Los Angeles Lakers lose to Clippers on “Ring Night”, 5 Lessons
By Ronald Agers
![LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: (L-R) Anthony Davis #3, LeBron James #23, and Quinn Cook #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose during the 2020 NBA championship ring ceremony before their opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: (L-R) Anthony Davis #3, LeBron James #23, and Quinn Cook #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose during the 2020 NBA championship ring ceremony before their opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4ba5f8292cd8d635f0674e08796cb6e2c557fdb96aa260cbdeae05e1b9259c66.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers need another center…soon!
Lake Show Life always possesses the most knowledgeable fans in Lakers Nation. They have no qualms about making their opinions. Sometimes the debates get passionate but sometimes, their statements are right on the money.
The prediction that the Lakers would miss Dwight Howard in the middle and the definite need for a center is right on the money. Now that the twin towers are gone, there is no fear of the opposition going at Marc Gasol.
Marc Gasol:
Opening night was not one of Gasol’s best moments on the NBA hardwood. One rebound, one assist, one turnover and FIVE FOULS in 12 minutes.
Wesley Matthews:
He was worse. One steal in 11 minutes. He was blowtorched on defense and had a game worst plus/minus of -18.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a great team with more talent than anyone in the NBA. However, this team’s defense could be the Achilles heel that needs to be addressed.
Gasol is a major problem that everyone can see. Here’s the issue that is not being seen. For the second straight game, the opposing team’s two-guard has gone nuts on the Lakers.
In the final preseason game, Devin Booker would have easily gone for 40 points if it was a regular-season game. In this game, it was Paul George exploding for 26 points in the second half.
PG (33 PTS & 5 3PM) was lights out in the Clippers’ Opening Night win! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ULADvrQ2nu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 23, 2020
He handed out business cards to all of the Lakers guards and Kyle Kuzma (15 points!) and looked quite comfortable doing it. Look this is Paul George, he’s known to “disappear” around May. The NBA world gives him the challenge to do it four times in 10 days. It’s not about George, it’s about the perimeter defense allowing explosions to happen.
The final lesson is bigger than basketball. A must-read.