Anthony Davis on Lakers vs. Clippers: 'It's Going to Be Bigger Than a Rivalry'

While Anthony Davis would like to win bragging rights in the battle for Los Angeles this NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers star is setting his sights higher.

In an interview with the Red Bulletin's Peter Flax, Davis discussed how beating the Los Angeles Clippers isn't enough to qualify as a success:

"I'm not sure what the Clippers are thinking. But I know what the Lakers are thinking—and that's to play basketball. Obviously, they have a great team, but we know that for us it's going to be bigger than a rivalry. You know, winning a rivalry game doesn't win the championship. So for us the goal is to win a championship this year."

He stopped short of explicitly making an NBA championship the Lakers' goal in 2019-20 but acknowledged he's aiming to contend for a title.

"We haven't talked about it yet, but I don't think it needs to be said," Davis said. "I think that any time that you're on, your goal is always to win a championship. If it's not, I don't understand why you're playing."

According to the Caesars Palace sportsbook, the Clippers are +450 to be NBA champions and actually trail the Lakers (+300), which is an inverse of the common perception of where things stand. 

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey ranked the Clippers first and the Lakers fourth in his power rankings following the biggest moves of free agency in July.

It's certainly easy to get wrapped up in the head-to-head battle between these teams.

Historically, the Clippers and Lakers' championship windows have never overlapped. The Clippers were moribund for so long, and when they took off during the Lob City era, the Lakers were gradually declining as Kobe Bryant hit the twilight of his career.

Davis is smart to avoid ascribing an added level of importance to this rivalry for the moment.

Aside from acquiring him from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers did little to upgrade their roster. Danny Green will help on the wing, and they signed Dwight Howard to replace DeMarcus Cousins, who will likely miss the entire season.

But general manager Rob Pelinka basically went all-in to sign Paul George, a plan that unraveled when George opted for the Clippers. 

As a result, the Lakers are likely to play second fiddle to their L.A. peers, who added George and Kawhi Leonard to what was already a playoff team. It's best to avoid antagonizing the Clippers too much, only to have it backfire in a few months.