Does anyone seriously think Lakers can beat the Clippers in a 7 game series? Because I just don't see it.
Can, absolutely. Not sure they will, but the Lakers absolutely can beat the Clippers in a series. Davis is a big problem for the Clippers as I don't think George or Leonard can handle guarding him full time and they really don't have anyone else I would trust guarding him. I mean the other options are Zubac, Harkless, Green, and Patterson and I wouldn't trust any of them to be able to guard Davis with any consistency. So I see Davis as the key to that series. If he plays up to his full potential, I think the Lakers probably win the series, if he doesn't, then the Clippers probably win.
Doesn't the same question also applies to who's guarding Paul George, let alone Kawhi?
I think James on George and a combination of Green/Bradley on Leonard isn't nearly as bad as whoever tries to guard Davis. Obvious mismatch for Kawhi in that situation, but not nearly as bad a mismatch as the Clippers trying to guard Davis.
Wonder how a 35 year old LBJ holds up in a hard fought series having to play full effort on both ends of the floor the entire series? Does he suffer on the offensive end?
I don't think Lakers have the horses to win the series.
But the Clippers do? That seems like a strange take. Let's just call Davis/James vs. George/Leonard a wash (it is fairly close either way) after that, what are you left with
LAC - Beverly, Williams, Harkless, Harrell, Shamet, Green, Zubac, Patterson, McGruder, Robinson
LAL - Green, KCP, Howard, Kuzma, McGee, Caruso, Bradley, Cook, Daniels, Rondo
Those are everyone that has played at least 200 minutes this year. I might just favor the Lakers given their much greater high level playoff experience.
That is why I think the series comes down to Davis.
What's strange about it? Clippers have more depth, IMO and won't be relying on their 35 year old alpha to bust his butt off on both ends of the floor in extended minutes. This isn't hard to grasp.
Now, the health of both PG & Kawhi will be the biggest wild cards. If healthy, I think Clippers take that series and its not really a hot take either.
In the playoffs, there are no B2Bs and sometimes there are 2 days off between games in a series. I expect the Lakers will pickup another wing at the deadline or in buyout market (e.g. Iggy). How's Kawhi going to hold up in a hard fought series?
For an example of how he holds up see the 2018-2019 NBA playoffs.
Exactly.
I agree with Donogus on this one. I think Beverly, Williams and Harrell are all better than the third best player on the Lakers. Its also kind of a misuse of the word strange here. There is nothing strange about thinking that. I imagine most people would think the core of a team that made the playoffs last year and pushed the Warriors to 6 game is better than veteran castoffs signed for near the minimum (outside of Green). Whatever you think of those guys, the take is not "strange".
KCP, Bradley, and McGee weren't signed for the minimum or all that close to it either (obviously Kuzma is still on his rookie deal).
Beverly is a quality defender that doesn't do much else. That is pretty much the definition of the Clippers players. Very one sided in their roles. Williams and Harrell score. They have no credible rebounders from that unit. Who is going to get the clutch rebound (outside of George or Leonard). Who is defending the rim? Frankly, they have some good, but no elite shooters either (again outside of George and Leonard).
Gallinari was vitally critical to the Clippers success last year (SGA to a lesser extent). Obviously they've replaced them with George and Leonard who are big upgrades, but without Gallinari and SGA, the Clippers are no where near a playoff team last year so I do think it is strange to hold the Clippers other guys out like it was a playoff team.
I get people can have different views but I'm taking this team
PG's - Rondo, Cook, Caruso
Wings - Green, Bradley, KCP, Dudley, Daniels
Bigs - Kuzma, Howard, McGee
Over this team
PG's - Beverly, Williams
Wings - Shamet, Harkless, McGruder, Robinson, Mann
Bigs - Harrell, Green, Zubac, Patterson
The Lakers are much more balanced and cohesive as a unit.