Swanson Clippers Lakers heading in different directions HEAD TOPICS
Swanson Clippers Lakers heading in different directions
10/21/2022 9:01:00 AM Swanson Clippers Lakers heading in different directions
Source L A Daily News
Swanson Clippers Lakers heading in different directions The Lakers are short on size on the wings and shooting, must-haves in the modern NBA and two things the Clippers have throughout their deep, self-less roster. UPDATED:October 21, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.LOS ANGELES — The Lakers made it interesting, made the Clippers work for their season-opening 103-97 victory, but the fact remains: These teams are like ships passing in the night, without a whole lot in common. One of them is headed for port at a quick clip, a merchant vessel stocked with the necessary supplies to flourish. Its crew talks often of sacrifice, and its leader exemplified it Thursday in their season opener.The other is listing and taking on water as its navigation malfunctions, sinking into the expanse. One of the key members of this crew isn’t nearly so comfortable making the same sacrifice (read: coming off the bench). Read more:
L.A. Daily News » Lakers to open season at Crypto.com Arena against Clippers Clippers beat Lakers in season opener, battle for LA Kawhi Leonard Scores 14 in Return to Court, Clippers Hold Off Lakers 103-97 Lakers-Warriors takeaways: LeBron James explains why Lakers can't make three-pointers US home sales fall for 8th month in a row in September the longest slump since 2007 CNN Business
Home sales in the US declined for the eighth month in a row in September as surging mortgage rates and high prices pushed buyers out of the market. Read more >> Lakers to open season at Crypto.com Arena against ClippersThe Lakers' first home game of the 2022-23 NBA season is set for Thursday night against the Clippers. Superstars LeBron James (left foot) and Anthony Davis (lower back) are listed as probable for the highly anticipated matchup. Would the Lakers really sit them to have an excuse for the inevitable blowout coming to them? Clippers beat Lakers in season opener, battle for LAKawhi Leonard had 14 points and seven rebounds in his first game in 16 months, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened a season of sky-high expectations with a 103-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Kawhi Leonard Scores 14 in Return to Court, Clippers Hold Off Lakers 103-97Kawhi Leonard had 14 points and seven rebounds in his first game in 16 months, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened a season of sky-high expectations with a 103-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers-Warriors takeaways: LeBron James explains why Lakers can't make three-pointers“I mean, to be completely honest, we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting. And that’s just what the truth of the matter is,” LeBron James said. “... We’re not sitting here with a bunch of 40-plus [percent] career three-point shooting guys.” NBA Twitter Rips Patrick Beverley's Playoff Declaration to Lakers FansPatrick Beverley proclaimed to Lakers fans that the team would make the playoffs this season, a comment that raised eyebrows on social media. Stephen Curry, Warriors Celebrate Championship, Crush Lakers 123-109 in NBA Season OpenerStephen Curry opened the season with 33 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109 on Tuesday night after receiving their championship rings in a pregame ceremony. October 20, 2022 at 10:55 p.LA Clippers .the Clippers , who held on down the stretch to beat their more pedigreed Los Angeles rivals for the eighth consecutive time.LAFC 3 hours ago Furious Flurry of Goals in Final Minutes Sends LAFC Past Rival LA Galaxy 3-2 in Western Conference Semifinals The Lakers dropped to 0-2, but still rallied from two large deficits and kept it close into the final minute despite nightmare shooting performances from Russell Westbrook (0 for 11) and fellow point guards Patrick Beverley (1 for 7) and Kendrick Nunn (0 for 7) in their Lakers home debuts. m. UPDATED: October 21, 2022 at 12:00 a. To add salt to Laker Nation’s wound, the game followed a ring ceremony in celebration of Golden State’s 2022 Final series win in a season in which the Lakers failed to even qualify for playoff contention.m. The Clippers’ high hopes for their first championship rest largely on Leonard’s ability to return to elite form. LOS ANGELES — The Lakers made it interesting, made the Clippers work for their season-opening 103-97 victory, but the fact remains: These teams are like ships passing in the night, without a whole lot in common. The Lakers made several roster moves, fired Frank Vogel and hired Darvin Ham as its new head coach. One of them is headed for port at a quick clip, a merchant vessel stocked with the necessary supplies to flourish. Keep shooting. Its crew talks often of sacrifice, and its leader exemplified it Thursday in their season opener. In the past decade, the Clippers have a 32-7 record over their hallway rivals, which seems impressive, but the reality is the Lakers are one of the most successful franchises in sports history. Lonnie Walker scored 26 points. The other is listing and taking on water as its navigation malfunctions, sinking into the expanse. One of the key members of this crew isn’t