The LA Clippers have ‘turned the tables’ on the LA Lakers for the first time ever, claims NBA expert

For 25 years the two teams even shared a stadium, making it even more difficult for the Clippers to stand out, playing in a stadium where Lakers banners hang from the rafters.

That changed from the start of the 2024-25 season, when the Clippers moved into their brand new purpose-built Intuit Dome arena, and it has been a big success.

LA Clippers have ‘flipped’ situation

Among those to experience the LA Clippers new arena is NBA expert and The Ringer owner Bill Simmons, who is full of admiration for what the franchise have done.

Simmons told his podcast that he believes the Clippers have now flipped the situation on the Lakers, now possessing superior facilities, which are the new benchmark of the league.

He said: “I got to give them credit, man, that is the best NBA arena, hands down, best atmosphere.

“That whole section behind the court, they start chants, they do all kinds of things. There’s more energy at those games than Laker games, like they really have flipped this, where the Lakers now look like they’re the rinky dink franchise.

“And with the Staples Center, which is just old now and doesn’t have the same vibe as this Clippers thing, this is the first time the Clippers have ever turned the tables on the Lakers and made them feel like they’re just kind of more modern, and more on it.”

LA Clippers team isn’t bad either

While Simmons admits the Lakers still have the bigger superstars, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, he is full of admiration for what the Clippers have going for them.

He commented: “They’re a really well coached, smart team”, also lauding Ty Lue’s addition of Jeff Van Gundy to the coaching staff, along with Norman Powell’s rise.

He also praised the way the Clippers have found a way to use James Harden efficiently.

Simmons said: “This is the best he’s looked in a while. I don’t think he had never has the ball too much.

“I think he’s found the right balance of, he takes over when they need him, but he doesn’t have it all the time.”

Related Posts