Los Angeles Lakers lose the battle of Los Angeles to the Clippers

In a game that could be called “Battle of the Network Stars”, the story surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers–Los Angeles Clippers game was ESPN pulling the game from its schedule in favor of the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors rematch.

The game was pulled after LeBron James was placed in the NBA Health and Safety protocols. But after LeBron was released after two negative COVID tests, it was too late to switch things back and the ship had sailed.

But is the change of schedule a change of the times? After the Russell Westbrook trade, the Lakers were on the national television schedule a whopping 43 games. Now that the Lakers have underwhelmed coming into this game at 12-11 with one of the easiest schedules in the NBA full of home games, maybe they are no longer must see TV…

"“Want me to tell you where fear is applicable?” Smith said. “Fear is applicable when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers. They’re the ones who should fear the [Phoenix] Suns. They’re the ones who should fear the [Golden State] Warriors because the Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of putting an emphatic exclamation point to the era of LeBron James. There is no such thing as the LeBron James era if you ain’t in the Finals. … It ain’t LeBron James’ fault. When that brother healthy, we know what he brings to the table, but because of the rest of the team, the Lakers are on the verge of being irrelevant in the championship equation.”"

Folks, the Los Angeles Lakers are irrelevant. ESPN just told you…Lake Show Life has stated it for two months and their record of 12-12 says it all.

The Lakers lost to the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115. This is no longer about the Big 3. Tired of talking about it. The best player on the floor was Malik Monk. Anyone that says different was watching the Warriors/Suns game. It is amazing to sit back and watch a bunch of veterans sleepwalk on defense the entire fourth quarter with the complete inability to guard a simple pick and roll play.

Bottom line…NO ONE is scared of the Los Angeles Lakers. When Isaiah Hartenstein who barely made the Clippers roster at the end of training camp does this…

This is not about basketball analysis anymore. Let’s talk reality.

The good from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:

Introducing at center for your Los Angeles Lakers…DeAndre…Oops! Dwight Howard!

There are Lakers fans that are dancing in the streets now that DeAndre Jordan is officially out of the rotation. Some might have even laughed at the joke in the headline. Either way, Dwight Howard is the Lakers center going forward and if Rajon Rondo stays in his ear and keeps him on the act right path, this could go far in the improvement plans for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dwight Howard came out engaged and made some impressive plays early.

Look this writer knows what this guy can do. In fact, there was a personal letter to the Los Angeles Lakers a couple of years ago asking for Dwight to be signed!

• Los Angeles Lakers: Do yourself a favor and sign Dwight Howard!

However, Dwight Howard is known to do some strange things on the court that messes up the positive plays he has prior. Can someone pass this old article to him so he can read it?

•  Los Angeles Lakers: Dwight Howard needs to avoid distractions to find success

He finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. In crunch time he disappeared for the small lineup and the Lakers got burned! Why Dwight wasn’t on the floor for rim protection will be a mystery as long as Vogel stays head coach.

Malik Monk’s second half!

Man this dude is making millions of dollars for his future. At this point, he has to realize that with his defensive deficiencies, he has to to put the ball in the basket and knock down 3 point shots. He was on fire in the second half.

Monk was scoreless in the first half and dropped 20 points in the second. Even though he missed three in crunch time, he was one of the main reasons that the Lakers made their comeback.

For the most part, the Lakers shot well! 

The Lakers shot 50 percent from the field and a respectable 36 percent from 3 point land. There’s only one problem though. Keep reading to see what that problem was.

The bad from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:

The Lakers (ESPECIALLY ANTHONY DAVIS!) can’t shoot free throws!

This team missed eight free throws…Anthony Davis missed four of them and they lost by four points. Not the greatest mathematician in the world but that makes a difference. How did the Clippers do you ask?

The Los Angeles Lakers sponsored a Clippers parade to the free throw line!

This wasn’t the greatest shooting exhibition from either team to say the least. The major difference (Or issue!) was from the free throw line. That just happened to be the Clippers number one weapon on offense. They shot 20 first half free throws knocking down 19 of them. What was even more troubling was they shot 16 of them in the second quarter alone. The Lakers did a better job in the second half but as Stu Lantz told it that was because they were hitting shots.

The Lakers guards can’t stop dribble penetration…AT ALL!

Folks in Lakers Nation, understand when the Lakers go into a basic zone defense that high school teams run, this should shine the light on how bad the guards are on perimeter defense. Eric Bledsoe is well on his way to a overseas career and he had no issues getting to the basket to draw fouls to shoot free throws.

The story from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:

The Los Angeles Clippers ran the same play the ENTIRE fourth quarter and the Lakers couldn’t stop it!

Let’s set up the scene with how Paul George was doing. He shot 7-20 and missed all seven 3 pointers. Frank Vogel thought it was a good idea to double him every time to get the ball out of his hand. It seemed that this happened Luke Kennard or Marcus Morris would drain shots from all over the floor.

It seems that the mainstream media is about five months at most and six weeks at least behind Lake Show Life!

The sands of the hourglass is flowing to the end of Frank Vogel’s tenure as Los Angeles Lakers head coach. The staff of Lake Show Life planted the seed of doubt in the offseason and made a declaration after the second game of the season! After the Lakers embarrassed themselves a week ago against the Sacramento Kings, the spotlight of blame left Frank Vogel to Rob Pelinka, the Rambises and Jeanie Buss.

• Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Is Frank Vogel’s job security still stable?
• Lakers vs. Suns: It’s already safe to write off the Lakers’ title hopes
• Time to fire Frank Vogel as the Los Angeles Lakers lose in Triple OT

Well the major sports networks had the Los Angeles Lakers’ bags already packed for the NBA FInals in June, well things have changed as of late haven’t they?

This loss and any other loss is on the front office. See, NBA games are rarely bumped this early in the season. Going from ESPN to the last channel of NBA League Pass is a serious drop. This is business. Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and their respective teams are now the season narrative. The Lakers are old news.

The Big 3 should be embarrassed. There was no urgency to take over this game and win it. They are not playing hard for Frank Vogel so let’s stop kidding ourselves. They have three days to hand the keys to Phil Handy or David Fizdale.