Who's the Better Team in Los Angeles?

[tsirigoj]

Also the other elephant in the room is really - how good Lebron will be, at that 34/35 range guys can fall off quick.

Lebron is arguably one of the best athletes of all time, so he will still likely be a beast - but the margin between him and Kawhi could be the difference. Kawhi with his injury issues, Lebron with his age issues - might just come down to that.

The amount of resources he puts into his body and the fact that Jordan was winning championships until he was 38 (and could have probably kept going), I'm not worried.

I'm a LITTLE torn because I LOVE Kawhi, but Kawhi doesn't come near LeBron when it comes to creating your own shot (I'd actually say PG13 is better than Kawhi at that).

With that being said, I think the Clips will be good, but not as great as people think. Kawhi and PG are way too similar with their styles of play, and PG can be a chucker, at times.

[facothomas22]

Once again,it's a bad comparison. The Clippers will be a Championship team,not only next season,but many seasons to come,while the Lakers probably won't even make the playoffs.The Clippers have a better and younger star players(both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are under 30 years old,while Lebron James is 34,turning 35 years old in December),they have way better coach,way better roster Depth,way better role players, will likely have way better team chemistry.The Lakers don't have any advantage in any area over the Clippers,but have many huge disadvantages in many important areas.If people are expecting the Lakers to win 50+ games and make it atleast to the second of the playoffs, they will be highly disappointed.

[tsirigoj]

Once again,it's a bad comparison. The Clippers will be a Championship team,not only next season,but many seasons to come,while the Lakers probably won't even make the playoffs.The Clippers have a better and younger star players(both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are under 30 years old,while Lebron James is 34,turning 35 years old in December),they have way better coach,way better roster Depth,way better role players, will likely have way better team chemistry.The Lakers don't have any advantage in any area over the Clippers,but have many huge disadvantages in many important areas.If people are expecting the Lakers to win 50+ games and make it atleast to the second of the playoffs, they will be highly disappointed.

Wrong on so many levels. Are you more of a Sixer fan or Laker hater?

[JHFVF07]

If we start Rondo, Clippers, absolutely.

But if not, I like our chances on a matchup, we will likely get ALL rebounds on the game (and I will like to see Zubac/George defending Cousins/AD).

[Vae Victus]

I like the Clippers roster better, but come playoff time their front court scares me.

When the game slows down can LAC slow down a guy like Davis from just going ham on them? Even gimpy Cousins can be a load if your only answer is Zubac.

For the Lakers they really need to get another wing - Iggy is almost a must have for them or LAC will take them out. You can't have Lebron tasked with chasing George or Leonard, you need another guy who can cover them and not be a zero on offense.

Correct

The true x-factor in a LA duel, is Zubac, and whether he can develop into an good defensive paint protector.

If Zubac can develop into a player who can stymie a 80% Cousins in the paint and worry AD enough to force him into tough shots, then LAC has the edge.

Clippers frontcourt isnt the greatest and depth after Zubac is grossly undersized.

Lakers frontcourt will be utterly lethal if Boogie is back healthy

Everyone is waiting with baited breathe to see how much juice Lebron has left and whether he can bring together this grab bag of vets. Also wanting to see if Clippers lack of traditional playmaking will effect their offense.

[LakerLegend]

Lakers have the better star duo but the Clippers are a deeper team that fits better, i'll go Clip City.

Agreed, except we also have to see how LeBron does given he'll be 35.

[tsirigoj]

If we start Rondo, Clippers, absolutely.

But if not, I like our chances on a matchup, we will likely get ALL rebounds on the game (and I will like to see Zubac/George defending Cousins/AD).

I used to be a Pelicans season ticket holder.

Watching AD in person is so incredibly different than on TV. I swear when he was shooting fadeaways, the ball would be ABOVE the rim, and he would, essentially, be DROPPING it into the basket. It looked like the defenders were reaching for his chest, he just gets WAY above everyone else.

I think PG will do a BETTER job than most on AD, but I'll take AD's offense over PG's defense any day of the week. Also, conversely, it will be extremely difficult for the Clips to score in the point with AD and McGee manning it.

Memphis would be wise to hold onto Iggi. If the Lakers get their hands on him, there is going to be a padlock in the interior. No one is getting in.

[Catchall]

You lost me at Rondo.

Then I mustered the will to return, and you lost me again at Cousins.

The Lakers' starting 5 might be one of the bottom 8-10 outside shooting teams in the league next year. You can't win like that in today's game. Lebron and AD need space to operate.

Demarcus Cousins has always been a defensive liability who can't run the floor, and that was before his injury. Anyone notice that the Pels were just as good, if not better, when Cousins went out with his injury a couple years ago? Davis is more productive when he doesn't share the floor with Cousins.

[LakerLegend]

Also the other elephant in the room is really - how good Lebron will be, at that 34/35 range guys can fall off quick.

Lebron is arguably one of the best athletes of all time, so he will still likely be a beast - but the margin between him and Kawhi could be the difference. Kawhi with his injury issues, Lebron with his age issues - might just come down to that.

The amount of resources he puts into his body and the fact that Jordan was winning championships until he was 38 (and could have probably kept going), I'm not worried.

I'm a LITTLE torn because I LOVE Kawhi, but Kawhi doesn't come near LeBron when it comes to creating your own shot (I'd actually say PG13 is better than Kawhi at that).

With that being said, I think the Clips will be good, but not as great as people think. Kawhi and PG are way too similar with their styles of play, and PG can be a chucker, at times.

