Why the Los Angeles Lakers are miles better than the Clippers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers guards LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the season opening game 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: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers guards LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the season opening game 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) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers are more versatile

Every team has tricks that it can pull off to win a certain matchup and we have to give credit to the Clippers in utilizing a certain matchup to get past the Utah Jazz in last season’s playoffs. The Clippers went small with Nicolas Batum at center and it really exposed Rudy Gobert as it kept him away from the rim and really helped the Clippers’ floor spacing.

That has been a known matchup that teams have attacked in the past with Gobert and the Clippers won’t be able to pull that off against the Lakers. And when it comes to overall versatility, the Lakers can throw more at other teams than the Clippers.

The Clippers can go small at the five but the essence of their team heading into next season is going to be three-point shooting. They were fantastic from beyond the arc last season but with no Kawhi Leonard and not a lot of size in the frontcourt, the Clippers will have an identity that teams can target.

The Lakers, meanwhile, are extremely versatile. They can punt on three-point shooting altogether and go with a big lineup that focusing on bully ball and defense. That would consist of Westbrook, Trevor Ariza, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard.

The team can go small and run a three-guard lineup alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. They can go Westbrook with four shooters around him (Malik Monk, Wayne Ellington, Carmelo Anthony, Marc Gasol).

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Big, small, shooting, defense, pick up the pace, sold down the pace… you name it and the Los Angeles Lakers have a lineup for it.