The Clip Show

In an effort to double our Christmas content, both A-Town and I will be writing posts on the just now finished Clippers-Warriors game. His will focus on the Warriors and mine on the Clippers. Both will frighten and excite, in equal measure. Both will poke fun at Bill Simmons, but only his will contain a new Blake Griffin looks analogy. Happy Hannukah!

After an extended wait, Kobe Bryant found himself in a usual position. Demanding the ball at the end of a game, he proceeded to take an ill advised shot with three defenders collapsing in around him. The Lakers squandered a late game lead to give the young Bulls their first victory of the shortened season. Down the 101, the Clippers ended their game differently by dominating the free form Warriors. After the Chris Paul debacle unfolded in the fashion that it did, it became apparent that these two teams would be compared to each other all season long. Today's games further accentuate a question that is now being asked (and answered) by many followers of the NBA: are the Lakers in for a dismal year, and are we experiencing the birth of the Clip Show? Although the prospect excites me, I believe that both of these propositions are ultimately wrong.

Let's begin with the Lakers. Today they lost to a strong Chicago team in a game that they should have won. They were leading very late by about four points only to lose it at the last second. They had uncharacteristic turnovers (Kobe coughed the ball up on his first two possessions) and Pau Gasol shot 25% from the free throw line. In addition, they are without their starting center and are currently in the process of adjusting to a large number of new players as well as a new coach. All of these factors lead me to believe that the Lakers, although they are not the favorites to win an NBA championship, are certainly not a bad team. They are instead one that needs to play a few games together first. I think that they are easily capable of finishing in a top three position in the conference.

The Clippers are considerably more interesting. The organization collected a number of wizened veterans to complement a core of talented young players, in addition to creating the closest thing we have seen to Stockton and Malone since Stockton and Malone. They seem built to win now, and their substantial victory tonight would appear to be a testament to this notion. There are a number of problems, however, with this team. They do not have a consistent three point threat. Their starting shooting guard, Chauncey Billups, is no shooting guard at all (see: 6-18 shooting, or Alistair's fantasy shooting percentage). Furthermore, do not expect him to play 38 minutes per night effectively for the entirety of this contracted season. They are lacking a consistent rebounder, since Kaman was shipped out and DeAndre Jordan has committed to blocking every single shot an opponent takes all season. Caron Butler led the team in boards and chewed straws tonight. Lastly, they are coached by a doofus. He seems like someone who understands basketball well enough, but is neither a strong motivational coach in the Doc Rivers mold nor in possession of a grander tactical plan based on the pieces his team has acquired.

This leads me to believe that although the Lakers are probably over the hill and will not compete for championships in their current form, the Clippers are not ready to be the best team in LA just yet. If they can make a few more moves, however, this team will be one of the most fun and dangerous in the Association.