The Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers have been co-tenants in LA since the latter moved there from San Diego, California in 1984. The Lakers had moved to the city 24 years earlier, in 1960, so they have almost always had the sole fan base in the area. The rivalry between the Lakers and the Clippers has taken on a new dimension with the Lakers’ recent announcement.

The rivalry between the Lakers and the Clippers reaches a new dimension

When Steve Ballmer bought the Clippers for $2 billion, many thought he had overpaid. That was a fairly valid reasoning at the time. The $2 billion he paid dwarfed the $550 million he paid for the Milwaukee Bucks earlier that year. Today, the team is worth $4.65 billion. Perhaps it was foolish to doubt the Microsoft billionaire’s business acumen.

Desperate to own an NBA franchise, the Clippers sort of fell into his lap due to the Donald Sterling saga. After taking over the team in 2014, he immediately set out to make them the best team in LA. We have to remember that this team had never appeared in a conference final before. They were trying to oust the (then) 16-time champion LA Lakers. After signing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in 2019, they finally had the star power to compete against the Lakers, who had just signed LeBron James to a long-term deal. Now that the Clippers were the Lakers’ equal on the court, it was time to take the rivalry to the next level.

Intuit Dome

The Clippers had shared the Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center) with the Lakers all this time. Ballmer further showed his devotion to the Clippers fan base by investing $2 billion in an arena he said would become the “Mecca of basketball.” It officially opened on August 15, 2024. A media poll in 2023 named the iconic Madison Square Garden the best NBA arena. In a few years, media representatives could be singing a new tune with the Intuit Dome.

“We designed something that we think is for fans who are very serious, diehard basketball fans,” said Ballmer, sitting on a folding chair in the middle of the Intuit Dome construction site. “We want people to spend as much time in their seats as possible because they appreciate the game.”

The Intuit Dome is designed to provide an immersive and comfortable experience. The Intuit Dome is designed so that fans can quickly walk up the stairs in any area, use one of the nearly 1,200 restrooms (all within 60 seconds of walking), and grab something to eat or drink from the easily accessible concession stands. These stands offer a consistent selection of products, eliminating the need for fans to search for their favorite snacks or beverages. All of these tasks can be accomplished within the 12-minute NBA halftime break. The venue’s efficient layout is designed to promote a “heads-up experience” and minimize cell phone use. At the center of this concept is the Halo Board, an expansive video display with 233 million LEDs. It will provide fans with all the information they need about the game and its players.

Crypto.com Announcement

With all the noise going on 10 miles away, one can understand how Crypto.com’s management will feel. Having been the premier venue in downtown LA for the past 25 years, that status may soon be over. This latest announcement from the Lakers comes on the heels of the official opening of the Intuit Dome. The Lakers are looking to outdo the Clippers in their rivalry.

As we prepare to celebrate our 25th anniversary, check out the stunning new centerpiece of https://t.co/mht717xyVs Arena! The 500-square-foot, six-display configuration features 41.7 million pixels, bringing fans even closer to the action. @Lakers @LAKings @LASparks pic.twitter.com/ZNf1gxTqsp

— Crypto.com Arena (@cryptocomarena) 15 August 2024

“We are excited to unveil a new, state-of-the-art scoreboard with crisp graphics and imagery for our fans to enjoy at Lakers, Kings and LA Sparks games, as well as other live events at Crypto.com Arena,” said Lee Zeidman, president of Crypto.com Arena, in a statement. “As the arena celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024, partnering with Daktronics to unveil this spectacular centerpiece that brings our guests even closer to the action complements the numerous additional upgrades and technological advancements at this historic venue.”

The scoreboard features new technology to better entertain fans. Installation began on August 1st with a crew of over 60 workers working non-stop to meet the tight deadline of August 14th. The task was even more challenging given the arena’s busy schedule.

The last word

Ultimately, the Lakers have to accept that the Clippers’ new arena, despite minor adjustments and improvements, far surpasses the 25-year-old arena in downtown Los Angeles. The landscape is changing, and the Lakers are lagging behind the Clippers in that regard. Still, the Clippers have a long way to go if they want to displace the Lakers as the best team in LA.