only person that shuts down AD is Embiid, you're not stopping him with a 6'7 wing, he can actually shoot unlike Giannis.

Kawhi's wingspan is 7'4. Embiid's is 7'6. Closer than you think

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It's more about standing reach than Wingspan when it comes to Big defense.

[AussieBuck]

Unless Leonard is bringing Gasol over to the clippers with him to constantly double team help he's not going to be able to check AD just like he couldn't guard Giannis anywhere near the basket without a double. He's strictly a perimeter defender.

[Official]

Are Clippers fans trying to argue that a guy that got locked up by Joe Ingles is a better playoff performer than AD?

Holy hell

Every Clipper fan would trade PG for AD regardless of age - tells you all you need to know.

"Regardless of age" is silly when much of his value over PG IS the fact that he's still only barely turned 26 recently. You will get more years out of him as a superstar. That being said, wings tend to win championships in recent years and I can't recall the last time a team won a title with a superstar big as it's main guy. Jokic dominated last year, but Embiid for example has had playoff struggles. AD has been really good, but only in small samples and defensively has been inconsistent. PG was better than AD last year when you look at both ends, that's all you need to know. Both guys are in their peak, so let's see what happens. In general, I'd say PG is most likely to be the worst of the 4, but it's closer than you think with AD at this moment.

AD is more likely to be better than Kawhi next year than PG being on ADs level. Don't forget AD is a franchise player. Nobody would pick PG to build their franchise around at any point in his career.

[KingFox]

How do NBA execs get these jobs?

The fit on the Lakers is better than the Clippers but the Clippers have more talent from 1 to 8. The Lakers defense will be better, the Clippers offense will be better. I would say Clippers are slight favorites because they are younger.

The lakers defense will be better?! Lmao

[iamworthy]

Unless Leonard is bringing Gasol over to the clippers with him to constantly double team help he's not going to be able to check AD just like he couldn't guard Giannis anywhere near the basket without a double. He's strictly a perimeter defender.

They have Zupac, and apparently Zupac is a defensive player of the year candidate.

[gpoon]

Full god mode? Who on the Clippers is going to check AD, he's averaging 27ppg in the playoffs and almost 30 with Draymond guarding him in 2 series.

Honestly Kawhi probably could, he shuts down everybody no matter the position

Also who on the Lakers guards PG? Kentavious Caldwell-brick?

The only person that shuts down AD is Embiid, you're not stopping him with a 6'7 wing, he can actually shoot unlike Giannis.

i bet Gasol can do it

[robbie84]

I don't think Paul George is a good fit next to Kawahi.
Kawahi is so ball dominant.
PG is going to have to shoot a lot of threes, and shoot them very well.

Lakers with Davis and LeBron is way ahead for me, and I really hate the Lakers as a rival.
Not sure how teams are supposed to guard LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a 7 game series.

[robbie84]

almost 30 with Draymond guarding him in 2 series.

2015: Warriors swept the Pelicans

2018: Warriors beat the Pelicans 4-1.

Yeah AD sure put up a fight in both of those series

Would be been a different story with LeBron on his team.

[TerryTate]

The one thing I've learned from this thread is the LA Fans have petty arguments.

Both LA teams lack real depth..... but I strongly think the Lakers have better depth and experience.

Anyone who think PG isn't a Playoff performer, he almost knocked Toronto out a few years back singlehandedly. So I don't know where this he doesn't come out in the playoff narative is coming from. Sometimes the opposing team's talent is just far superior, much like the AD arguments of getting swept by GS. People are comparing a 7th or 8th seed to a top West team and blame AD.

Secondary thoughts.
AD is made out of glass. I mean if he plays > 70 games you should be happy. He's never had a deep playoff run, so that being said can his body take it? LBJ is old af now. I'm still pretty sure that he can do 25/7/7, but Lakers winning depends on more than LBJ going into
"God" mode. They're going to need Kuzma to take the next step and be more than just a scorer. But IMO, they are going to need to gel as a team.

Clipper fans think that PG and Kawhi are going to make them instant winners. Both are probably going to be playing 60 games each. PG is out for maybe a month or 2. Kawhi is likely going to be doing some form of load management. So you're playing at least 25% of the season without their 2 stars. Let's not hope no one else gets injured, or we'll be hearing about asterisks.

[zimpy27]

How do NBA execs get these jobs?

The fit on the Lakers is better than the Clippers but the Clippers have more talent from 1 to 8. The Lakers defense will be better, the Clippers offense will be better. I would say Clippers are slight favorites because they are younger.

did you get the names around the wrong way or serious? How is a team with P.Bev/Kawhi/PG worse defensively than the Lakers?

