Here’s something not many thought would happen in the opening night of the NBA on Tuesday: The bench of the Los Angeles Lakers ruled the starting lineup of the Los Angeles Clippers for a decisive 116-103 victory.
This is not how things were supposed to go for the Clippers, who have been voted the favorites to come out of the West by various members of the media around the league. Most have expected the Lakers to miss the playoffs this season, but they showed that anything is possible if a system is well-executed – with or without Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers’ bench amazingly scored 76 points, led by preseason sensation Xavier Henry’s 22 points, along with 16 points and six assists from Jordan Farmar. The Lakers had a 50-38 rebounding advantage, which is great for them but unacceptable for the Clippers.
Bill Simmons wondered whether the Doc Rivers’ led Clippers could make some serious noise this season in his evaluation of the team during the preseason. After seeing them on Tuesday, he had some harsh things to say:
At what point will talking heads stop pretending that DeAndre Jordan can be the Defensive Player of the Year? Just give me a date.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 30, 2013
Lakers with a 50-38 rebounding advantage. 18 offensive. Tough night for DeAndre the 2014 DPOY. Clips should be embarrassed by this game.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 30, 2013
I’m dumbfounded by this Lakers game. Blake Griffin can’t post up Wesley Johnson? What did he do all summer?
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 30, 2013
Yes, it was an ugly game for the Clippers and a fantastic showing by the Lakers. Truth be told, though, this is one game; the first game of the season, in fact. This is not to say that how the Clippers played is acceptable. They played lackadaisical at times and never showed any will to put a string of stops together. One thing to be potentially concerned with is the lack of production from the bench, but it may only look that way in comparison to what the Lakers’ bench did – it’s not everyday that a bench outscores the starters by 36 points.
It’s natural to overreact after seeing these teams play for the first time, but what we’re seeing now is the beginning phase of all the teams around the league. Nothing more, nothing less. There are a lot more games to watch before we start dissecting the issues of the Clippers.
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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. You can find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.
You can’t take anything coming from someone that works at ESPN seriously. Period.
Bill Simmons is the worst basketball analyst there is. He just likes to say things to get a strong reaction. Whoever put BS ( appropriate initials by the way ) in a position to have a an opinion on hoop should be let go right after the door is shut on Simmons. The Lakers played great last night, give credit where it is do.
That’s just Simmons being Simmons, he likes to nitpick like that, even more when it’s about something that he has a strong opinion against. This is clearly not because of DJ or the Clippers but just because of Doc Rivers, it’s as simple as that. People should take that to the heart or even serious, if you do, you’ll be just doing what Simmons fuels himself of, attention.
Plus, DJ’s stats were pretty good
17pts 11 rbs 1 ast 3 blk 3 stl
rebounds, blocks and even steals it’s all there
Yupp.. Deandre had good stats,, I take the Scoreboard over stats any day.
We are not talking about W or L, we are talking about DJ and his defensive impact, his stats translate that much more than the scoreboard and sicne you like it better, take today’s scoreboard AND stat, his defensive impact was felt again. I like most of Simmons’ stuff, I just think that when it gets into Celtics’ stuff, he loses it and that his live havoc over Doc was pretty unnecessary and childish-like.
First game. Pleasantly surprised by the play of the Lakers based upon the way they had to piece meal the team together on one year contracts. It is still just 1 game. I am sure the bench group for the Lakers is cognizant of the doubters and analysts who will try and bury their chances at success 12 feet under before shoes are laced up and the run the hardwood for 48 minutes. The worst that can happen with this season is that some guys that did not have an opportunity to play elsewhere have an opportunity to shine and be a part of the Lakers and they take advantage of it. Wesley Johnson, Jordan Farmar and Xavier Henry, all look like the type of guys that could really elevate their games and make a difference. They will play with a chip on their shoulders too. That is a good thing! I am happy for these guys and will temper my expectations until they duplicate this kind of effort and deliver it with consistency. I am rooting for them! I would be shocked though if Doc did not get more out of the Clippers!
Lack of effort and intensity stood out, especially that of Blake and Jordan. This was a game with their cross town rival. Effort and gradual improvement is expected from the Clips.
BLAME THE BANNERS!!!! LOL….Clippers kept looking up and were blinded.
Too bad Bill Simmons is a Celtic man and hates the Lakers so instead of giving the Lakers some credit he had to badmouth the Clippers. His worst fear is that the Lakers are a good team this year and can compete. There’s a reason his initials are BS……..(Besides the anti-Laker bias from BS, I actually like some of his commentary.)
The Lakers 2nd team took it to the rack and shot the lights out from the perimeter. Bill Simmons is a media guy. It’s his job to state the facts. Anyone that watched that game should agree whole heartedly with Simmons. Even, Reggie Miller said that Griffin didn’t work on any post moves. The tallest player was Jordan Hill (in the 4th) and Blake and DJ should have posted the snot out of them; they didn’t, they lost embarrassingly.
Doc says they are in it for the long haul. The Clips have great talent, but were not playing anywhere near their capability. Simmons was right on (and I think he overreacts a lot)
at what point has bill Simons ever been wrong? Oh wait.
Jesus it was only the first game of the season.
Bill Simmons is dull. I wonder at what point ESPN will stop pretending that he will ever have anything relevant or insightful to say about anything when he is on air. His Tweeter feeds are just as boring.
LEL