With the NBA heading into the post-Golden State superteam era of the coming season, Los Angeles is ready for their close-up. The NBA has scheduled around the L.A. Clippers-L.A. Lakers rivalry for both their opening night game, as well as the premier Christmas Day matchup. But while oddsmakers currently have the Clippers as the favorites, one Lakers legend sees a dead-heat in the NBA’s new rivalry.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar discussed the Clippers-Lakers showdown in L.A. with USA TODAY’s NBA writer Mark Medina, but he wouldn’t give either side the edge until he sees it play out on the court.
“There’s one school of thought that says it’s horrible these superteams are being formed. But that’s what general managers try to do. What is horrible that Red Auerbach was able to get Robert Parish and Kevin McHale? They ended up with a super team. It was good for the game, and it was good for Celtics fans. That will be really good here with the rivalry between the Clippers and the Lakers. It’s a perfect thing for this city. The Clippers have gained some credibility and have gotten some really good players. Things will gel for them. We’ll see how the Lakers’ moves will play out through the season. I’m sure everybody is anticipating an interesting season this year.”
Abdul-Jabbar, just like the rest of us who are interested in the NBA, will be keeping a close eye on Los Angeles from the season’s opening tip, likely until June. Although the rest of the Western Conference will likely have plenty to say about that before we get there.
The Lakers are currently in Las Vegas to have a team mini-camp ahead of Friday’s Media Day and the start of practices on Saturday in Los Angeles.
