Lakers vs. Clippers: A Prelude to a Rivalry by Jeff Little

 

The NBA season is a week away. There will be five games in the 2012-2013 hallway series between L.A.’s two pro basketball teams and co-tenants of the Staples Center, starting with the preseason run on October 24, 2012. The official start to the Battle of Los Angeles happens on November 2, 2012 when the Lakers and the Clippers start their regular seasons.

A true rivalry invokes intense competition. The pressure of said competition is felt by players, coaches, management and both fan bases. Side by side comparisons of everything regarding the franchises — their owners, players, the players’ legacy, the teams’ history, accolades, regular and post-season appearances, successes and championships — are required.

It is premature to say that the Lakers and Clippers have a bona fide rivalry, but it is safe to say that they do not like each other. This will provide the city of Los Angeles with entertaining basketball games.

The Battle of Los Angeles will play out in four sold out appearances at the Staples Center, the home of (by stature and number of championships) the Lakers, Clippers (both NBA) and Kings (NHL). But the city itself is not prepared for the level of electricity and intensity that the basketball games — played at such a high level — will create. Despite the fact that Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant will not play in the October 24, 2012 preseason game, basketball fans everywhere will get a glimpse of the excitement that both teams will bring to the area this season.

This off-season, the Lakers garnered the majority of the headlines by landing Center Dwight Howard in a four-team trade with the Orlando Magic as well as by adding point guard and two-time league MVP Steve Nash. The moves allow the Lakers to roll out a starting five resembling the Avengers. Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard combined to average 86.1 points per game. The keys to a successful season for the Lakers will be team chemistry, transition defense, bench scoring and outside shooting.

The Clippers were a grand total of one game behind the Lakers last year in the Pacific Division and added Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford, Willie Green, Grant Hill, Matt Barnes, Ronny Turiaf and Ryan Hollins to their roster, making them one of the deepest teams in the league. The new additions provide them with a good mix of youth and experience as well as the depth and versatility to challenge for the Pacific Division title.

The big question for the Clippers would be: can this team break free from their recent history and become one of the top four teams in the Western Conference? The keys to a successful season for them will be improved free-throw shooting by power forward Blake Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan; defending the three-point shot and playing defense without fouling.

The four competitive regular-season games between the Lakers and Clippers will give NBA fans worldwide something to talk about. If both teams can stay healthy, they will meet in the second round of the NBA Playoffs and the city of Los Angeles will have a real Battle of Los Angeles… Playoff Edition.