Why the Los Angeles Lakers are miles better than the Clippers

For the first time since both teams have been in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers have both had true title aspirations the last two seasons. For most of the teams’ history, it was the Clippers not being a contending team, although the Clippers did have the Lob City era while the Lakers were in the dark ages.

Despite this being a first for LA basketball, the two teams have not yet squared off in the playoffs. When Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019 it seemed like the two teams were destined to be in the Western Conference Finals for at least the next two years.

In year one the Lakers made it (and won the title) while the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in round two. In year two the Lakers made it (losing in six games) while the injury bug caught up to the Lakers, resulting in an early exit.

There is no denying that the two teams are talented and over the last two years you could make the case that they were close in talent. Not this year.

The Los Angeles Lakers are miles ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers heading into the 2021-22 season.

While the Lakers were arguably still the better team when healthy the last two years, it would not have been inconceivable if the Clippers beat them in a playoff series. This upcoming season, that seems impossible.

The Lakers are on a completely different tier than the Clippers. The Lakers and Brooklyn Nets represent the top tier of true contenders and then it is everyone else. You could argue that the Milwaukee Bucks are on that tier as well, but I would have them slightly behind.

Regardless, the Lakers are miles ahead of the Clippers. Let’s break down why.