For this particular equation we’re going to focus on the NBA, mainly because this is a Lakers oriented site. Obviously. The best way to look at this is to put it this way, for the entire NBA, especially the Western Conference, the Lakers are Jerusalem and the rest of the teams are mere crusaders. They will do whatever it takes to overthrow the big dog, the problem is they just don’t have enough bite to do it. While that was two cheesy metaphors rolled into one sentence, the facts ring true. We have experienced that especially this season, as every team is giving the Lakers their best performance. While part of this has to do with the Lakers being the reigning NBA champions, a lot of it also has to do with the hatred lesser teams feel towards Los Angeles. Just to be clear, not the Clippers.
I have been able to personally witness this history for much of my life, as I grew up in a town where the Lakers are seen as absolute vermin. Portland, Oregon is known more for its Farmer’s Market than it’s basketball, but the fans up there definitely love their Trail Blazers. The problem is that the Trail Blazers have won one, yes one, NBA championship in their entire existence (1977). The Lakers have been a long time rival for the Blazers in the eyes of Oregonians (even if Lakers fans really could care less about the Trail Blazers), and they love to beat the Lakers. Blazers fans enjoy watching the Lakers lose almost more than watching Portland win, even though both don’t happen very frequently. But the level of hate that Portland fans exert towards the Lakers is truly remarkable.
Next: Why the hatred is a good thing…
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