The Clips' off to a Hot Start

Image credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images

It has only been three days since the start of the 2019-2020 NBA season, but that is enough time to start making some assumptions; especially about the two teams that call Los Angeles home. The Lakers and the Clippers faced off on opening night in the first of four highly anticipated meetings. For most of the game, it was a back and forth battle, but the Clippers pulled ahead early in the fourth quarter and never looked back; winning the game with a final score of 112-102. The score might say otherwise, but the Clippers were in control of this matchup for most of the night.

What was so dominating about their victory, you might ask? For starters, Paul George saw exactly zero minutes of action due to the fact that he is still recovering from off-season surgery. One of the best players in the NBA was out, and the Lakers still got ran out of Staples Center. Once PG13 comes back healthy, the Clippers will be able to have an all-defensive caliber wing on him at all times.

Okay, the clips won without PG, so what? Well not only did they win, but the Clips straight-up bullied the Lakers all night long. Everyone knew how great this Clippers team would be defensively, but to attack the Lakers out of the gate like that? It was extremely impressive, and it seemed the Lakers wanted no part in the physicality the Clippers presented. Lebron was the main culprit of this, which is somewhat surprising due to his size; but he has also been known to back down when challenged in the past.

For the last point about the Clippers, did anyone else happen to see Kawhi on Tuesday? That man is special, he is not flashy by any means, but he gets it done night in and night out and that is spectacular in its’ own right. If the Lakers don’t figure out a way to, at the very least, slow Leonard down they can kiss their title hopes goodbye.

As for the Lakers, the concern is not that they lost or even the fashion in which they lost; but instead, the concern is that what people expected the Lakers to struggle with they did, mightily. Nobody is going to have a better bench than the Clippers but if you expect to win, you must at least put forth a bench that can keep you in the game. After one outing, we can tell the Lakers are lacking that luxury. Yes, Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo sat out; which could help aid their second unit significantly. The Lakers better hope that is the case, or else they will be in serious trouble.

Along with their depth, there were also a lot of questions whether or not the Lakers had enough playmakers. That answer is already a resounding no. Other than Lebron, the Lakers do not have a single player on the perimeter that can create their own shot, or get others open looks. That is fine if you have Anthony Davis dominating on the inside, and Lebron playing up to his normal standards. But, with the way Lebron looked in this matchup Tuesday; he alone will not be enough on the perimeter for the Lakers to win a championship. The Lakers might need to take a look at Jamal Crawford or, dare I say it, Carmelo Anthony.

It has only been one game for the Lakers and two for the Clippers (they defeated the Warriors Thursday night 141-122, dominating again). Yet the Clippers, without PG, clearly look like the best team in LA as well as the entire league. It is telling that Lebron, after doing his best Houdini impersonation in the second half, downplayed the game and the very obvious rivalry, by saying it is nothing of the sort. Kawhi (as of now) has come to LA and took the crown right off of Lebron’s head. From this point forward, the Clippers should be clear title favorites until proven otherwise.

- Paul Hessing