Because they are perimeter defenders and interior defense is still much more important. Lakers have AD and Howard, that interior defense will be solid, the perimeter defenders on the Lakers can play the perimeter tough, if they gamble for steals and lose then they have the backup to clean up the error.

Lakers may be top 3 in defense, I don't expect clippers to be top 10, at least not in the regular season anyway.

[zimpy27]

How do NBA execs get these jobs?

The fit on the Lakers is better than the Clippers but the Clippers have more talent from 1 to 8. The Lakers defense will be better, the Clippers offense will be better. I would say Clippers are slight favorites because they are younger.

The lakers defense will be better?! Lmao

Look at the numbers.

I'm sure even Clipsfan will admit this.

Clippers will be amazing offensively but people are overrating their defense majorly.

[OkcSinceSGA]

The one thing I've learned from this thread is the LA Fans have petty arguments.

Both LA teams lack real depth..... but I strongly think the Lakers have better depth and experience.

Anyone who think PG isn't a Playoff performer, he almost knocked Toronto out a few years back singlehandedly. So I don't know where this he doesn't come out in the playoff narative is coming from. Sometimes the opposing team's talent is just far superior, much like the AD arguments of getting swept by GS. People are comparing a 7th or 8th seed to a top West team and blame AD.

Secondary thoughts.
AD is made out of glass. I mean if he plays > 70 games you should be happy. He's never had a deep playoff run, so that being said can his body take it? LBJ is old af now. I'm still pretty sure that he can do 25/7/7, but Lakers winning depends on more than LBJ going into
"God" mode. They're going to need Kuzma to take the next step and be more than just a scorer. But IMO, they are going to need to gel as a team.

Clipper fans think that PG and Kawhi are going to make them instant winners. Both are probably going to be playing 60 games each. PG is out for maybe a month or 2. Kawhi is likely going to be doing some form of load management. So you're playing at least 25% of the season without their 2 stars. Let's not hope no one else gets injured, or we'll be hearing about asterisks.

Holy misinformation.

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[OkcSinceSGA]

How do NBA execs get these jobs?

The fit on the Lakers is better than the Clippers but the Clippers have more talent from 1 to 8. The Lakers defense will be better, the Clippers offense will be better. I would say Clippers are slight favorites because they are younger.

The lakers defense will be better?! Lmao

Look at the numbers.

I'm sure even Clipsfan will admit this.

Clippers will be amazing offensively but people are.overratingntheir defense majorly.

Yea, we agree here. They won't be bad on D but their offense will be the stronger suit and people are overrating their D like it's the classic Bulls or Pistons. I predict #1 offense and maybe 10th best D or so.

[hoosierdaddy34]

Also have only one average level passer for their position on the team, PG. They are a poor passing team at this point. I have a feeling they are going to be a heavy ISO team which becomes a lot easier to stop in the playoffs. They need a more traditional point guard that can be a playmaker for others and also hit a jumper.

The Clippers didn't have a traditional point guard last year either and somehow put up the 4th highest rated offense post trade-deadline. Doc's offensive schemes don't require a traditional ball dominate PG. Instead the team has a lot of secondary ballhandler types and uses a lot of picks to get people open.

As for scoring in ISO in the playoffs.

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Sure Kawhi was great last year, but playing 90s and early 2000s ISO ball is going to fail more than succeed against elite teams. And let’s not forget GS was down 2 All-stars, which is the only reason those games were close enough for those plays to even matter. People forget that the 76ers were a lucky bounce away from beating the Raptors. If Clippers fans are truly thinking that Kawhi is this unstoppable force ala prime Jordan...he’s great but let’s keep the expectations in check. A lot of things had to break the Raptors way last year too.

[Pelly24]

The Lakers are going to beat the Clippers 'cause PG will let the Clips down and isn't quite as good as people think.

[TerryTate]

The one thing I've learned from this thread is the LA Fans have petty arguments.

Both LA teams lack real depth..... but I strongly think the Lakers have better depth and experience.

Anyone who think PG isn't a Playoff performer, he almost knocked Toronto out a few years back singlehandedly. So I don't know where this he doesn't come out in the playoff narative is coming from. Sometimes the opposing team's talent is just far superior, much like the AD arguments of getting swept by GS. People are comparing a 7th or 8th seed to a top West team and blame AD.

Secondary thoughts.
AD is made out of glass. I mean if he plays > 70 games you should be happy. He's never had a deep playoff run, so that being said can his body take it? LBJ is old af now. I'm still pretty sure that he can do 25/7/7, but Lakers winning depends on more than LBJ going into
"God" mode. They're going to need Kuzma to take the next step and be more than just a scorer. But IMO, they are going to need to gel as a team.

