4 West teams that would crush the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series

By Jason Reed | Nov 18, 2021

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks backcourt during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Utah Jazz

Every year, the Utah Jazz are one of the better teams in the regular season and then they disappoint in the playoffs. They are a classic case of a team that can run through the gauntlet of the regular season but become easier to expose in a seven-game playoff series.

Ironically enough, the biggest issue for the Jazz in recent history has been Rudy Gobert, who consistently puts together absurd regular-season numbers. Teams go small against the Jazz and it becomes a serious problem for the Jazz.

How are the Lakers going to go small if Anthony Davis doesn’t like playing center? Granted, he should play more center in the playoffs but it is not like the spacing around him is going to be all that great.

Davis is not a “small” center that can shoot from beyond the arc as Nicolas Batum did against the Jazz last season. The team already has one non-shooter in Russell Westbrook at point guard and LeBron can be hit or miss beyond the arc.

That would force the Lakers to put two good shooters next to that trio in big spots. Even if Carmelo Anthony and Wayne Ellington can hit threes, the Lakers would be putting three awful defenders on the court at the same time.

The Lakers cannot exploit the Jazz unless they figure something out with Westbrook and this fit.

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