The battle for basketball supremacy in the city of Los Angeles has already begun.
On the Los Angeles Clippers’ official Instagram account, the team recognized forward Montrezl Harrell for being invited onto the USA National Team, and when a Los Angeles Lakers fan commented that “AD got sumthin” for the Clippers, Lou Williams had a snarky response.
For most of the Clippers’ time in Los Angeles (they moved to L.A. from San Diego in 1984), the Lakers have been the far superior team, while the Clippers have toiled in mediocrity or even infamy.
But for the last six seasons, the Lakers have missed the playoffs in what has become by far the worst stretch in their history, while the Clippers have been in the playoffs all but one of those years.
Now, for the first time, both teams are expected to be championship contenders, and there exists the opportunity for a true rivalry.
The Lakers traded for superstar big man Anthony Davis a few weeks ago, while the Clippers traded for Paul George and added two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard as a free agent.
Both teams also possess a fine, deep cast of role players to complement their dynamic superstar duo.
