Lou Williams views Lakers as Hollywood, Clips as hood

In most instances, the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers divides fanbases. Nonetheless, in the case of Lou Williams, he’s universally loved and embraced by both.

Having played six total seasons in LA, two wearing the purple and gold and four donning the Clippers’ white, red, and blue uniforms, Williams treated the city of Los Angeles to nightly shows. The multiple-time Sixth Man of the Year winner initially came to the city of angels in 2015. His role was a simple one, check into a ball game and get buckets, something he would do with relative ease. Still, while Williams did go on to average 16.8 points per game, the Lakers failed to win many games and were nonplayoff threats in his two seasons there.

His time as a Clipper, on the other hand, spanned four seasons, with Williams playing a major contributing role in their turnaround and overall image. Constantly castigated and treated flippantly, Williams dominated as a Clipper, averaging 19.1 points per game in four seasons.

Although originally left out of any and every postseason conversation, during Williams’ tenure, the Clippers were consistent playoff participants. But, despite their recent run of success, considering the numerous championship banners that the Lakers have lifted into the rafters, Williams admits that unless the Clippers do something drastic to shift the championship tide, LA will always view the Lakers in a more favorable light.

“The Lakers is the Lakers,” said Williams on an episode of the Knuckleheads podcast. “The Clippers, until they win about 20 championships, they’re going to be looked at as the little brother.”

Lakers and Clippers represent two different parts of the city, according to Williams

Currently, with the Lakers presenting LA with 17 Larry O’Brien trophies, the Clippers have a ton of catching up to do. At the moment, LA’s proverbial stepchild has yet to make an NBA Finals, let alone win a title.

Be that as it may, the Clippers have emerged as one of a handful of frontrunners for next season’s title. Having won 42 games this past season, with a fully fit Kawhi Leonard, a refortified bench with the additions of Norman Powell and Robert Covington, as well as a Paul George who is no longer nursing the lingering effects of a damaged right elbow, Charles Barkley has pegged them as the leader in the championship clubhouse.

Championship or not, Williams is unwilling to cede that LA will become a Clipper town. However, the glitz and glam of Hollywood that are associated with movie stars, lavish houses, and high-priced courtside seats will forever represent the Lakers in Williams opinion. On the other side of the spectrum, the blue-collar, hard-working, undervalued, and slums of LA will always be connected with the Clippers.

“LA got different cultures, so it’s plenty of room for both teams,” continued Williams. “It’s people that love – The Clippers is the hood. That’s what we embraced about it. [Lakers] is Hollywood, we down the street. And we was cool with that.”