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Clippers Versus Lakers (Summer League): 3 Things to Watch For

By Ryan Snellings

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket Washington Wizards during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket Washington Wizards during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket Washington Wizards during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket Washington Wizards during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

A Rivalry Renewed?

After dominating the Clippers for decades, the roles were reversed over the past few seasons. The Lakers were in a state of re-building and the Clippers were a constant playoff contender. Now though, the sides may be a little more even.

In case you didn’t hear, the Lakers grabbed a free agent by the name of LeBron James this summer. LeBron will make the Lakers an instant playoff favorite and likely a Western Conference Finals contender.

The Clippers, meanwhile, are in a weird state between rebuilding and trying to compete. They have brought in youth through the draft and in trades and if they were in the other conference, would likely be a guaranteed playoff team. This group won’t knock your socks off, but look to be a solid team that will give everyone trouble on every night.

Should the Clippers pull off getting Kawhi Leonard, this could start a significant rivalry between the two Los Angeles franchises.

The game today is the first time we get a taste of what an almost even rivalry could look like. It’s not much with no real big players on the Lakers side, but it’s something. Clippers fans better hope for a win so we can get our trash talking off now before The King steps onto the court.

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