RealGM

LOS ANGELES -- One of the more fascinating aspects of covering both the Lakers and the Clippers is hearing and seeing the same quips from Lakers fans whenever I write about the Clippers. They come at me in waves on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, without fail, whenever I post anything about the Clippers.

So before the Lakers and Clippers play Friday, I thought I’d tackle the things Lakers fans love pointing out to Clippers fans the most.

Where are the Clippers’ banners?

Whenever the Clippers have a big win, Lakers fans will always respond with some variation of: “That’s cute. How many championships have you won? How many banners do you have? Call us when you get 16.” I heard it enough while covering the Clippers’ 17-game winning streak to realize that’s the go-to line for Lakers fans if their team is struggling or they feel Clippers fans are getting too full of themselves.

But what about this season and this year’s teams? I have yet to meet a Clippers fan who thinks the Clippers are a more storied franchise than the Lakers. If Clippers fans cared about history, I’m sure they would have hopped on the Lakers’ bandwagon long ago, embraced the Minneapolis Lakers’ titles as their own and bought a Jerry West throwback jersey.

The problem with the banners argument is that it has nothing to do with the here and now. It would be like a Boston fan clinging to 16 banners while the Celtics languished in mediocrity for nearly 20 years before winning another title. The Lakers last won a title in 2010, and only three players are left from that team. In fact, right now more Clippers players (four) own rings than Lakers players (three).

RiversideClips wrote:I have had season tickets for the Clips since 2003, I go to about 25 games per year (at least) and I/we travel from Riverside. My 18 year old has been throwing jokes on how he jumped on the Clipper Bandwagon about 400 loses & 8 years too early (Laker fans don't get that joke.) A lot of fans at Staples look familiar & I am happy they are still fans; the band wagoners help to pay the contracts of players, so I am ok with that.
What i have a problem with, is back in the day when we were only winning about 22 games a year you could get upgraded pretty easily. Now w/ all the White Collars buying the nice 100 level seats there is little chance of an upgrade let alone a call from your Sales Rep. I do LOVE the new PAY for seat upgrades at game time. That is a small sacrifice to see such an exciting and happy team.
Real Clips fans know who is a fan & who is a band wagoner; band wagoner= any one who booed Kaman when he came back w/ Dallas. I love your column Arash at the end of each Clipper game. I can't wait until you invite me & my family(4 of us) down to the Press area for a game. So we don't have the banners or the statues, we do have the energy of Clipper Nation fueling our Team!!

RiversideClips wrote:azn17 what game & how many tickets are you looking for?

RiversideClips wrote:that stopped about 2 -3 years ago? that was a Clipper right of passage, even though I have always been partial to Sec. 302 Row #1

Neddy wrote: i actually know more professionals with successful careers in clipper fanbase than i do with the other.

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