Lakers vs Clippers in a playoff series, who you got?

[insidehoops]

Lakers vs Clippers in the NBA playoffs, who wins the series, and WHY?

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Clippers in 6. Kawhi will emerge as the clear cut best player and they have a better bench.

[rawimpact]

Clippers in 6. Kawhi will emerge as the clear cut best player and they have a better bench.

Although I'd like the Lakers to win, the Clippers have this. They've got just way too much depth and have solid two way players.

[StrongLurk]

Clippers are so obviously better. I will be very surprised if the Lakers could beat them.

AD and Lebron will both need to be averaging 30ppg on high percentages to have a chance.

[Clippersfan86]

Clippers in 6. Very tough out with LeBron/AD but the Clippers are more built for the playoffs IMO with their half court offense efficiency, rebounding edge, lockdown ability and depth. Lakers D was better in regular season due to Clippers injuries. When Clippers have Kawhi+PG+Bev in lineup though they were like 33-8 with a 12+ net rating. 29 different starting 5 lineups due to injury killed them.

[HoopsNY]

The combination of AD+LeBron will prove itself worthy. There is no other team that can match that duo. In 13 career playoff games, AD has put up 30.5/12.7 with 2.5 blks on 53% shooting. So what do you think will happen now that he's paired up with LeBron in the postseason? Lakers in 5.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Clippers in 6. Very tough out with LeBron/AD but the Clippers are more built for the playoffs IMO with their half court offense efficiency, rebounding edge, lockdown ability and depth. Lakers D was better in regular season due to Clippers injuries. When Clippers have Kawhi+PG+Bev in lineup though they were like 33-8 with a 12+ net rating. 29 different starting 5 lineups due to injury killed them.

Exactly, now that we agree on. 62 win pace with Kawhi Leonard in the lineup and that's despite Paul George missing like 12 of those games. What does that say? This is a 70-74 win team when healthy. All built by Kawhi just like LeBron in miami but the better version of course.

[HoopsNY]

Exactly, now that we agree on. 62 win pace with Kawhi Leonard in the lineup and that's despite Paul George missing like 12 of those games. What does that say? This is a 70-74 win team when healthy. All built by Kawhi just like LeBron in miami but the better version of course.

LeBron in Miami > Kawhi. Don't kid yourself.

[msbutthurt]

Clippers in 3.25.

Lakers fold after the first quarter of game 4 when the quarter ends 39-12 Clippers.

[Roundball_Rock]

Clippers in 6.

The Lakers don't match up well against them. The Clippers would have the best player in the series, and the Clippers rotation after the top 2 is much better than the Lakers. The Lakers need the Clippers to get knocked out in the WCSF or first round. Barring a terrible 8 game finish, they will either be the #2 or #3 seed. If they are #3 they may draw the Rockets for the first round (currently #6 but have a shot at getting as high as #3--2 1/2 games behind Denver). That's probably the best scenario for the Lakers, the Clippers drawing Houston and Denver in their bracket. The Clippers probably still win but the Clippers have a better shot of losing before the WCF in this scenario than they do to the Lakers.

[HoopsNY]

Clippers in 6.

The Lakers don't match up well against them. The Clippers would have the best player in the series, and the Clippers rotation after the top 2 is much better than the Lakers. The Lakers need the Clippers to get knocked out in the WCSF or first round. Barring a terrible 8 game finish, they will either be the #2 or #3 seed. If they are #3 they may draw the Rockets for the first round (currently #6 but have a shot at getting as high as #3--2 1/2 games behind Denver). That's probably the best scenario for the Lakers, the Clippers drawing Houston and Denver in their bracket. The Clippers probably still win but the Clippers have a better shot of losing before the WCF in this scenario than they do to the Lakers.

The Lakers have AD+LeBron. After Kawhi, they have PG who is simply unreliable. I wouldn't bet against LeBron in this situation. Name one teammate he has had that is better than AD in years past. And this includes D. Wade.

[msbutthurt]

LeBron in Miami > Kawhi. Don't kid yourself.


2011: Dirk in Dallas > Lebron in Miami
2014: Kawhi in SA > Lebron in Miami

2014 Game 1: 110-95 Spurs +15
2014 Game 2: 98-96 Heat +2
2014 Game 3: 111-92 Spurs +19
2014 Game 4: 107-86 Spurs +21
2014 Game 5: 104-87 Spurs +17

^ LeGreatest super team

[Doranku]

I mean our backcourt rotation is:

Rondo/Caruso
KCP/JR/Dion Waiters

:ohwell:

Gonna need playoff Rondo and KCP not to regress to how he was at the beginning of the season.

[tpols]

clippers are clearly the better team.

and i trust kawhi closing over anybody from either side.

[Roundball_Rock]

The Lakers have AD+LeBron. After Kawhi, they have PG who is simply unreliable. I wouldn't bet against LeBron in this situation. Name one teammate he has had that is better than AD in years past. And this includes D. Wade.

