In this Clippers only episode, Paul George leads the way in a gut-wrenching win against the OKC Thunder. Also, at the (19:08() mark when L.A. Ray goes across the NBA, the Chicago Bulls are on FIRE!!!!

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Other than Paul George, the Clippers have not seemed to find their consistent shooting. Reggie Jackson and others are struggling in this early part of the season.

The Lakers are 4-3, and Russell Westbrook is beginning to find his comfort zone. However, his outburst against the OKC Thunder was unwarranted in my opinion.

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"Back in Stride" - Are the Lakers back in stride with the victory over Memphis? As the great Frankie Beverly says: We like the joy, but we can't really stand the pain! Lakers fans love it when the team winning, but can they stand the pain when they lose?

The Clippers blew out the Trailblazers for their first win of the season. The ball movement looks crisp this early in the season.

BOTH TEAMS ARE LOOKING GOOD!

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Although the final score was respectable in the 115-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers pretty much got their ass kicked! They need to regroup and work extremely hard to find the chemistry needed to make this team a championship contender.

Going around the NBA, the Chicago Bulls, although not Eastern Conference Title contenders yet, are a fun team to watch. Also, why are T-Wolves fans getting upset because I asked the following question: Will the T-Wolves and Warriors regret not drafting Melo Ball?

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Even after being torched by Stephen Curry who scored 45 points (25 in the first half), the Clippers came storming back to almost pull off the impossible. Fans should be encouraged and not discouraged by the showing of this team in the opening game. They played hard; tough; physical, and they showed they will be a forced to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

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After ONE game, some Lakers fans are ready to jump off the cliff into the Pacific Ocean! NOOOOO! L.A. Ray brings them away from the cliff! Also, a take on Ben Simmons (again?), and The Greek Freak is wearing on L.A. Ray!

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The game against Golden State was the first time the Big 3 of Lebron, AD and Russ were together on the floor at the same time. There were some positives and negatives, but Lakers fans focused more on the negative side of the action.

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With the uncertainty of Kawhi Leonard's availability this season, what are the expectations for the Clippers?

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Both the Lakers and the Clippers were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in last season's playoffs. Both teams have added to their rosters to try and redeem themselves by making another run at an NBA Title.

L.A. Ray offers an analysis on both team's chances this upcoming season.

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Lakers and Clippers analysis and other NBA news throughout the summer and into the 2021-2022 season!

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LA CLIPPERS: A Ben Simmons acquisition by the Clippers would be a show of desperation and panic

There have been plenty of rumors swirling around NBA circles that Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons is seeking a trade to a California based team. If the Clippers make such a trade, it will show that the franchise is desperate to win their first ever NBA championship.

Although the Clippers team as it is now constructed is good enough to at least make it to the Western Conference Finals as they did last season, there are still question marks going into the 2021-2022 season.

Will Kawhi Leonard play at all this upcoming season, and if so, how effective will he be after recovering from a torn ACL? Can Reggie Jackson play as consistently as he did during last season’s playoffs? Will Luke Kennard’s game improve enough to justify a 4-yr, $16M per year contract?

Ben Simmons is not the player that will take the Clippers over the top

Pundits across NBA circles agree that Ben Simmons is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, is very athletic, and has a high basketball IQ. However, are those three attributes worth is current contract which has four years remaining at roughly $36M per year?

Watching Simmons in the playoffs last season with the 76ers was very painful. I have never seen an NBA player with the accolades given to Simmons who is flat out scared to shoot the ball from the perimeter. There were times where Simmons was relegated to the bench in favor of rookie Tyrese Maxey. Former Clippers coach and current coach of the 76ers Doc Rivers obviously did not have much confidence in Simmons down the stretch in pivotal playoff games.

Not only does Simmons refuse to even attempt to shoot from the outside, he is also a horrible free throw shooter for a guy who has the ball in his hands as much as he does. Last season, Simmons shot only 61.3% from the charity stripe. That simply is not going to cut it for a point guard on a team trying to win a championship.

Even if the Clippers wanted to acquire Ben Simmons, who are they going to give up to match the salary of Simmons? The first player that comes to mind is the aforementioned Luke Kennard, who again will be in the first year of his $16/yr contract. Having said that, you would have to give up much more than Kennard to acquire Simmons. Your core players of Leonard, Paul George, Reggie Jackson, and the recently acquired Eric Bledsoe are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Based on all of these facts, the Clippers should pass on Simmons and allow him to get traded to another California franchise such as the Sacramento Kings. Now is not the time for the Clippers organization to be desperate or panic. Stay the course and stay away from the Ben Simmons sweepstakes.

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Lakers and Clippers analysis and other NBA news throughout the summer and into the 2021-2022 season!

Presented by The Basketball Podcast Network & DraftKings - Use Promo Code TBPN to sign up for exclusive DraftKings offers!

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