The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers have star-studded talent going into the season but make no mistake about it, Los Angeles is still a Lakers town.
No matter how many star players the Clippers bring in, the fact of the matter will always be that the Los Angeles Lakers have the championship banners, retired jersey’s, and statues. The Clippers have player banners hanging on the rafters at Staples Center. The Clippers have had a star-studded team, featuring Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, yet they did not get past the second round of the playoffs.
Now, they have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Leonard is arguably the second-best player in the league. Both George and Leonard are elite two-way players in the league. The Clippers have a great defensive team as well. However, the Lakers have two top-five players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
When the Lakers and Clippers match-up this season, the Lakers will have the advantage on the court, with support in the stands, and in the City of Los Angeles. No matter if it’s on the Clippers home-court or Lakers home-court, expect Lakers fans to be in the majority. If the Lakers and Clippers meet in the playoffs, the Lakers may have the home-court advantage every game in a seven-game series.
When the Lakers and Clippers match-up against each other this season, the Lakers will have the advantage. The best lineup for the Lakers would likely feature: LeBron James, Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins. The best lineup for the Clippers would likely feature: Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Montrezl Harrell.
The Lakers would dominate in the paint with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Even if the Clippers chose to go with Harrell and Ivica Zubac, the Lakers would still have the advantage. Mainly because Lou Williams or Patrick Beverley would be on the bench, and Cousins will be able to overpower Zubac. The Clippers will be a force this season, make no mistake about it. However, the Lakers will be better. The Lakers will reach the NBA Finals if they remain healthy.
The Lakers have sixteen championships, ten jersey’s retired, and five statues outside of Staples Center, including the late great Chick Hearn. The Clippers, as mentioned earlier, have banners of players hanging on the rafters during their home games. Los Angeles was Lakers town, it is Lakers town, and it will always be Lakers town.