Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET
Before Santa gets nestled in bed for a long winter’s nap, the NBA offers up the West Coast City rivalry. The upstart Los Angeles Lakers play host to Doc Rivers and the Clippers. The Lakers biggest challenge this year will be deciding whether chemistry and wins are more important than a high draft pick. The Lakers will surrender any pick outside the Top 3 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Every high draft pick is important to young teams, and with the depth available in this year’s draft, any lottery pick outside the top 3 would be detrimental to the Lakers franchise. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Clippers window of competing for Championships may be closing. They have been a team plagued with key injuries, especially to their superstar forward,
The Lakers biggest challenge this year will be deciding whether chemistry and wins are more important than a high draft pick. The Lakers will surrender any pick outside the Top 3 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Every high draft pick is important to young teams, and with the depth available in this year’s draft, any lottery pick outside the top 3 would be detrimental to the Lakers franchise. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Clippers window of competing for Championships may be closing. They have been a team plagued with key injuries, especially to their superstar forward,
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Clippers window of competing for Championships may be closing. They have been a team plagued with key injuries, especially to their superstar forward, Blake Griffin. Griffin’s absence has put a larger emphasis on the talents of Chris Paul and Deandre Jordan. Griffin is expected to miss up to 6 weeks with his latest injury to his right knee. If this injury plagues Griffin for an extended time, Doc Rivers will need to formulate a plan to attack teams in a much different way. Shooters like
If this injury plagues Griffin for an extended time, Doc Rivers will need to formulate a plan to attack teams in a much different way. Shooters like J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, and even Chris Paul, will need to rely on the presence that Deandre Jordan can provide inside. As for a season long look like, the Clippers will find it hard to win the West with the Warriors and Spurs being much more equipped. I’d be surprised to see them move on from Blake Griffin, but stranger things have happened.
I’d be surprised to see them move on from Blake Griffin, but stranger things have happened.
Prediction:
Like the star on top of the tree, Chris Paul shines the brightest. Clippers close out the day with a blowout performance. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
