Los Angeles Lakers: Most important role player vs. Clippers and Bucks

The most important role player vs. the Los Angeles Clippers: Danny Green

Despite the ongoing rivalry in Los Angeles as this is the first time ever that both LA teams are title contenders, you have to admit that the Clippers are a great basketball team. They are still the little brothers of LA but it is not going to be a cakewalk in the slightest for the Lakers.

The team is good defensively, has good depth and can be tough to stop on the defense. What makes the Clippers unique is that their two best offensive players are wings, which makes things tougher for the Lakers.

The Lakers are an elite defensive team but coming up against two elite wings is the one area that could be a cause for concern. The reason being is that it becomes harder to utilize Anthony Davis’ defensive presence outside of being someone near the rim.

And as we have seen, both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can score in bunches from the outside. They do not need to drive and get Davis involved.

That is what makes Danny Green so important in this series as when he is on the court he is going to be guarding either Kawhi or George at all times. His defense in isolation, as well as the switches he is going to be forced to make on defense, are going to set the tone for the rest of the team defensively.

LeBron James is going to have to step it up on the defensive end and we know he can as we have seen it in action this season. However, at the end of the day, Green’s level of defense is going to go a long way in deciding this series.