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LA Clippers Show No Fear Prior to Battle of LA

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: The LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) (EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: The LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) (EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white)

The LA Clippers have always been the “other team”, but prior to Monday night’s matchup, they are exuding confidence and show no fear of the Lakers.

The LA Clippers and Lakers rivalry is one of the most unique in sports. The two share an arena (the only teams in the NBA to do so) and have extremely different histories from one another. While the Lakers are remembered as one of the most successful and storied franchises in sports, the Clippers are thought of as one of the most pathetic.

In recent years, that dynamic has changed somewhat. The aging and eventual retirement of Kobe Bryant coupled with the rise of Lob City and change in ownership for the Clippers has subverted the two franchises’ positions. This summer, when the Lakers finally landed a new superstar in LeBron James, many thought it was finally time that things went back to normal with the Lakers sitting on top.

It wasn’t.

Surprising to many, the star-less Clippers came running out of the gate and really didn’t look back. The Lakers, with their combination of youthful talent and veteran experience, also looked solid, but a Christmas Day injury to James completely derailed them. The King missed 18 games and the Lakers quickly fell out of the playoff picture. Even upon his return, the team has gone 4-7, including an embarrassing loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Both entered the trade deadline looking to make big moves, but only the Clippers were able to pull one off. In a move seen by many to indicate giving up on the season, the Clips traded away one of their best players in Tobias Harris for a rookie (Landry Shamet), Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala (who was flipped to the Lakers for Ivica Zubac) and some draft picks. Despite everyone thinking they were throwing in the towel, the Clips just kept winning.

The Lakers, seemingly in turmoil after trade rumor after trade rumor, did not.

The Battle of LA

With the two meeting tonight for the third time, a lot is on the line outside of being ahead in the season series. For the Lakers, this game could determine if they make the playoffs or not. Sitting at 30-33, FiveThirtyEight currently only gives them an 8% chance at making the postseason. A loss tonight hurts those already almost insurmountable odds.

Meanwhile, for the Clippers, every single game matters as they continue to jockey for seeding. The 6th seed isn’t completely out of reach and while they’ll need the Jazz to drop some easy ones, the Clips need to take care of business on their end. Winning tonight keeps them solely in the 7th seed, just ahead of the Spurs.

After yesterday’s blowout of the New York Knicks, the team turned their eyes to the Lakers. A couple of players already had something to say.

This seemed like a veiled shot at the difference between how the two locker rooms’ personalities (although Zubac claimed it wasn’t). The Clippers do look locked in and aware of what it will take out of them to make the postseason and make some noise. The Lakers have instead dominated the media with reports of unhappiness and rumors of coaching changes coming. Zubac is in the unique position of playing for both clubs this season and could be in for a big one tonight after being dumped by the Lakers.

Other Clippers players, like Patrick Beverley, aren’t being as cautious with their feelings about the current Los Angeles Situation.

Beverley has been the vocal leader of the team and did say last summer that the LA Clippers would be the best team in Los Angeles this season. Yes, the physical makeup of the team has changed since then, but the heart has not.

These comments might fuel the Lakers, who already have their backs against the wall. It is very possible that they come out tonight and punch the Clippers in the mouth, especially if a “Playoff Mode” LeBron James does actually show up tonight. Who knows?

Regardless of what happens, tonight’s battle for LA is just a microcosm of what is to come. Both teams look to be big players in free agency and each could land a superstar. Maybe we will finally get both LA teams on even footing for once. But that’s the future.

For tonight, all that matters is the ten men on the court. The Clippers need to come out with the same attitude that their quotes show. If they do, perhaps the mainstream media will finally deem them the “Kings of LA”, even if it is just for this season. Clippers fans certainly have.

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