Blake Griffin and Kobe Bryant Treat LA Fans to Dunk Show

One player did what he always does. Another turned it back to 1996.

And no, this isn't a Kia commercial. Kobe Bryant and Blake Griffin treated Los Angeles fans to a first-quarter dunk show.

In their second meeting of the 2012-13 NBA regular season, the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers went toe-to-toe at the Staples Center. In the battle between the high-flying Clippers and aging Lakers, it was the young guns who struck first.

Out in transition, Chris Paul found Griffin for one of their signature alley-oops.

Three minutes later, the Black Mamba struck back.

Kobe picked off a CP3 pass, got out in transition and split both Paul and Willie Green. Bryant would proceed to turn back the clock for a vicious throwdown.

Fierce.

How about that?

Playing off of the fact that Kobe created a Twitter account, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News had a Tweet of the Night candidate. Unfortunately, it's unlikely Bryant will take his advice.

Isn't it?

"

Kobe's next tweet has to be a link to the video of his dunk over Paul

— Mark Medina (@MedinaLakersNBA) January 5, 2013"

Doing so would at least add to the rivalry.

J.A. Adande of ESPN broke the play down in understandable terms. That is, if you understand underhanded compliments.

Underhanded and true.

"

That Kobe dunk was so electrifying you almost forget it's his only basket so far. Felt like it counted for 3x. Clippers 19, Lakers 13.

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) January 5, 2013"

Regardless of which side you take in this rivalry, it's great to see both sides coming out with passion and energy.

Whether it's the young legs rising up in transition or the old-timers stepping up for a finish of their own, the Battle of Los Angeles is always a memorable one. The All-Stars are making sure of that on January 4, 2013.

More to come as this game goes on.