LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: How LA matches up against the best in the West

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Anthony Davis (left) #3 sits next to LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 05, 2019 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Anthony Davis (left) #3 sits next to LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 05, 2019 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Houston Rockets

You might be surprised to see the Houston Rockets on this list as a top team in the West because of the clashing play styles of Russell Westbrook and James Harden. While it will probably hurt the team in the playoffs, they have way too much talent to not finish in the top four in the West.

The pros:

Right off the bat, the biggest pro that the Los Angeles Lakers have over the Houston Rockets is team chemistry. As we mentioned, Westbrook and Harden are not two peas in a pod and they are going to clash with each other.

That will be able to be contained in the regular season but when the going gets tough, the clashing play styles are going to be hard to manage, whereas LeBron James and Anthony Davis go together in a much better manner.

The Lakers’ size is also going to be a big problem for Houston. While the team has Clint Capela, they also have a starting three in Eric Gordon that is six-four and a starting four in P.J. Tucker that is six-six.

The cons:

The Rockets have far more athleticism on their roster, particularly because of Harden and Westbrook. Both guys have extreme motors and are going to push the pace to a point that is going to force the Lakers to slow the game down.

If the Rockets can force the Lakers to play their style of basketball then it will bode well for Houston in the matchups.

Also, the Lakers are going to have a hard time guarding both Westbrook and Harden. Gerald Green is going to get one of the two but the Lakers are going to need someone such as Avery Bradley to step up big time in these matchups to keep both guys at bay. Or at least try.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers