In recent years, the rivalry between the Lakers and Clippers has risen as the Clippers have become one of the best teams in the Western Conference, while the Lakers have struggled in recent years. With the teams set to meet for the first time this season, much of the discussion has centered around the Clippers taking over the city of Los Angeles.
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Byron Scott has been part of the Lakers family for around 30 years, and according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, he doesn’t think this is a rivalry just yet:
Is LA still a Lakers town? Or have Clippers made inroads? "When they get about 13 banners, then it will be a rivalry," Byron Scott said
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 31, 2014
Not only does Scott downplay the rivalry, he also says that Los Angeles will always be a Lakers town via Bresnahan:
More Byron: Los Angeles will "always be purple and gold." Clippers have "a lot" of catching up to do.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 31, 2014
Strong words to be sure from Scott, but ones that should be expected. The Clippers are the talk of the town right now and it is deserved, as most experts place them with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder as the best in the Western Conference this season.
But the Lakers history is so rich, and extends so far back, that it’s tough to say that this is a rivalry after only a couple of years of success for the Clippers.
The Clippers are on the rise, but they still have yet to make a Conference Finals trip. Like Scott says, some banners are necessary for a rivalry. Even a couple of playoff meetings would up the stakes more. But until then, Scott may be right about the state of the ‘rivalry’ in Los Angeles.
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