nearly so comfortable making the same sacrifice (read: coming off the bench). This season, the Lakers are hoping to return to greatness and the fully-loaded Clippers are aiming for the franchise’s first championship. Despite Thursday’s taut contest – typical of two teams whose first three games last season were decided by a combined eight points – you know which is which. Westbrook again struggled on offense, but made several impressive defensive plays while guarding Leonard down the stretch. With LeBron James, Anthony Davis and still-starting point guard Russell Westbrook (who shot 0 for 11 on Thursday), the Lakers are well stocked with superstars – but they’ve got no gauge on the North Star. All Eyes on AD Big Man Anthony Davis has been prone to injuries and this year, he is the key to the team’s success. Zubac added 17 rebounds, including six offensive boards. No clear path to a championship, nor much inspiration or hope that they’ll find their way this year, though Patrick Beverley implored fans before tipoff Thursday: “Stick with us, we’re gonna try to make some good (stuff) happen.” They’re short on shooting, one of the things that helps a team win in the modern NBA. Ham said the Lakers offense will run through AD in his introductory press conference. The Clippers broke open a close game immediately after Davis left the floor, eventually scoring 17 consecutive points in less than three minutes. On Tuesday, they went 10 for 40 from 3-point range. On Thursday, they shot worse: 9 for 45. Lakers introduce Darvin Ham Darvin Ham said "it all starts with defense. Regression after they shot 34. Lakers: This injury-plagued franchise already has four players sidelined: G Dennis Schröder (thumb surgery), C Thomas Bryant (thumb surgery), F Troy Brown Jr. 2013, when he came off the bench for the Spurs in New York. 7% from deep last season, worse than all but seven teams. It got so bad, Westbrook admitted he no longer wants his family to attend games to hear his name constantly dragged through the mud. Honest LeBron, with his Abe Lincoln beard, told no lies after the Lakers’ season-opening loss at Golden State: “It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team.” The Lakers are also short, basically devoid of big wings who can defend the perimeter – the other thing that helps win in the modern NBA. There is no denying his passion for the game and no matter what, he shows up. Leonard had started 447 consecutive regular season games and 100 playoff contests since Nov. They’re starting three guards who are 6-foot-4 or shorter alongside the 6-9 James and 6-10 Davis. Off the bench will come 6-1 Dennis Schröder and 6-2 Kendrick Nunn. Coach Ham said he will explore having Westbrook in the second unit. Lakers: Host Trail Blazers on Sunday. That, at least, sets up a good story: Undrafted forward Matt Ryan, a dude who was driving for DoorDash a year ago, came off the bench and played 18 minutes in Tuesday’s opener because the Lakers were so desperate for shooting and a 6-7 someone to play on the wing. RUSS NOT BENCHED Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he briefly spoke to Westbrook about the guard’s claim that coming off the bench possibly contributed to his preseason hamstring injury because he didn’t know how to warm up properly for a reserve role after spending the previous 13 years as an NBA starter. On Thursday, he logged 13 minutes, including nine in the first half. Conversely, the Clippers have so much shooting and so much size on the wing that their biggest question entering the season was whether you can, in fact, have too much of a good thing. The Clippers think not. UP NEXT Clippers: At Kings on Saturday. Coach Tyronn Lue has 11 guys who deserve to play. So much firepower they brought Kawhi Leonard off the bench Thursday in his first game after a year away, spent recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Clippers had a 48-36 lead when he finally checked in with 6:25 to play in what was an underwhelming first half in a game with plenty of opening-night bugs. At the outset, Leonard looked like he’d been shot out of a canon, grabbing a pair of rebounds and hitting his first two shots in fewer than 30 seconds – exertion that cost him in the minutes that followed. The Clippers have compiled their surplus of size and skill around Leonard and George because, for years, they’ve operated with a clear vision: Load up on length, overstock on interchangeable, switchable wings. Value shooting. Develop the depth. Except for point guards Reggie Jackson (6-2) and John Wall (6-3) – and guard Norman Powell, who is 6-3 but has a 6-11 wingspan – the Clippers’ other contributors are all at least 6-5. And one of those 6-5 guys is Luke Kennard, who finished second last season in the 3-point shootout at the All-Star Weekend – and first in the NBA for 3-point shooting percentage for the season (44.9%). That buoyed a Clippers team whose 37. 4% mark from deep was tied for the second best league-wide. He hit all three of his 3-point attempts Thursday. I know someone who might say the Clippers are sitting pretty with “a lot of lasers.” They have something else the Lakers don’t – continuity. The Lakers’ roster has been disassembled and reassembled so many times only James and Davis remain from the team that won the 2020 NBA championship. Related Articles .