5 Reasons Why Los Angeles Clippers Are Los Angeles’ Team Now

Los Angeles Clippers Are Taking Over Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Clippers are having a phenomenal year this season. Not only have they had the most victories in team history, but they also won the division title, another first for the team. In the battle of Los Angeles, the Clippers won that as well by sweeping the season series against the rival Los Angeles Lakers.

The Clippers have always been the baby brothers who got bullied by the big brother Lakers, but a curious move by the NBA commissioner David Stern changed the fates of both teams drastically. Just last year, the Lakers traded for all-star point guard Chris Paul and it looked as if it was going to go through and the Lakers would be on their way to the championship. But out of nowhere, word came down from the office of Stern that the trade wasn't going to happen and instead Paul was shipped to the Clippers.

From that day. "Lob City" was born. They took off immediately and never looked back, as the team re-energized Clippers fans and they made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Lakers would make a move a year later and add all star center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash, and things haven't quite worked out to what Lakers fans are used to. With all the drama unfolding around the Lakers and the team getting bad news more than good, it has become clear that the Clippers are the new team to beat in Los Angeles, and here are the five reasons why.

The Clippers Big 3 Have Youth

The Clippers have youth on their side in their stars as Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan all combine to average the age of 25. This trio brings excitement to every game with circus passes and alley-oop dunks that make the highlights of ESPN every night.

With Paul already in his prime and Griffin and Jordan entering it, the bar is nothing but high for every Clippers fan around the world.

DeAndre Jordan Upside

DeAndre Jordan is emerging into a force at the center position. Jordan not only pulls down rebounds he also protects the paint by blocking shots. At 24, Jordan has nowhere to go but up.

In a league that's seeing less and less centers and more hybrid power forwards, DeAndre has a chance to dominate his position for years to come.

Blake Griffin Is A Rising Star

Not many people knew what to expect when Griffin came into the league. He quickly changed people's mind when he exploded with his ferocious slam dunks, and increased his stardom even more with a memorable performance at the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest which included dunking over a car.

Blake Griffin has turned into a star on the NBA court but also on TV as well by being featured in Kia and Subway commercials. He has proved that he is not only the face of the franchise, but the future of the franchise as well.

Chris Paul's Leadership

When Chris Paul came to the Clippers, he made an immediate impact, guiding the team to its first postseason since 2005. Paul also made an impact by bringing leadership and playoff experience to his team. He has been essential in mentoring the young players like Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and especially to Blake Griffin. Paul was also instrumental in bringing key free agents over who have helped the Clippers post their first fifty win season in team history.

Chris Paul does have a decision to make though as his contract is up at the end of the season, but the further the Clippers go in the playoffs, the more likely he is to stay. Chris Paul is an important piece to why the Clippers have been able to not only overtake the Lakers, but the Western Conference by the storm as well.

The Fall Of The Los Angeles Lakers

The fall of the Lakers and the rise of the Clippers have led to a flip flop in the standings for the Los Angeles based teams. The Lakers are currently clinging to the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings, and the Clippers are at the fourth seed with the third seed still in their reach.

The loss of Kobe Bryant for the rest of the season is almost the final nail in the coffin for the Lakers. No one could have predicted the outcome of these two teams, but it has become clear that the Clippers are the team to beat in Los Angeles.