by Ryan Mercier
LeBron James and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination in the first round. Kawhi Leonard and the vaunted Clippers are nearing disappointment for the second consecutive year in the playoffs. Hello, Hollywood!
In Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns the Lakers resembled LeBron’s first team in L.A. James could only do so much while his supporting cast let him down and all appeared hopeless. In fact, Tuesday night’s 115-85 beatdown may have been even worse than when The King was running around with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and company. This is because LeBron did not appear to be able or lacked the urge to go full Terminator Mode.
The Lakers entire season is marred by injuries to their superstars and it’s once again the biggest story in the playoffs. One single injury to Anthony Davis, even if it turns out to be for one game, could swing the NBA Championship.
LeBron once brought the 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers to the Finals filled with a roster of less talented players than the aforementioned Ingram, Ball, or Kuzma. It’s clear Davis is the key to back-to-back titles. If these Lakers get bounced in the first round on the heels of injuries to James and AD, where will they go from here?
It’s incredible, really. A massive cloud of doubt will loom over the most storied NBA franchise if they come up short on Thursday night. Not because of a lack of talent but because of questions surrounding how long LeBron can remain the best player in the league at his age and Davis’ health.
Now, if those sound like big problems then take a trip across the hall of Staples Center. The Lakers might, maybe, possibly, perhaps exit early in their quest for an 18th (EIGHTEENTH!) championship. The Los Angeles Clippers have still never made an appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Ever.
Kawhi showed up on the Toronto Raptors for one season and boom, NBA champions. The poor Clippers appear to be a different story with Leonard’s arrival. What’s the opposite of mystique? Whatever the answer, it’s what the Clippers just ooze.
Losing a 3-1 series lead to Denver last season in the bubble was inexcusable. Aside for, of course, the very fair excuse of the playoffs taking place in Disney World sealed off from society’s peril with a deadly virus. So, in pure basketball terms, inexcusable.
Still, this season was supposed to be different. They got a different head coach. Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams were shipped out as the last pieces of the fun team which bridged Lob City with this Kawhi and Paul George version. They even added Rajon Rondo, an extremely important contributor to last year’s champion. Yet, here they are again. Little Brother Los Angeles may have to go to bed early.
The Clippers outwardly tanked the end of the season to both avoid seeing the Lakers in the conference finals and to match up with Dallas in the first round. Not only might the Clippers be wiped out by the indescribable Luka Doncic in the first round but it turns out the Lakers may not have even have a chance to be the opponent in a theoretical, currently make-believe, Western Conference Finals.
Los Angeles is burning and the whole city could go down in flames by Friday night. Do one of these teams have it in them to put out the fire? Do both?
Struggling Actor Sports 