Battle for L.A.: Lake Show vs. Lob City.

Let's start with the Lakers. The additions of Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison improve the team, I believe. Steve Nash can get much better shots for Kobe and the big men, and Jamison can spread the floor and provide some instant offense off the bench. I think Gasol will be over the trade rumors and have a better year than he did last year (also since he'll see the ball a bit more with Nash being there, I think). It is true, though, that the Lakers still don't have a consistent outside shooting threat. I think if they get someone to provide that for them, they could be right there with OKC in the West and give them a run for the Western Conference crown. The Clippers, on the other hand, have lost some key players and gained some key players. Sure, they pick up Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford, but they also lose Mo Williams and Nick Young. It's hard to say how Odom will perform this year, since he was obviously affected psychologically by the trade and having to live in Dallas and whatnot last year. Back in LA, he'll probably have a better year (since it's not possible to be much worse than he was last year; 37% shooting? Really?). Nick Young, despite some of his inconsistencies, was a nice player who could shoot well in general, though, and he'll be a big loss. I think the Clippers come up a bit shorter here. As far as Crawford replacing Williams, I think this will be about a wash. He'll come off the bench and provide some offense, which is pretty much what Williams did too. Also, it should be noted that Reggie Williams, a great energy big man and good rebounder, left for Brooklyn. Another factor for the Clippers is experience. While the Lakers' veterans get another year older, the Clippers' younger players get more developed. Griffin will hopefully improve his free throws and outside shooting, and DeAndre Jordan will hopefully be able to do more than just catch alley-oops and occasionally block shots. The question seems to be whether they can make up for the players they lost by replacing them with the players they have and filling in the gaps with the added experience for the younger players. I think it'll come down to whether Griffin and Jordan can become semi-consistent outside shooters or have more expanded roles than they did last year. Having your 2 big men not be respected from anywhere outside of the paint is not going to bode well for the offense (the paint will be packed). While I think it's possible this occurs, I don't think it does quickly enough or fully enough for the Clippers to contend in the West.

I think, the Lakers is still better than the Clippers. Blake's weapon is only under the rim that's why the defense can be tight on him. The addition of Odom doesn't give the Clippers that big boost but they still improve offensively and defensively. But comparing that addition to Nash going to Lakers, the Lakers improvement is greater compared to Clippers. Blake needs to improve his outside shots and Jordan should improve his rebounding and defensive ability.