If it was 2 on 2 the Lakers have the edge but the Clippers having Williams, Harrell and more overall depth (the advantage extended by Bradley opting out) gives them the overall advantage.

PG is underrated. From 2013-2019 he is 23/8/7 on 57% TS in the playoffs, versus 23/7/4 on 57% in the RS during the same time frame along with strong defense. Where is the big choking that he has a reputation for? (From 2016-2019 he is 27/8/4).

In the ECF he was 19/6/5 on 59% TS in 13', 24/5/4 on 58% in 14'. In both cases his numbers improved in the ECF versus his RS numbers (17/8/4 on 53% and 22/7/4 on 56% in 13', 14' respectively).

Last year, again as a #1 option, he was 29/9/4 on 58% TS in the playoffs. This was a rebound from an injury-induced second half season slump (26/9/4 on 54% post-ASG).

He failed to show up in Game 7 in 13' but was big to stave off elimination in Game 6. In 14', he was 37/6/2 to stave off elimination in Game 5 and 29/8/2 in Game 6.

Is this whole "choker" thing solely based on one game when he was 23 years old?

[L8krH8tr]

Without Avery Bradley Fakers are extra screwed.

[Axe]

If the clippers will prevail in the hallway series, then doc's record will be 2-1 already against the lakers in the postseason.

But the clippers will need to be consistent if they are to dominate this year. Their woes when pg and kawhi play together don't help at all so i have some doubts about them but hopefully, they'll toughen up each other come playoff time.

Outside of bran and ad, the lakers, meanwhile, have superman again in their lineup. They've only lost once in games where he scored at least 10 points but i'm not sure if the same success can be replicated once the postseason starts.

[HoopsNY]

If it was 2 on 2 the Lakers have the edge but the Clippers having Williams, Harrell and more overall depth (the advantage extended by Bradley opting out) gives them the overall advantage.

PG is underrated. From 2013-2019 he is 23/8/7 on 57% TS in the playoffs, versus 23/7/4 on 57% in the RS during the same time frame along with strong defense. Where is the big choking that he has a reputation for? (From 2016-2019 he is 27/8/4).

In the ECF he was 19/6/5 on 59% TS in 13', 24/5/4 on 58% in 14'. In both cases his numbers improved in the ECF versus his RS numbers (17/8/4 on 53% and 22/7/4 on 56% in 13', 14' respectively).

Last year, again as a #1 option, he was 29/9/4 on 58% TS in the playoffs. This was a rebound from an injury-induced second half season slump (26/9/4 on 54% post-ASG).

He failed to show up in Game 7 in 13' but was big to stave off elimination in Game 6. In 14', he was 37/6/2 to stave off elimination in Game 5 and 29/8/2 in Game 6.

Is this whole "choker" thing solely based on one game when he was 23 years old?

I hear what you're saying but consider the "what have you done for me lately" as the mentality that everyone should be having. Yea, overall, it seems like good numbers. But his field goal % the last three years look like this:

2017: .386
2018: .408
2019: .436

Now his TS% isn't bad, but PG is a SF at the end of the day and has these kinds of field goal percentages. Also, look at his elimination game performances the last three years. Last year was excellent, I'll give him that much.

2019: 36 pts (14-20 shooting)
2018: 5 pts (2-16 shooting)
2017: 15 pts (5-21 shooting)

Here are his opponents' Drtg:

2019 - Portland (16th)
2018 - Utah (2nd)
2017 - Cleveland (21st)

The Lakers are 3rd in Drtg this season. I just don't think this is going to be some walk in the park for him. The Lakers aren't the Blazers.

[insidious301]

The Lakers win in 6 games. They have the best perimeter player and big in this series. Their depth might not be as strong however they're longer and the better rebounding team. The few shooters they have will suffice, I think. If Bradley reconsiders he'll be a great acquisition though.

[HoopsNY]

The Lakers win in 6 games. They have the best perimeter player and big in this series. Their depth might not be as strong however they're longer and the better rebounding team. The few shooters they have will suffice, I think. If Bradley reconsiders he'll be a great acquisition though.

They have KCP and Danny Green who are both shooting 39% and 38% from deep. Shooting won't be a major problem for LAL. Here are Bradley, KCP, and Green's fg-3pt-fth percentages:

Bradley: 44/36/83
KCP: 47/39/78
Green: 42/38/73

And Green has the playoff experience. I'm expecting him to come up big as well as Rondo and Kyle Kuzma.

[insidious301]

They have KCP and Danny Green who are both shooting 39% and 38% from deep. Shooting won't be a major problem for LAL. Here are Bradley, KCP, and Green's fg-3pt-fth percentages:

Bradley: 44/36/83
KCP: 47/39/78
Green: 42/38/73

And Green has the playoff experience. I'm expecting him to come up big as well as Rondo and Kyle Kuzma.

