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EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 13: General Manager Rob Pelinka and Head Coach, Frank Vogel introduce Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers to the media during a press conference on July 13, 2019 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 13: General Manager Rob Pelinka and Head Coach, Frank Vogel introduce Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers to the media during a press conference on July 13, 2019 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)Chris Elise/Getty Images

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

Joseph Zucker
Sep 19, 2019

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.ย But I know what the Lakers are thinkingโ€”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 theย Caesars Palaceย 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.ย 

Bleacher Report'sย Andy Baileyย 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 likelyย missย the entire season.

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

As a result, the Lakers are likely to play second fiddle to their L.A. peers, who added George andย Kawhiย 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.

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