Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season

2. Worthy showdowns with the crosstown Clippers

Ever since the LA Clippers moved from San DIego to Los Angeles there has been the idea of a rivalry between the Lakers and Clippers. This was only heightened when they both moved into the same arena. The reality has been that their so-called rivalry was dead on arrival.

neither team has been a contender at the same time, with the Lakers dominating for decades while the Clippers wallowed in mediocrity. When the Clippers finally got their legs under them, the Lakers were fading into their most-recent period of ineptitude.

After 35 years of sharing the same town, both teams seem poised to share the spotlight.

After adding LeBron James a summer ago the Lakers are now fully stocked for a playoff run, adding star big man Anthony Davis and remaking the rotation around them.

Similarly the Clippers added reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and two-way swingman Paul George to a roster that was already postseason-worthy. The two teams are among the small handful of title favorites for next season.

Historically the Lakers have owned the Clippers when things have mattered, but it will not be an easy path to do so. These teams will face off at least four times this season, and the narratives for each as they battle for playoff positioning will be writing themselves.

The Lakers cannot own the NBA until their own their own city, and it will be particularly memorable if these two teams meet in the playoffs.