Lakers Are Still the Best Team in Los Angeles

Ryan WardOct 30, 2008

Coming into the battle of Los Angeles between the Lakers and the Clippers, many people thought that Baron Davis and a revamped Clippers team had a good chance of giving the Lakers a run for their money. But that was far from the truth as the Lakers just destroyed the Clipps 117-79.

In the first quarter of this match up both teams were fired up and playing great basketball on both sides of the floor. Baron Davis looked like he could single handedly turn this into a pretty heated rivalry firing up his new team. He was playing great defense, dishin' to teammates, but once the Lakers started getting going in the second quarter the Clippers didn't have a chance.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the Lakers blowout win over the Clippers was the fact that every single player that was on the floor for the Lakers scored at least 4 points. Not only is that impressive, but the Lakers also had 7 players in double figures.

Kobe Bryant didn't have a "Kobe-like" scoring night with only 16 points, but the way Phil Jackson's offense was clicking, he didn't have to. Andrew Bynum had a decent night as well with only 12 points and 9 boards, but he was a monster on defense blocking three shots and one steal. Jordan Farmar continues to be a force off the bench putting up 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting.

In only two games so far this season, the Lakers have shown some solid team defense and great team chemistry. Not only are the Lakers firing on all cylinders on offense with everyone getting involved, but they are legitimately tough to score on. In the second quarter against the Clippers, the Lakers put the clamps on and easily contained Baron Davis from doing anything on the floor.

Davis finished with only 11 points on a pitiful 4 for 13 from the floor and 4 turnovers, but he did manage to dish out 7 assists with 3 steals. I think the Clippers will be very good in the near future as when they did keep with the Lakers in the beginning of the game were actually holding their on, but the definitely need more time to create some team chemistry.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT MATCH UP: Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets Nov 1st 6pm PST