Clipper fans think that PG and Kawhi are going to make them instant winners. Both are probably going to be playing 60 games each. PG is out for maybe a month or 2. Kawhi is likely going to be doing some form of load management. So you're playing at least 25% of the season without their 2 stars. Let's not hope no one else gets injured, or we'll be hearing about asterisks.

Holy misinformation.

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What is misinformation? Really, I'd like to know... PG injury?!?
There are reports that say up to a few games at the beginning of the season and some that say late November. Anyways, why would they rush him back after dropping so much to get him? Honestly, that would be kinda of stupid.

[zimpy27]

The lakers defense will be better?! Lmao

Look at the numbers.

I'm sure even Clipsfan will admit this.

Clippers will be amazing offensively but people are.overratingntheir defense majorly.

Yea, we agree here. They won't be bad on D but their offense will be the stronger suit and people are overrating their D like it's the classic Bulls or Pistons. I predict #1 offense and maybe 10th best D or so.

It's almost like people are elevating expectation for the purpose of making claims like "they're underperforming" when the season starts.

[Greyhound]

How do NBA execs get these jobs?

The fit on the Lakers is better than the Clippers but the Clippers have more talent from 1 to 8. The Lakers defense will be better, the Clippers offense will be better. I would say Clippers are slight favorites because they are younger.

did you get the names around the wrong way or serious? How is a team with P.Bev/Kawhi/PG worse defensively than the Lakers?

I´m also thinking about this for 10 minutes now. No way anyone thinks that Defense of all things, will be a plus for the Lakers against the Clippers.

The Clippers have better individual defenders on the perimeter (and the wing), but it would not surprise me if the Lakers were just as good (or better) as an overall defensive team.

People talk about the Lakers lack of perimeter defenders, but that is overblown. Bradley can be a very good perimeter defender, KCP can be tough, Green is consistent on that end and both Rondo and James have their moments (at this stage of their careers). That is ok, but what will make them strong defensively will be their back line shot blocking and defensive rebounding. Howard is capable of controlling the defensive glass and banging with the big boys. That will free up Davis to hunt weak side shot blocks and perform at his disruptive best. McGee will protect the rim as well.

Their size, shot blocking and rebounding will allow their perimeter players to perform above their heads on that end.

Furthermore, the type of defensive schemes Vogel ran in Indiana are exactly the type that will maximize the defensive potential of that Lakers roster (as currently constructed).

People are sleeping on the defensive potential of that roster (big time).

[OkcSinceSGA]

The one thing I've learned from this thread is the LA Fans have petty arguments.

Both LA teams lack real depth..... but I strongly think the Lakers have better depth and experience.

Anyone who think PG isn't a Playoff performer, he almost knocked Toronto out a few years back singlehandedly. So I don't know where this he doesn't come out in the playoff narative is coming from. Sometimes the opposing team's talent is just far superior, much like the AD arguments of getting swept by GS. People are comparing a 7th or 8th seed to a top West team and blame AD.

Secondary thoughts.
AD is made out of glass. I mean if he plays > 70 games you should be happy. He's never had a deep playoff run, so that being said can his body take it? LBJ is old af now. I'm still pretty sure that he can do 25/7/7, but Lakers winning depends on more than LBJ going into
"God" mode. They're going to need Kuzma to take the next step and be more than just a scorer. But IMO, they are going to need to gel as a team.

Clipper fans think that PG and Kawhi are going to make them instant winners. Both are probably going to be playing 60 games each. PG is out for maybe a month or 2. Kawhi is likely going to be doing some form of load management. So you're playing at least 25% of the season without their 2 stars. Let's not hope no one else gets injured, or we'll be hearing about asterisks.

Holy misinformation.

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What is misinformation? Really, I'd like to know... PG injury?!?
There are reports that say up to a few games at the beginning of the season and some that say late November. Anyways, why would they rush him back after dropping so much to get him? Honestly, that would be kinda of stupid.

You're dead wrong about everything Clippers related. For one Kawhi isn't on load management. Kawhi, Doc, Frank have already openly said this. He will play every game he's healthy. All parties have said Kawhi was on such strict load management last year because he went into the season injured and hadn't played the year before. There are no plans to rest him. Doc said health is priority, but he's not going to just sit him due to "load management". Clippers beat writers are saying the coaches expect Kawhi to play 70+ potentially.

Then secondly PG was NEVER facing 1-2 months out. That was a random Bill Simmons myth that the rest of media ran with. His timeline for grade 2 rotator cuff tear was always 5-6 months. That's Oct 7th-Nov 7th. Missing no games to missing maybe 5-6 games. He's already shoulder pressing 50s in each hand and on the court doing everything with the team besides contact scrimmaging. Not sure on what planet you come up with 1-2 months missed. Honestly with how far ahead PG looks right now I would not be surprised if he goes through training camp, sits most of preseason but is ready for the opener.