The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers will be adversaries until the end of time, that’s just the way it will always be.
So far, the Lakers have always been the fan-favorite team in LA and throughout most of the league too.
But things are closer than they used to be and the Clippers became a legitimately strong team over the last few years.
If you’re comparing the teams this year, the record isn’t even close.
Kawhi Leonard has played 0 games.
Paul George has played 29 games.
The Clippers duo played 0 games together.LeBron James has played 56 games.
Anthony Davis has played 40 games.
Russell Westbrook has played 78 games.
The Lakers trio played 21 games together.— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 6, 2022
As pointed out by Tomer Azarly, Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers has played zero games this year.
Meanwhile, Paul George has played 29 but never took to the floor alongside Leonard.
At the same time, LeBron James of the Lakers has played 56 games, Anthony Davis played 40, and Russell Westbrook played 78.
The Lakers trio participated in 21 games together.
Yet, in the end, the Lakers are eliminated from playoff contention while the Clippers are eighth-seed and going to the playoffs with a 39-40 record.
Clippers Town?
There is no doubt that the Clippers were better than the Lakers this year, even though they lost their biggest star and had their second-biggest for only 29 games.
This shows two things: how much better the Clippers have become and how bad the Lakers currently are.
But the truth is that this likely won’t sway most fans living in LA.
The people of Los Angeles live and breathe the Lakers and even though the Clippers’ fanbase has grown, it still pales in comparison.
This should serve as inspiration for the Lakers: they need to use their loyal fans as a reason to rebuild, try harder, and do everything they can to ensure a season like this never happens again.
Meanwhile, the Clippers should also use the loyalty of LA as inspiration as they enter the postseason.
They are not just fighting to win, they are fighting to cement themselves as the best team in Los Angeles.
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