“The Clippers and Nets are major threats to LeBron James repeating”: Skip Bayless warns the Lakers about their waning title chances with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard having career years

Skip Bayless says the Clippers and the Nets will be major threats to the Lakers due to Kyrie, Kawhi, and Durant having career years. 

After claiming the 2020 NBA championship, the Lakers decided to undergo a slight revamp in the following offseason. The new-look Lakers somehow looked more dominant on paper after acquiring Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell.

Going into the 2020-21 NBA season, the LakeShow were deemed as favorites to win it all. Fast-forward today and that may not the case any longer. The Brooklyn Nets have also ‘redecorated’ their roster, now featuring James Harden at the helm.

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Thought of as a team that would internally combust due to varying egos being in the same locker room, the Nets have gelled extremely well together, stringing together win streaks on the regular. 

The Los Angeles Clippers, though they look slightly dysfunctional and lack depth at multiple positions, are still a top-tier team in the NBA. This largely due to the fact that they have two superstars who can drop 35 on any given night and make defensive plays on the other end of the floor. 

Skip Bayless reveals statistics that are detrimental to the Lakers and LeBron James

Bayless, an avid Lakers non-believer, took to Twitter to share a stat he believes will lead to the downfall of LeBron James and the Lakers. 

LAKER FANS: Don’t look now, but the Clippers and Nets are 1-2 in the NBA in three-point and free-throw shooting. The Lakers rank 25th in both categories (major culprit: LeBron). Kawhi, PG, KD, Kyrie & JHarden all having career yrs from three. Major threats to a repeat.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 13, 2021

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The Lakers have had noticeable troubles from beyond the arc this season; both in defending 3 pointers and making them as well. As Skip said, the Lakers rank in the bottom five in 3 pointers made while the Nets and Clippers are 1 and 2, respectively. 

Giving up 3s while also shooting them at a low clip is a recipe for disaster in today’s game. It would explain why the Lakers are vulnerable to teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, who bolster a team that can roll out a 5-out lineup, all capable of shooting from downtown. 

As for the low free throw shooting numbers, it goes to show that the Lakers aren’t being aggressive enough when entering the paint or driving to the rim. Going up against guys like Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant, the Lakers will have to iron out these flaws before getting to the Playoffs. 

About the author

Samir Mehdi

Samir Mehdi is a senior strategist for the NBA division at The Sportsrush. Ever since he was 13 years old, he’s been obsessed with the game of basketball. From watching Kobe Bryant’s highlights on YouTube to now, analyzing and breaking down every single game on League Pass, Samir’s passion for the game is unwavering. He's a complete basketball junkie who not only breaks down current games but also keenly watches ones from the 60s’ and 70s’ while also reading comprehensive books on the history of the league. Samir’s life revolves around basketball and he hopes that shows in his work. Aside from work, he loves to spend time in the gym and with his friends at social gatherings.

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