What the Lakers-Clippers tussle says about the “rivalry”

Metta World Peace and Blake Griffin fight for the ball/espn.go.com

by Braedan Ritter



Last Wednesday’s Clippers-Lakers match-up was different than most recent games between those two teams. It was fiery; it was like a playoff game. And most importantly it was close.

The relationship between these teams has changed and they don’t like each other. Metta World Peace and Blake Griffin fought for a loose ball. Mo Williams was called for a flagrant foul on Andrew Goudelock. Josh McRoberts and Reggie Evans got into it and both received technicals. Then McRoberts pushed Evans again and got ejected. Pau Gasol and Chris Paul had some choice words for each other. Then Gasol tried to touch Paul’s hair, which apparently Paul doesn’t appreciate. And those two guys were almost teammates.

Even though the Lakers ended up winning the game 96-91, it says a lot about where this match-up is going. With the season series tied at one game apiece, and with only one game left to play in April, this is a rivalry.
The Clips aren’t a laughing stock anymore, even though Donald Sterling tried really hard to keep them down. The Lakers now have to be scared of the “other L.A. team.” Kobe’s not scared, because as we have seen, Kobe’s not scared of anything. But the Lakers wouldn’t have gone after the Clippers if they weren’t a little bit scared.

The Lakers used to look over their shoulder and see a mess of a team. Now they look back and see a young and extremely talented team. Well actually the Lakers aren’t looking back at the Clippers in the standings, it’s the other way around, with the Clips leading the Pacific division.

This was the best thing for the Clippers. It shows they are relevant. It shows they are on the same level as the Lakers. Pau Gasol would not have gotten in the face of Sam Cassell like he got in the face of Chris Paul.
And really, the Clippers may be in better shape. The Lakers are looking at signing Gilbert Arenas…that’s pretty desperate.

That’s not to say the Clips will beat the Lakers in the playoffs if they meet, there is still too much time and too many questions. But the Lakers aren’t the only show in Los Angeles anymore. Kobe and company better get used to sharing the stage.