More than halfway through the season, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers are two of the top squads in the NBA. Which Staples Center tenant is better?
Almost every statistic says the Los Angeles Lakers are better than the Clippers.
- The Lakers have a significant lead over the Clippers in the Western Conference standings.
- The Lakers are ranked second in Basketball-reference’s simple rating system (a rating system that ranks teams according to their point differential and strength of schedule). The Clippers come in sixth place.
- The Lakers are fourth in the league if offensive rating while the Clippers are sixth.
- The Lakers are third in the NBA in defensive rating. The Clippers are ranked sixth.
At the same time, most NBA executives believe the Clippers are the better squad.
One anonymous Eastern Conference executive recently said;
"“There’s no way the Lakers beat the Clippers in a seven-game series.”"
Another Western Conference executive believes the Clippers are the better squad because of the Lakers dependence on Rajon Rondo. He said;
"“He overdribbles. The team needs another guard who can handle but who can also play off of LeBron as a shooter. That’s not Rondo.”"
Up next, we’ll cut through the noise and look at the two flaws that could unravel the Lakers hopes of beating the Clippers in the playoffs. Then we’ll come to a decision about which team is better, the Lakers or the Clippers.