One of the biggest negatives of being a handicapper that sells plays online is the awful hours. You either have to stay up ungodly hours until everything is over and work off the overnight lines or wake up ungodly early to go through everything before going through the time consuming process of writing analysis for the plays and posting.

 

It’s especially difficult for the Vegas and West Coast handicappers because of the three hour time difference. Vegas is great when the Blazers and Suns go double-overtime and still have time to eat and play table games while it’s 3:00 AM in New York. When you have to wake up at 3:30 AM to get your plays out before the Eastern Time Zone leaves for work, quite frankly ….. it sucks.

 

I’m sure others watch TV or listen to music while they work. I’m a radio sports talk junkie and we have three different overnight offerings here in Sin City. I was listening to Ben Maller on Fox and he made and interesting point about team chemistry. Maller is LA based and compared and contrasted the starting lineups of the Clippers and Lakers.

 

The Lakers are 21-5 and arguably tons the best in an ultra-competitive Western Conference. The Clippers have won four of five to improve their record to 8-19. Maller argues that at four of the five positions in the starting lineup, the Clippers have the edge.

 

Point Guard: Baron Davis vs. Derek Fisher. The Baron is off to a slow start in his new environs but still rocks a line of 18.1, 3.4, 8.1 while D Fish sports 11.2, 2.6, 3.1. IMO , there is very little difference defensively. Edge Clippers.

 

Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon vs. Kobe Bryant: Hardly worth the discussion. Gordon (9.1 ppg) is quickly improving as his minutes increase. Kobe (25.9, 5.4, 4.2 despite less minutes than he’s played in any year since his rookie year) will go down as one of the three greatest of all time. Edge Lakers.

 

Small Forward: Al Thornton vs. Luke Walton: Thornton (17.1, 4.8) is one of the bright young stars in the league. He’s long and athletic with a ton of up side. Luke (2.9, 1.8) is a veteran journeyman role player at best. Court smart limited streak shooter. Edge Clippers.

 

Power Forward: Zach Randolph vs. Pao Gasol: Randolph (22.1, 11.7) has been a beat since coming over from the Knicks. Supposedly a cancer in the locker room, he hasn’t done much wrong here and can even step out and shoot the three. Gasol is quality (17.5, 9.3) but very soft on defense and on the boards and at the mercy of more physical big men. Edge Clippers.

 

Center: Marcus Camby vs. Andrew Bynum: Camby (11.2, 12.3) is on the backside of his career but still a force on the glass. Multiple time Defensive Player of the Year. Bynum (12.3, 8.6) has unlimited potential and only 21 but has already experienced knee problems and is always a question mark from a conditioning aspect. Bynum is NEVER on the floor with the game on the line. Edge Clippers.

Certainly the bench is hugely important in the overall success of a team. Sure Randolph has only been in town a handful of games and Camby is just returning to form after an early injury. Lakers 21-5. Clippers 8-19 despite arguably enjoying an edge at four of five starting positions. An interesting take !!!