There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the road to the NBA title runs through Los Angeles. Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers are the defending world champions. Their cross-town rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, have the same record as the Lakers at 16-6.
Even though the Utah Jazz are in first place at 16-5, when it comes down to the bare bones, the Lakers and the Clippers are the best in the west and of course, the NBA.
The East is a very talented conference but the real meat of talented teams stands in the west. Yes, I know the Lakers lost to the 76ers on this recent road trip. Look, there is no doubt that Philly is good but how good are they really? We saw them choke in the playoffs last year with a very similar and powerful team.
Besides the Lakers, Clippers, and Jazz, there are the Nuggets, Suns, Warriors, and Trail Blazers. All very talented teams that are capable of being tough opponents. What it all will come down too, however, will be The Battle of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers, the battle of Los Angeles:
They only played each other once in this different NBA season. It was opening night and the Clippers got the better of the Lakers. They do not face each other again in the regular season, but I have a feeling that they will meet down the road. It is what many have wanted to see. Much like a title fight between two dominant heavyweight boxers.
Both teams have two of the deepest rosters in all of the NBA. Reminds me of a showdown between powerful groups of superheroes. The Clippers have their Superman and Batman in Kawahi Leonard and Paul George.
Patrick Beverly, a defensive specialist and all-around cerebral player, is the brainy one in the group. (Every group has one.) Then there is the muscle, and that belongs to Serge Ibaka. Of course, no group would be complete without a fearless scrapper, and who better than Marcus Morris to fit that role? Last but not least is the gold ole, wise and deadly veteran, and Lou Williams has that covered.
The Lakers match them very well. LeBron is like the Wolverine. He never seems to stop coming. Anthony Davis would be Thor. Strong, powerful and vital to the group. Dennis Schroder is the sly and deadly member, perhaps much like Night Crawler.
Montrezl Harrel is the Incredible Hulk of the team. Part scrapper and all-out fearless. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the Hawkeye of the group. Then of course there is Alex Caruso, who is the ever-important and hard-working underdog and let’s not forget Markieff Morris, who is Marcus’s brother. How amazing is that?
Just to make things a bit more dramatic and interesting, Clippers head coach Tyron Lue was one a member of the Lakers and part of two championship teams as well as being the head coach of the Cavaliers in 2016, when Cleveland won it all with LeBron James.
Lou Williams was once a Laker, and Harrell was sixth man of the year last season when he played for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac was drafted by the Lakers in 2016. He played for them until he was traded to the Clippers in 2019. Lakers veteran Jared Dudley was a member of the Clippers in 2013-2014.
Of course, we know that Lakers head coach Frank Vogel and Tyron Lue both have won one ring apiece. The coaching staff for both teams runs quite deep with many having a lot of experience.
Jason Kidd heads that group for the Lakers, followed by Lionel Hollins and then of course Miles Simon and one-time Laker, Mike Penberthy. Other than Tyron Lue, assistant coach Larry Drew both played and coached for the Lakers.
Chauncey Billups (Mr. Big Shot) who was a phenomenal point guard for several years, is another of the assistants for the Clippers followed by one-time Nets head coach, Kenny Atkinson.
So you see, there you have it! The basketball gods or fate, have allowed this all to happen. They say that everything happens for a reason and that nothing is a coincidence. I believe that very much.
Make no mistake, these two will meet somewhere down the road in the future, and no matter where that is, there is one thing guaranteed. When they clash, the basketball world will tremble!