Even I must admit Clippers just got a little scary. Not contenders, but not a bubble team either. I still don't think they can hold it together long term though. I see a big ticket price increase in their future.
They should just move the clippers to anaheim and them and the angels can dominate the lakers and dodgers.
Lakers would be stuck with an aging Kobe and Bynum and Gasol. Lakers should tank this year, so they cna get the 1st pick to pair up with Kobe. Wouldn't put it past Stern.
What the hell was the Lakers' plan anyway? They trade Odom for no one. They have to trade Gasol and Bynum to get Howard (barring a major season by Bynum) If the CP3 trade went, they'd have no PF. Dwight is the best big man in the league, but he's no Hakeem. You can't just surrond him with perimeter players and have him do the dirty work down low (the Magic proved this).
good good, let the butthurt flow through you. Lakers was about to give up two best big men for Chris Paul
Totally agree. I find it hilarious folks are acting like the Lakers won't be able to fill up Staples. All this means is that more stars than before will start showing up to Clips games as well as fans that stayed away. The Lakers as long as #24 is still there, will still fill up staples with regular fans and the hollywood stars.
You really think the Lakers have more bandwagon fans than the Heat? Wow. Considering the Lakers illustrious history, they've built enough cache with fans that I'm pretty sure their fans will still stay on board regardless of what the Clips do.
I think they will make the WCF, but that's there ceiling. They won't get to the Finals unless Dwight's traded there for Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton.
Exactly. As long as Kobe is on that team the seats will be filled. Now if Kobe was traded I could see people thinking the bandwagon fans would jump. But Chris Paul being traded to the Clippers will not draw fans away from the Lakers.
I don't even think they'll make the WCF but I still won't pan them. I think a first round exit may be on the cards(obviously depending on the opponent) but I don't see them advancing any further than they did last season.
That's the worst part of it for me. The fact that it's Donald Sterling's team. I will laugh a bit when the season starts and fans around the country realize that Vinny Del Negro is still the coach of the Clippers.
I'm actually rooting for the Lakers to be better than the Clippers. This is exactly what the NBA (Stern) did not wanted and I hope he fails miserably.
Who said the Lakers weren't making the playoffs this year? I never even alluded to that. You said it yourself that people would be "delusional" to think that the Clippers could have more fans than the Lakers. I just merely stated that it is, in fact, a possibility. Have you heard of Blake Griffin? That 6'10'' high flying beast? He's on the rise and definitely has drawn A LOT of fans to the arena. Now they have arguably the best PG in the league in Paul. Add in a newly signed Deandre Jordan and Chauncey Billups and they're a pretty solid 4. Lots of people would rather watch that than Kobe (slightly on the decline), Gasol, and Bynum. Not saying it will happen but definitely isn't extreme to say that the Clippers might be more popular than the Lakers this season. Plus they both play in LA so the star factor is there for both teams. People will pay to watch entertaining basketball, and even more so if they are a contending team this season. So yeah, doesn't seem as crazy as you think.
Ok, I know I'm wrong but I was exaggerating to prove a point. It's not dumb to think that the Clippers won't be able to outdraw the Lakers this season. Just look at the moves and Blake is on the rise. Not saying a lot of Lakers fans will ditch them for the Clippers but they both play in LA and it's very much possible. I'm starting to think people have problems with reading comprehension around here
