The Los Angeles Clippers have long tried to get out of the Lakers' shadow. They have played in the same building since the 2000 season and are the second team in that famous city in California. They have long fought for their place in the spotlight.
The problem is the Clippers did not really deserve it until Chris Paul arrived two years ago and turned the Clippers from NBA joke franchise to NBA Playoff contender. Even though they have won just one playoff series in two seasons with Paul, the Clippers are considered an NBA contender this year with Doc Rivers' addition to the bench.
Still, it is hard to forget the Lakers are the franchise they are when you walk into Staples Center. What with the Magic Johnson, Chick Hearn and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar statues outside and those pesky Lakers banners reminding you of how awesome the team's history is all the time.
The Clippers have had enough of it. This is their city now, they are clearly the best team. And they want their fans to focus on that.
This year, the Clippers are covering up the Lakers' banners for their home games as J.A. Adande snagged this photo Friday night:
Doc Rivers didn't like playing beneath all that Laker history, so Clippers are blocking the banners for their games pic.twitter.com/aizA1eXSrI
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) October 19, 2013
To some, this is an "about time" move for the Clippers as they try to distinguish themselves as a winning franchise. To others, this is something small and inconsequential to winning.
Reportedly it was Doc Rivers who asked for this unprecedented move from the Clippers franchise. It is part of a large-scale organizational culture change that is going on in those other hallways at Staples Center.
The Clippers are saying they are here to contend for a championship and they want to hang their own banners there now.
