Jerry West: The Clippers have been playing in the shadow of the Lakers for decades, and they should be outraged

The Los Angeles Clippers and legend Jerry West have broken ground on their new court, scheduled to open for the 2024-25 season. When the arena opens, there will be some of the most advanced arenas. However, nothing could be more important than the Clippers getting a fairer chance to play away from the Los Angeles Lakers.

After Saturday's groundbreaking event, West, who still serves as an adviser to the Los Angeles Clippers, had the opportunity to be interviewed by the media. He called the new stadium something fans were looking forward to, especially for the team.

Jerry West said after the Clippers' groundbreaking event: "The Clippers have always been in a great building, an important thing, but when you're the third tenant of a building, I mean, my God, we have the worst schedule every year and that will allow this team to have a fairer schedule and not put too much of a burden on the players." At the end of the day, the most important thing is whether the fans will enjoy the experience. ”

The Clippers' 2021-22 season will have five seven-win, five-loss games (seven-night, five- and five-game). That's more than any other team in the league. If they have their own arena, they will be able to choose their own playtime more flexibly, thus avoiding any difficulties caused by scheduling conflicts.

Everyone still thinks the Clippers have been playing in the Shadow of the Lakers for decades and haven't won an NBA championship yet, and they should be outraged by that.

In a media interview on Saturday, Jerry West raised the issue.

"The Lakers, my goodness, if you've been in this city, the Lakers could be the most popular of all the teams." I don't think it's on this timeline. [Steve Ballmer] wants to know who he is, and he's always been so fraternal in what he's done. This building, if you've read about carbon emissions, I mean everything is well thought out. If you hear his speech, his enthusiasm, that's what he really is, it's amazing. The building will be magical for fans, and it will be magical to go there every night to see something different. “

For whatever reason, Lakers fans are furious at the Clippers and their fan base. Lakers fans have been complaining for years that they should move out of staple center. Now that they've done it, Lakers fans will make fun of them. Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer let everyone know that if his team is in the hearts of his opponents, his team must do something right.

"There are 30 teams in the league, and there are 29 teams, we get a company based in Los Angeles, and we get our fans," Ballmer said. We use our own expression to "go our way". We are building our own image and identity. If other people feel threatened – I'm a fan of theirs, the players are actually a little bit different, but if they feel a little threatened, that's okay too. It also means we're doing a good job. ”

The Clippers' new arena is not expected to open until 2024, and Steve Ballmer remains a very impatient person, but the Clippers have a bright future ahead and beyond the highly anticipated opening of the new stadium.