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“CLIPPERS-VS-LAKERS…IN SUMMERTIME”
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They won’t play each other till late October when the NBA season starts.
But they go against each other year round, eventhough in the fan’s eyes, the Lakers own the market and the Clippers have not hung any banners in any building.
That being said, you look at the rosters after these off season deals, and you see alot of age, some superstars but a different type of teams.
LAKERS…Can you win in the NBA with 3-and-a half quality players and no consistency beyond that on the roster, on the floor and off the bench?
There is the superstar in Luka Doncic, the historical greatness of LeBron James, and the emergence of a scorer-scrapper Austin Reaves.
One wonders what they are really getting in C-DeAndre Ayton, athlete, scoring talent, and lots of baggage. More has been said-written about his attitude, work ethic, immaturity, lack of intensity. The Suns and Trailblazers both dumped him, after he was the #1 pick in the draft years ago. So what does that tell you about the person rather than the player?
Rui Hachimura returns after being shopped, though you never know what you get one game to the next-we have seen that over two years. Dalton Knecht has break thru games and then disappears. Anyone want to see anything more of Jaxson Hayes? Please, end the conversation about Bronny James. Is there anyone else on this depth chart with upside?
The Lakers keep changing parts, but are still a distant 3rd-4th-5th in NBA West.
CLIPPERS..An active off season so far, and they are not done. The big issue is advancing age and injury and how much time is left on the clock for their stars.
Kawhi Leonard had a remarkable second half of the season considering the injury history on his resume. James Harden can still play but always seems a disappointment in post season and he is pushing age-37.
Ivica Zubak has emerged as a complete big man, especially on offense.
The team dealt for jumping jack offensive threat John Collins, younger and more athletic, but it cost them Norm Powell in the Miami-Utah three way deal.
The one year rental of Brook Lopez via Milwaukee free agency, gives them productivity and experience with the minutes he will get.
They still have cap space to go get another guard, whether that is a final year with legendary Chris Paul, or a rental-at a low price of Brad Beal, there will be a deal shortly to fill out the starting group.
They have youth and some experience off the bench, and the intangible might be depth on the roster too under Coach Tyronne Lue.
The Lakers have spent their money. The Clippers have space to add one more veteran.
On paper, the Lakers may have banners and two big stars. The Clippers may have more players and maybe the better coach.
It’s summer time, always time to talk Lakers, what they used to be, vs Clippers, what they are still striving to be.
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