Fair points. I'm not saying Bradley would be needed for his shooting though. I probably could've worded my post better, but I was mostly thinking of defense. Bradley's defense is pretty good.

[insidehoops]

I can make a case for either team winning.

[999Guy]

Exactly, now that we agree on. 62 win pace with Kawhi Leonard in the lineup and that's despite Paul George missing like 12 of those games. What does that say? This is a 70-74 win team when healthy. All built by Kawhi just like LeBron in miami but the better version of course.

You don’t even believe any of this. It’s just gives you the cuddly feeling to say it. We see right through you.

Just don’t quit the forum come August. That’s the best you can make of this.

[Roundball_Rock]

But his field goal % the last three years look like this:

2017: .386
2018: .408
2019: .436

Now his TS% isn't bad, but PG is a SF at the end of the day and has these kinds of field goal percentages.

During those series he averaged 9.4 three pointers per game (46% of his shots) at a solid 36.9% when considering that high volume. His 44.6% FG % on two pointers is low, though. He is a 84% FT shooter who got 7.7 FTA during this time, so that along with his competence and volume at 3PA obscures some of his efficiency issues on twos.

That may be a product of small sample sizes. He shot 34.8% on twos in 17', 44.1% in 18', 53.7% in 19'--but we are talking about 4, 6, 5 games respectively.

[Turbo Slayer]

Clippers. It's a logical choice because they have more depth and of course Kawhi.

[imdaman99]

You know anytime the NBA is fiending for a matchup, it usually doesn't happen. Rockets gonna crash the party :banana:

[Axe]

Clippers. It's a logical choice because they have more depth and of course Kawhi.
While he's basically meh in the regular season, a well-rested kawhi can be quite devastating in the postseason.

[NBAGOAT]

i lean clips too. More talented on both sides with more depth, home court not being a factor anymore isnt insignificant

[HoopsNY]

During those series he averaged 9.4 three pointers per game (46% of his shots) at a solid 36.9% when considering that high volume. His 44.6% FG % on two pointers is low, though. He is a 84% FT shooter who got 7.7 FTA during this time, so that along with his competence and volume at 3PA obscures some of his efficiency issues on twos.

That may be a product of small sample sizes. He shot 34.8% on twos in 17', 44.1% in 18', 53.7% in 19'--but we are talking about 4, 6, 5 games respectively.

Just sounds like bad shot selection in my view. And even then, his 2pt fg% is underwhelming. I watched some of those games; PG was underachieving. You asked me where this idea comes from, and that's really where it came from, particularly his performance in some elimination games.

I could be wrong, though. I think having a sidekick like Kawhi takes a lot of pressure off of him, but I'm just not convinced that he can take the bull by the horn and be clutch when it matters the most, especially given that he'll have to do it against an elite defensive team. We'll see what happens.

[HoopsNY]

Everyone keeps talking about depth. Depth matters little when you have LeBron James and Anthony Davis on your team. These two players will go down as two of the greatest players in NBA history. AD might end up top 15, LeBron is already top 5-10 by most people's standards, and is #1 by many, including the majority on this forum.

[Horatio33]

Too close to call, I'm just going to enjoy watching some great basketball with some great players.

[Stanley Kobrick]

Too close to call, I'm just going to enjoy watching some great basketball with some great players.
:cheers:

[BigShotBob]

Everyone keeps talking about depth. Depth matters little when you have LeBron James and Anthony Davis on your team. These two players will go down as two of the greatest players in NBA history. AD might end up top 15, LeBron is already top 5-10 by most people's standards, and is #1 by many, including the majority on this forum.

No....

[Lebron23]

Lakers in 7

[G0ATbe]

I don’t trust anyone on the Lakers to show up in that series outside of LeBron/AD and maybe Rondo. With that being said Lakers in 6.

[HoopsNY]

No....

I can't recall, but there was a poll on the forum and I believe the majority may have voted for LeBron as the GOAT. I might be mistaken, though.

[insidious301]

I can't recall, but there was a poll on the forum and I believe the majority may have voted for LeBron as the GOAT. I might be mistaken, though.

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?471024-Poll-Who-do-you-HONESTLY-think-is-the-GOAT

I wasn't posting at the time, but here's the latest one conducted on ISH. Total of 124 voters and Jordan won in a landslide (69% of the vote, second place going to LeBron with 12%)

[HoopsNY]

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?471024-Poll-Who-do-you-HONESTLY-think-is-the-GOAT

I wasn't posting at the time, but here's the latest one conducted on ISH. Total of 124 voters and Jordan won in a landslide (69% of the vote, second place going to LeBron with 12%)

This was before I joined. I think there was another one though. In any case, point taken.

[light]

Bet on Paul George at your own peril.

[HoopsNY]

Bet on Paul George at your own peril.

Exactly.