Los Angeles Clippers: Lakers’ Banners To Be Covered During Home Games

The Los Angeles Clippers are in the odd and historically unfortunate situation of sharing an arena with the storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise. With every home game the Clippers play in Staples Center, an essence of the incredible history of the Los Angeles Lakers hangs above in the rafters and reminds everyone just who runs L.A. and quite frankly, it’s a bit awkward.  Well, Doc Rivers just changed all of that. Now during all Clippers home games, posters, covering all of the Lakers championship banners and retired jerseys, will surround the rafters of Staples Center. The posters show — from left to right — Jamal Crawford, Blake Griffin, J.J. Redick, DeAndre Jordan, Jared Dudley, Chris Paul and Matt Barnes in their home white jerseys.

"“Doc Rivers has done a little bit of remodeling, redecorating in Staples Center,” Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler said. “At the end of the court down to our left, these Clippers banners have been put up. I guess the big story in the media tomorrow will be that they covered the Lakers championship banners. In fact, what Doc wanted most of all was to have a Clipper feeling to this building during Clippers games and he’s certainly accomplished that now. … This building, all the way around, all 360 degrees now, it’s clearly a Los Angeles Clippers home court when you walk in the building.”"

Honestly, it’s about time. The change certainly removes the pro-Laker essence within Staples Center and gives the Clippers more of a home court feel, which they more than deserve. In addition, it will definitely add to the hometown rivalry (at least for the fans) and the battles of who owns L.A. This is just another addition to the new style Doc Rivers brings to the Clippers: a winning one. He claims that Staples Center belongs to the Clippers just as much as it does to the Lakers and with the Clippers likely to have a far better season, it may actually belong more to the Clippers. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with what the Clippers are doing. They’ve got a new coach, the best roster they’ve ever had and a legitimate chance to make a run at a championship. A team that good shouldn’t have to feel like guests at their own home games. And if it stirs up a little excitement among L.A. fans, all the better.

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