This version of the L.A. Lakers might not be a frontrunner for the NBA crown but they’ve still got one up on their neighbors. Last night’s 113-108 win not only gave the Lakers the season series over the much hyped Clippers it also reminded the world that the Lake Show still runs Lob Angeles.
You can have the highlights. We’ll stick to celebrating banners.
Blake Griffin’s hops aren’t so great he can help his team leap to the top of L.A. hoops in one single bound. In case he didn’t know bullying Pau Gasol is not a new tactic. The Celtics got away with that once and it hasn’t worked since.
The Clippers won the preseason battle for headlines in gaining Chris Paul. The Lakers are still winners on the court thanks to the clutch nature of one Kobe Bryant.
DeAndre Jordan blocks plenty of shots but that doesn’t make him a great defender. Andrew Bynum continues to abuse the Clippers even on one skate.
Simply put the Clippers are still playing back up to the real kings of L.A. hoops. That might change one day. It’s just not going to be soon so long as the battle tested core of the Lakers is kept in place. Oh yeah…and with Ramon Sessions running the show.
Since the last time these two teams met they’ve both changed their appearance. Nick Young gives the Clippers an added scoring punch off the bench. But what Sessions has done for the Lakers is comparable to what Paul did for the Clippers.
No, Sessions is no Paul. He’s not going to become an All-NBA player just by putting on purple and gold. Sessions’ line of 16 with 8 dimes and 6 boards is still not a going to be the fantasy gold of Paul’s 22 and 16. But don’t discount what Sessions does for the Lake Show. He’s opened it up, making this team an explosive offense not even Lob City can keep up with.
There is just no answer for the inside presence of Bynum combined with the perimeter mastery of Bryant. Those two went off last night scoring 67 points between them on a ridiculous 26 of 39 shooting.
Yes, Blake and DeAndre both posted double-doubles. Both had highlight moments. Both went back to their locker room as losers for the first time in 7 games.
Highlights don’t equate wins, a harsh reality the SportsCenter generation is having a hard time coming to grips with.
The reality of the playoff hierarchy in the Western Conference is also something Lob Angeles is having a hard time coming to terms on. They are now 2 ½ games behind the Lake Show and after last night do not own the tie breaker.
Another reality the Lake Show just refuses to ignore is their tendency to blow big leads. It happened again last night and chances are it’s going to keep happening. At this point in the season you are what you are. And you, Lob City, still aren’t ready for primetime. It’s still not a rivalry but it’s getting better. See you next season.