Jordan wasn't winning titles at 38...he was 35 in his last Finals.

[TheGOATWill]

How many minutes for PG on AD? Because AD is going throw a party on him.

[norcocredo]

Clippers until proved otherwise.

[tsirigoj]

Also the other elephant in the room is really - how good Lebron will be, at that 34/35 range guys can fall off quick.

Lebron is arguably one of the best athletes of all time, so he will still likely be a beast - but the margin between him and Kawhi could be the difference. Kawhi with his injury issues, Lebron with his age issues - might just come down to that.

The amount of resources he puts into his body and the fact that Jordan was winning championships until he was 38 (and could have probably kept going), I'm not worried.

I'm a LITTLE torn because I LOVE Kawhi, but Kawhi doesn't come near LeBron when it comes to creating your own shot (I'd actually say PG13 is better than Kawhi at that).

With that being said, I think the Clips will be good, but not as great as people think. Kawhi and PG are way too similar with their styles of play, and PG can be a chucker, at times.

Jordan wasn't winning titles at 38...he was 35 in his last Finals.

Damn, you're right. IDK why I was thinking 38.

Still, sports science is FAR more advanced nowadays than it was back in the 90s, and LeBron invests a LOT into it. I'm still feeling comfortable (maybe an angstrom less comfortable).

[TheGOATWill]

You lost me at Rondo.

Then I mustered the will to return, and you lost me again at Cousins.

The Lakers' starting 5 might be one of the bottom 8-10 outside shooting teams in the league next year. You can't win like that in today's game. Lebron and AD need space to operate.

Demarcus Cousins has always been a defensive liability who can't run the floor, and that was before his injury. Anyone notice that the Pels were just as good, if not better, when Cousins went out with his injury a couple years ago? Davis is more productive when he doesn't share the floor with Cousins.

Like the Warriors were better without Durant. Come on man, we’ve covered this.

[Forte IV]

The Clippers Depth is overstated. Just because you put Harrell and Williams on the bench and have more sub-par players in Zubac and Bev starting does not mean you have more depth. Your depth includes the strength of your starting lineup.

You would be a terrible coach. The point of depth is to give your starters rest. You shouldn't be starting all of your best offensive players just because they are the best. The Clippers offense won't miss a beat when they rest Kawhi and PG and have Lou and Trez come in. The Clippers of the past would get killed because they couldn't rely on their bench keeping them in the game. That changes now.

[LakerLegend]

The amount of resources he puts into his body and the fact that Jordan was winning championships until he was 38 (and could have probably kept going), I'm not worried.

I'm a LITTLE torn because I LOVE Kawhi, but Kawhi doesn't come near LeBron when it comes to creating your own shot (I'd actually say PG13 is better than Kawhi at that).

With that being said, I think the Clips will be good, but not as great as people think. Kawhi and PG are way too similar with their styles of play, and PG can be a chucker, at times.

Jordan wasn't winning titles at 38...he was 35 in his last Finals.

Damn, you're right. IDK why I was thinking 38.

Still, sports science is FAR more advanced nowadays than it was back in the 90s, and LeBron invests a LOT into it. I'm still feeling comfortable (maybe an angstrom less comfortable).

Do we have proof players are having better longevity? I know what LeBron "invests" into his body that can only carry you so long.

[Catchall]

You lost me at Rondo.

Then I mustered the will to return, and you lost me again at Cousins.

The Lakers' starting 5 might be one of the bottom 8-10 outside shooting teams in the league next year. You can't win like that in today's game. Lebron and AD need space to operate.

Demarcus Cousins has always been a defensive liability who can't run the floor, and that was before his injury. Anyone notice that the Pels were just as good, if not better, when Cousins went out with his injury a couple years ago? Davis is more productive when he doesn't share the floor with Cousins.

Like the Warriors were better without Durant. Come on man, we’ve covered this.

You can't compare Cousins to Durant. That's insane.

[tsirigoj]

Jordan wasn't winning titles at 38...he was 35 in his last Finals.

Damn, you're right. IDK why I was thinking 38.

Still, sports science is FAR more advanced nowadays than it was back in the 90s, and LeBron invests a LOT into it. I'm still feeling comfortable (maybe an angstrom less comfortable).

Do we have proof players are having better longevity? I know what LeBron "invests" into his body that can only carry you so long.

Much like there isn't proof that current players are more athletic or "freakish" than they were in, say, the 70s, probably not.

It would be interesting though to see if anyone has any research on this?

[macNcheese3]

Los Angeles Lakers.

[Yuri Vaultin]

KD and Kawhi's health are the x factors. Won't be much load management in the wild west.

[tsirigoj]

You lost me at Rondo.

Then I mustered the will to return, and you lost me again at Cousins.

The Lakers' starting 5 might be one of the bottom 8-10 outside shooting teams in the league next year. You can't win like that in today's game. Lebron and AD need space to operate.

Demarcus Cousins has always been a defensive liability who can't run the floor, and that was before his injury. Anyone notice that the Pels were just as good, if not better, when Cousins went out with his injury a couple years ago? Davis is more productive when he doesn't share the floor with Cousins.

Did you actually WATCH the games?

There were times (many, many times) when Cousins was CARRYING the team.

Even in the finals against the Raptors this past season, there were moments when Cousins was looking like the best player on the team (very sporadically, but it was there).

The fact is, the Clips don't have anyone that'll be able to cover Cousins. Zubac was fun to watch at times, but he STRUGGLES with those much stronger bigs.