NBA: Breaking down the Lakers, Clippers after a dramatic offseason

Los Angeles Lakers – Strengths

Improved shooting

Unlike last summer, where everyone mocked the Lakers’ free agency decisions, this summer, they actually managed to address 3-point shooting with Quin Cook, Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Troy Daniels, Jared Dudley, DeMarcus Cousins, and even Anthony Davis (can shoot the 3-ball on occasions). To the Lakers’ luck, they were even able to hold on to Kyle Kuzma in the AD trade.

If you look at past LeBron led teams, most of them had good 3-point shooters to allow his passing and downhill game to flourish. Adding these names will space the floor more, compared to the personnel the Lakers had last season, and allow LeBron and Davis to have easier opportunities in the paint.

Championship experience

Cook, Green, LeBron, and Rondo (you can also include Cousins based on his single finals appearance last year) have all been to the NBA Finals on several occasions throughout their careers. Unlike the Clippers, who only have Rivers and Kawhi, the Lakers have players who know what it takes to win and go deep in the playoffs: an intangible that can become an advantage once the playoffs start.

Offensive potential in their small-ball lineups

If the reports are true about LeBron play point guard next season, him playing the position in the fourth quarter could create matchup problems for opposing teams.

Opponents will likely still have their best wing defender on him, but then that also means they will have to hide their point guard on defense, as well. Davis playing the 5 is the most likely outcome, but depending on who Vogel chooses to put on the floor for positions 2-4, that particular point guard will always be forced to guard and box out a much taller player.

Second-chance points and points inside the paint could all of a sudden become much easier with defenders debating whether or not to help off of the Lakers’ shooters.