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Roundtable: Los Angeles Lakers-Los Angeles Clippers arms race

By Jamaal Artis

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 06: (L-R) Coach Lionel Hollins talks with Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers before a game between the Lakers and the LA Clippers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 06: (L-R) Coach Lionel Hollins talks with Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers before a game between the Lakers and the LA Clippers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Clippers
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Clippers /

2. Who would win a 7 game “Hallway Series”?

Redan: If there was a seven-game series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs, I would have to choose the Clippers. While the Lakers may appear to have more offense on the surface, the Clippers have the defense and defensive players.

Going along with the saying that “defense wins championships”, I think the Clippers would frustrate the Lakers and make it very difficult for them to score. While the Lakers could definitely outscore many of the teams in the league, I do not consider the Clippers to be one of them.

The Clippers have the offensive weapons and the required defense to prevent a Lakers’ charge or onslaught, especially in close games. Clippers in 6.

Hil:  Which team would win a hallway series? I think the Clippers would win the series in 7 games. The reason for this is the Clippers have two players in Leonard and George in the middle of their prime who can create their own shot and do not have to depend on another player to create offense for them.

On the other hand, as great as LeBron is in his mid-30’s and not in his prime though still a highly effective top 5 player. Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the world as well, but he typically relies on getting fed the ball in key places so he can get offense.

Furthermore, the bench for the Clippers is what tips the scale. The bench of the Clippers know their defined roles and are led by two of the best sixth men in Williams and Harrell.

Though the Lakers have good players coming off the bench for them and some of the past stars, they do not share the chemistry that the Clippers bench has had for the recent years. The Clippers bench has the ability to gel at the right time, while the Lakers bench is in question.

Jamaal: If I think the Lakers have the better roster then I should think they would win a series against the Clippers. There is one caveat though, in the playoffs rosters get shortened and it usually comes down to the best 7-8 players to carry the load over a series.

That is an advantage for the Clippers who are top heavy and won’t need to rely on their 10th man like in the regular season.

But here is why the Lakers win: Anthony Davis has been dominant in the playoffs, albeit in small sample size, he has been good for 30.5 ppg 12.7 rpg and 3.2 bpg. Those are Shaq and Hakeem Olajuwon numbers. Nobody on the Los Angeles Clippers can match that. Los Angeles Lakers win.

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