The Los Angeles Clippers keep adding pieces to an already well-rounded team. Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson were the latest addition of the Clips, who now look stronger than ever ahead of the final stretch of the season.
Their biggest competition are the Lakers, who haven’t made any additions after the trade deadline. Given that, several people believe the Clippers have a much better team than the Lakers, including the former Purple and Gold’s president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson.
Johnson predicted the two Los Angeles teams will meet in the Western Conference Finals, but now he has a clear favorite to go play for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Via Mark Medina of USA Today Sports:
“If you look at man-for-man, (the Clippers are) probably better than (the Lakers) in terms of the bench,” Johnson said in Chicago at McDonald’s Black and Positivity Golden “Beyond the Court” panel.”
“But to Anthony Davis and LeBron James, to me they are going to be the key and they are going to have to dominate in that series. Then we’re going to need that third scorer.”
The Clippers rely on Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to lead them, but they have definitive third options in either Lou Williams or Montrezl Harrell. On the other hand, Johnson conceded that players like Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, Avery Bradley or anyone else couldn’t assume that role for the Lakers.
Proof of this lack of assists for James and Davis were the Lakers’ two regular-season losses to the Clippers. Doc Rivers and his pupils outplayed the Purple and Gold in the final period. In the season-opening win, the Clippers opened the fourth quarter with a 19-7 run. Then on Christmas Day, the Clippers overcame a seven-point deficit in the final six minutes.
The Lakers still have work to do if they want to match or surpass the depth the Clippers have right now.
