Clippers vs Lakers: Who has the better starting 5?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers fails to get the ball past half court against Austin Reaves #15 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers fails to get the ball past half court against Austin Reaves #15 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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Although both the LA Lakers and LA Clippers have rarely seen eye to eye, but they’ll have the same agenda once the 2022-23 NBA season rolls by. After suffering through miserable seasons, revenge and championship glory will push both LA squads in the ensuing months.

Sure, winning it all is important but bragging rights in the city of LA ranks high on their respective lists as well. For the better part of the past 10 years, the Clippers have become a respectable bunch. No longer are they trotting out tenuous lineups, filled with no-hoppers in an attempt to collect more ping pong balls at the end of the year.

With a healthy Kawhi Leonard standing beside his All-Star teammate Paul George, have the Clippers officially leapfrogged the Lakers as the team to beat? With little changes expected with either team’s starting lineup, we’ve taken a deep dive into which squad has the advantage when the ball gets rolling in the first game of the year.

Both starting fives feature a ton of star power.

Countless All-Star selections, numerous NBA titles, and several enshrinements into the Hall of Fame are expected when it’s all said and done. Still, superlatives aside, which LA team has the better starting lineup? Let’s dive into it