USA TODAY International Edition
Clippers claim game, but not LA fan base
Yes, it’s a rivalry, but Lakers own the town.
LOS ANGELES – The night started with the Lakers showing again that they own this city. Through the next 21⁄ 2 hours, though, Los Angeles eventually and temporarily became a Clippers town.
The Clippers finished with a 112- 102 victory over the Lakers on Tuesday in both teams’ season opener. Even if both teams downplayed the game itself, the Clippers noticed how they turned those boos to cheers.
“Lakers fans were very loud early. Then with our guys, I thought our fans took over from that point,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “I love it. I thought it was great.”
Even in a designated road game against the Clippers, the Lakers will often play in a home atmosphere. Even if the Clippers cover up the Lakers’ banners at their home games, they cannot ever erase the Lakers’ championship history. And even if two homegrown L. A. natives in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George chose the Clippers over the Lakers, the Clippers will never be able to convert the vast majority of fans here that still wear purple and gold jerseys.
As demonstrated on opening night, however, the Lakers and Clippers still have enough to make this an intracity rivalry. The Clippers cannot ever compete for the Lakers’ fan base. They can compete this season, however, for the NBA championship.
“Tonight was awesome!!” yelled Clippers owner Steve Ballmer as he exited Staples Center.
The night did not begin that way. A Lakers fan yelled out “Go Lakers” in the middle of the national anthem in a building packed with Clippers fans. When Leonard addressed what should have been an arena full of Clippers fans, he heard more boos than cheers. While Leonard heard those same jeers at the free throw line, LeBron James fielded “M- V- P” chants when he went to the charity stripe.
“I just heard a loud noise. So I just tried to be as loud as I can,” Leonard said. “I wasn’t sure if the Clippers fans were being loud. Or if it were Lakers fans. I didn’t pay attention to it too much. I was trying to let the fans know the appreciation we have for them coming out tonight.”
Leonard also let the fans know something else. He outlined the Clippers’ culture that wound up determining the outcome. Said Leonard: “We’re going to work hard every night. Let’s get it going.”
Boy, did the Clippers get things going. After missing his first two shots and committing two turnovers, Leonard finished with 30 points. With George sidelined because of offseason surgery on his left shoulder, Lou Williams cemented himself as the team’s co- star with 17 points. The Clippers’ bench outscored the Lakers’ 60- 19.
Inevitably, Anthony Davis ( 25) and LeBron James ( 18) got their numbers. So did Danny Green ( 18).
“It was positioned like a prizefight,” Rivers said. “They hit us with a punch to start. We just kept moving forward.”
Both teams recognized the season opener did not mean much.
First, the Clippers and Lakers have not established their identity. Rivers has estimated George will miss the season’s first 10 games after having surgery on his left shoulder. Rivers contended that Leonard and Williams showed only 10% of their potential.
Meanwhile, Lakers coach Frank Vogel maintained he will still tinker with a starting lineup that features James, Davis, Green, Avery Bradley and JaVale McGee. The Lakers have not had Kyle Kuzma in training camp since he injured his left foot with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup. They also sat veteran guard Rajon Rondo because of calf soreness.
“I disagree on how big of a test it was. It was the first game,” James said. “Obviously, the NBA is back and everybody is trying to have the narrative of a rivalry game. It’s a huge test. Both teams are not where they want to be. We have a lot of room to improve. We have a new group coming together. We have a new coaching staff. We have a new system. It’s not a rivalry.”
The atmosphere suggested it was, though.
The Clippers’ pregame video featured catch phrases that took subtle shots at the Lakers. The phrases? The Clippers preached “grit over glam.” They believed in “streetlights over spotlights.” They emphasized “squad over self.” That does not exactly match the Lakers’ persona, which thrives on superstar talent and Hollywood drama.
Both coaches also have engaged in playful trash talking. Rivers recently questioned the Lakers for counting five of the NBA championships they won in Minnesota before relocating to L. A. Rivers, who also coached the Celtics and split two Finals series against the Lakers, said in a half- serious, half- joking tone that he “would like them to take the 2010 banner down.” After coaching George with the Pacers, Vogel admitted he initiated trash talk with George after he joined the Clippers. Vogel added, “I always wish Paul nothing but the best, but against the Lakers, I hope he loses all the time.”
The banter played elsewhere. The Clippers’ bench cheered when they made good on Rivers’ bet by denying Davis a lob. Green routinely stared down the Clippers’ bench anytime he made a 3. Clippers forward Moe Harkless did the same thing to the Lakers’ bench when he converted from deep.
Nearly eight months after the Lakers traded Ivica Zubac to the Clippers for Mike Muscala, Zubac played as if he wanted the Lakers to regret the decision.
“I love playing against my former team. You always feel like you have something to prove because they traded you,” said Zubac, who had eight points on 4 of 4 shooting. “I love playing against the Lakers. The fans get into it. It’s a great feeling. That’s why we play basketball.”
And that is why Harkless likened the season opener “to a playoff game.”
It offered a window into what the atmosphere will be like anytime the Lakers and Clippers play each other. They will meet again on Christmas Day in what will be considered a Lakers home game.
Then, Rivers hopes Clippers fans will take over the arena the same way the Lakers fans initially did for the season opener. That seems unrealistic for the Clippers’ fan base to grow to that level. It does not seem unrealistic, though, for the Clippers and Lakers to compete for the better on- court product.
“If I was a fan,” Williams said, “I would’ve loved to watch this game.”