USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) in the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) in the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The 2019-20 NBA season presented plenty of challenges for the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only did they have to go through the rigorous Orlando Bubble, but also deal with their noisy neighbors.
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Nobody ever gave any heed to the Clippers. However, all of it changed when they secured the signature of superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the 2019 offseason. And all of a sudden, analysts anointed them as the favorites to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 13, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley (10) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
A lot of chatter also came from the Clippers’ camp itself which annoyed the Lakers, according to Jared Dudley. In his recent 41-page book, Inside the NBA Bubble, he made a striking revelation.
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“We hear some of those guys talking about how they’re the team to beat in LA. It’s fine if Kawhi says stuff like that. He’s defending a championship. We don’t trip if someone like Patrick Beverley is talking trash; that’s how he feeds his family. We get it. We respect the hustle,” said Dudley.
“But we think it’s disrespectful for Paul George, who hasn’t won, to put himself on the level of Bron and AD. This motivates us. “
Quite a seething remark from the Lakers vet! Paul George came under heavy criticism after his struggle in the Bubble. He became the scapegoat for their failure to hold on to a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Kawhi Leonard billboards angered the Lakers organization
However, PG 13 wasn’t the only one who fueled the fire in the Lakers players’ belly. It was also their leader, Kawhi Leonard. Multiple Clippers billboard which made exuberant claims such as ‘LA was their city’ angered everyone associated with the ‘Purple and Gold’.
“We don’t talk to people on other teams. As far as we’re concerned, our squad is the only squad. We know that there are some real feelings regarding the Clippers. It’s more than just battle-for-LA stuff, though that’s part of it,” said the 35-year-old guard.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hugs forward Jared Dudley (10) after win over the Miami Heat after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
“Every day when we were on the outside, we were all driving past billboards with Kawhi Leonard wearing a crown. In our city. We didn’t like that.”
In the end, they had the bragging rights. Even some laughs at the expense of the beleaguered Clippers when they botched it in the Orlando. Now that Dudley has made these explosive claims, it will tasty to see these two compete in a potential Conference Finals. If the Clippers don’t flatter to deceive once again, that is.
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