Youth in Revolt: Father Time Proves To Be Los Angeles Lakers’ Toughest Opponent

George Bernard Shaw once famously noted that the tragedy of youth is that it is wasted on the young.  And nowhere was this statement more on display than in the past two opponents faced by the Los Angeles Lakers.  Against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and the all-too-familiar Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, the Lakers got a somewhat unwelcome reminder that Father Time is not on there side.  Come to think of it, I think I saw him in the third row wearing a Kevin Durant jersey!

Now, I’m not sure if Shaw was at any of these games or not, but he sure hit the nail on the head with this one.  (FYI, for all you history buffs out there…Shaw passed away in the 1950s, so I’m guessing he had to give his seats away!)  There were times when it looked as if the Lakers belonged in a 30 and over league and not the two-time defending champs that they are.  It was like watching that all-too famous fable, “The Tortoise and The Hare,” where the Hare spends much of his time running circles around the tortoise, confident he would win.

Indeed, the Clippers and the Thunder were able to exploit the Lakers' vulnerabilities against younger, quicker, more athletic teams.  Time and time again, opposing point guards, too quick for our aged heroes, penetrated deep into the teeth of the defense.  Time and time again, they dropped floaters over the Lakers' outstretched arms or they were able to explode all the way to the front of the rim for layups. 

Time and time again younger, tougher, hungrier big men outfought and outmuscled the Lakers for rebounds, put-backs and slashing, backboard rattling dunks.  It got so nasty over this two-game stretch that referees decided to toss not one, not two, but four players in the final testy minutes against the Clippers on Sunday.  All of which ignited thanks to the effort, hustle and heart displayed by the one young Clipper who would n...

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