The three-point line is really too close

Chapter 87 There is only one team in Los Angeles!
2006年11月21日晚10:30分，
The Los Angeles Lakers will play the final home game of the "Sweet Five" schedule at the Staples Center.

The opponent is the Clippers, also from Los Angeles.

In the history of the NBA, there may never be another team that has experienced so many twists and turns and endured such a difficult struggle like the Clippers.

The Clippers joined the NBA in 1970, when they settled in Buffalo, and the team was called the Buffalo Braves (Buffalo Braves).

After staying in Buffalo for 8 years, and only won 4+ games in 20 years, the Clippers, who were deeply dissatisfied with the environment, decided to change their Feng Shui and moved the team to San Diego, so they changed their name to the San Diego Clippers.

However, the team did not do well in San Diego, from 43 wins and 39 losses in the first year to 17 wins and 65 losses in the fourth year...

By 1981, the team changed hands, and Donald Sterling became the owner of the team. In 1984, despite the fines imposed by the league, he decided to move the Clippers to Los Angeles, and the team was renamed the Los Angeles Clippers.
At that time, the Los Angeles people already had their own home team in mind, that is, the Lakers who came to Los Angeles from Minneapophis in 1960.

In the past 20 years, the Lakers have emerged many superstars, achieved outstanding records many times, and competed with Boston several times in the finals, accumulating a large number of diehard fans.

The Clippers wanted to take a look at the popularity and glory of the City of Angels, but after coming here, they didn't have any impressive performances. They always looked like an outsider, looking forward to being fully accepted by the city.

It's a pity that there is another sad ship in this city.

At that time, the Lakers were at the peak of Show Time, and the wonderful matchup of the "black and white duo" saved the entire league.

How can the tiny Clippers compare to that?
For a long time since then, the Clippers have been living in the shadow of the Lakers.

Today, the Lakers have reached the finals 29 times, 14 of which won the championship, and the Clippers' best record is only the Western Conference semifinals last year.

As Kobe Bryant famously said:
"The Lakers never hang the division championship banner!"

This sentence can be described as quite domineering, and at the same time, it seems to be a reminder to the Clippers in the same city:
"The things I don't like are all extravagant expectations that you have never had."

Regardless of each era, the Lakers can always stand at the forefront of history, harvesting championships, lofty prestige, and fanatical fans.

And the Clippers, like being cursed, haven't even made it to the conference finals for decades.

As a sports team, poor performance is flawed, and it is no wonder that in such a city full of spotlights, there are not many lights for them.

When Zhang Bolong came to the court to warm up, he was surprised to find that there were not many fans wearing Clippers jerseys in the almost full auditorium.

You know, even if other visiting teams come to Staples to fight, there must always be some voices and figures of support.

"So, no matter which team you join, even if you go to the Nets or compete with the Knicks, don't come to the Clippers." Kobe said without a trace of pity, "Here, it will always be the Lakers' team." Site."

Hearing the arrogance in his words, Zhang Bolong also became agitated.

Yes, even the Clippers team led by Paul, Griffin, and Jordan in the previous life once gathered Pierce, Billups, Crawford, Butler, etc. in the "lobby city" star,
But their brilliance combined seems to be inferior to Kobe who is in his twilight years.

Zhang Bolong still remembers watching a football game in Los Angeles after Xiaoka joined the Clippers in his previous life.

Kawhi, who was born in California, playing for his hometown team was originally a welcome thing for his hometown fans, but when Leonard appeared on the big screen in the football stadium, there was a burst of boos from the fans in the stadium...

This is because in the summer of that year, Xiaoka released the pigeons of the Lakers. Instead of joining hands with Zhan Mei to form the Big Three, he joined the Clippers and became the opponent of the Lakers!

This also shows the gap between the Clippers and the Lakers in the eyes of Los Angeles fans.

In such an environment, they may be more willing to play away games than facing the Lakers "at home".

Having said so much, some people may think that the Clippers are like younger brothers in front of the Lakers.

But in fact, the strength of this Clippers team is not weak at all.

It is even said that they are stronger than the current Lakers.

Last season, they achieved 47 victories, and in the first round of the playoffs, they swept the Nuggets with "Little Melon" Anthony, and they fought seven games with the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals before losing.

In their formation, everyone is a master Zhang Bolong can name.

"Captain" Elton Brand, "Old Cat" Cutino Mobley, "Primitive Man" Chris Carman, "Alien" Sam Cassell...

Also sitting on the bench were super scorer Corey Maggette and "little magician" Sean Livingston.

Such a lineup can definitely be called full of talents, at least in terms of overall book strength, it is much more balanced and stronger than the Lakers.

Since the start of the game, they have also achieved a good record of 6 wins and 3 losses.

The somewhat deformed home environment caused them to have a kind of resentment and hostility towards the glamorous Lakers.

The fighting spirit and desire to win as professional players also made them eager to beat the Lakers and fight back those indifferent and contemptuous eyes.

In this way, amidst the cheers of the audience cheering for the Lakers, the game officially began.

The bearded Kaman won the ball, and the experienced "alien" Kassel held the ball for halftime.

At the moment when Zhang Bolong hit the top of the arc and faced him, the flashing lights on the side of the court suddenly became active.

Zhang Bolong looked at the other party carefully, and couldn't help but marvel at the wonder of the Creator...

This guy does look quite distinctive.

There is an "alien" Ronaldo in football because his skills have amazed the world.

There is also an "alien" Cassel in the basketball world, it is purely because he does not look like a person on earth...

In particular, the handsome and unrestrained Zhang Bolong stood in front of him. Such a contrast gave people a strong sense of visual impact.

"Young man, isn't he handsome?"

After all, Kassel is an old fritter, seeing Zhang Bolong frowning unconsciously, he took the initiative to speak, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Uh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean it." Zhang Bolong apologized.

"Ah, it's okay, I don't mean anything malicious, and it's not my intention to grow up like this."

Cassell grinned and continued dribbling the ball slowly.

　chat, happy birthday
　　
　
(End of this chapter)