VIDEO: LeBron James is Right to Manage Expectations by Denying Lakers vs Clippers is a Rivalry
The opening night showdown between the Lakers and Clippers didn't disappoint in the slightest. That is, unless you're a Laker fan. The Clips took a 112-102 victory in the first game of the reborn inner-city rival, and there were a fair amount of overreactions and hot takes in the aftermath, as expected. But LeBron James is making sure to keep his team level-headed by downplaying the significance of this one game.
Lakers’ LeBron James on opening loss to Clippers: “It’s the first game. The NBA is back so everyone wants to have the narrative of a rivalry game and a huge test. Both teams are not who they want to be. ... It’s not a rivalry.” pic.twitter.com/POjRgOXNMT
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 23, 2019
James points to much of the buildup for this game coming from that fact that the NBA has returned, so fans and the media used this first matchup to heighten the rivalry narrative. He later claims that there isn't a rivalry with the Clippers.
Some players don't seem to feel that way though.
Patrick Beverley to ESPN First Take’s Max Kellerman in the locker room after #Clippers-#Lakers - “Give the fans the honest truth tomorrow. I don’t wanna see no Lakers dunks [and this and that]. Give the fans the honest truth.”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 23, 2019
It's pretty absurd for LeBron to deny any rivalry with these two teams, but it makes sense why he's doing it. This Lakers have a ton of new players and even a new coaching staff. They need to focus on finding that chemistry and developing an identity instead of worrying about one October game, no matter who the opponent is.
The media circus that comes with playing alongside LeBron James --particularly in Los Angeles-- is already a lot to handle. Adding in the narrative of an intense rivalry that may or may not exist (it totally does) will just serve to add pressure to a team that's still looking to gel.