NBA: The battle of Los Angeles

By Rhys Chamberlain

The recent addition of all-star guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers has created a roster that looks as though it might be a genuine threat in the West this season and Paul, alongside blockbusting power forward Blake Griffin, makes the ever-struggling Clippers a real title contender.

Paul in action for the new Orleans Hornets.

 

Paul was traded on Wednesday from the New Orleans Hornets for three point specialist Eric Gordon, all-star center Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota's first round pick in 2012. The trade has opened up the prospect of the Clippers ousting the Lakers for title of best team in Los Angeles especially now that the Lakers have stopped pursuing Magic center Dwight Howard.
It's an aging Lakers and if you compare the two sides now before the season has commenced and free agency is completed, the Lakers look strong as always, but the Clippers look as good, if not better.

The Clippers starting 5 will probably read as this: Paul, Chauncey Billups (picked up after he was waived by the New York Knicks as a result of the addition of center Tyson Chandler from Dallas), Caron Butler, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The only question for the Clippers is at center where Jordan is unproven although looked good towards the end of last season.

Compare this then to the Lakers who at this point would run with: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest), Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. It looks old but good.

Looking at the two benches, the Lakers definitely have depth where the Clippers look thin, very thin. Its only real threat off the bench is 22 year old Eric Bledsoe who looks a good prospect but will need help. Compare just him to the likes of veteran point guard Steve Blake, work horse forward Matt Barnes and recent addition Josh McRoberts and it exposes some problems for the Clippers. They do however have time to add bits and pieces before Christmas Day when they open up the rejigged season against the Golden State Warriors and the Lakers don't have the luxury of Lamar Odom off the bench as he was traded to Dallas in the Lakers attempts at getting either Paul and Howard.

Look out for the first regular season clash of the Los Angeles sides when they meet on January 14th at the Staples Center, a home game for the Clips.