Who runs LA?

The city of Los Angeles is unique in the sense that two NBA teams, who play in the same city also share an arena together, but also envy each other. It's been no secret, that for decades, the Lakers were the team in LA, next to the beloved Dodgers, and the Clippers were that team that everyone kind of forgot about up until the last two years. The Clippers have made all of the right moves lately , and the Lakers have taken a page out of the Clippers old book, making all the wrong moves. It seems that the Lakers and Clippers are a tail of two brothers, who never got along because one was always successful, while the other one just seemed lost with no direction.

The Lakers have been the older successful brother, while the Clippers have been the little brother with no direction and seemed to fail at everything, but the tables have turned in favor of the Clippers, while the Lakers are now scratching their heads wondering how that happened because the change was so unexpected.

The city has seen a change in their sports pages and headlines over the past two years. Since, the Lakers won there last title back in 2010, they have taken some major steps back, instead of going forward, but the Clippers on the other hand have built a team quietly that has resembled the "Showtime Lakers" teams from  the 1980's.

 Both franchises have undergone major makeovers that have affected not just their teams, but the entire NBA. The Clippers acquired Blake Griffin from the draft lottery, and Chris Paul from a trade with the New Orleans Hornets. The Clips clearly got younger, faster, and athletic. The Lakers unlike, their rivals went for big name veterans like Steve Nash and Dwight Howard instead of going for younger talent.

Things have gone according to plan for the Clippers and look to be one of the top 3 teams in the western conference this year, but the Lakers on the other hand look like a franchise in limbo, with no expectations, and holding all of their cards until the summer of 2014. So, the expectations for both teams are different for this upcoming season.

The expectations last year for the Lakers were extremely high, going into the season with a super team that was highlighted by Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard. They were supposed to run through there opponents, but it was the complete opposite. The Lakers finished the season with a slew of injuries, settling for the 7th seed in the west, and were swept in the first round by the Spurs.

Their season ended horribly, and before you knew it, Dwight Howard got on the first plane to Houston, leaving the Lakers in the dust. Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles Tendon leaving his future cloudy, and may never be the same player that he was before the injury. It won't just be a walk in the park for Kobe anymore, he can't afford to re-injure that Achilles because if he does, he may be done.

The Lakers other problems have been in the front office. They are experiencing a change in ownership from the legendary Jerry Buss to his children and they have not figured out a way to put aside their issues yet ,and if they can't figure those issues out, then the anxiety will continue to grow for the Lakers organization. Winning championships may be foreign...

The Clippers have done the complete opposite, they have made all the right moves, and have cashed in on talent that they have brought in and sent out. The Clippers have also shaken off the losing culture, and have embraced a winning culture. Their owner, Donald Sterling is still questionable, but he has given the team's front office full control, and the results have been off the charts. They are the team with the expectations now, and have given the city of LA a new hope, and are looking to capture their first championship in their history. Resigning Chris Paul and bringing in Doc Rivers as their coach has propelled the Clippers expectations into championship hopes.

Expectations can either bring up a team or bring a team down. The Clippers didn't have built in expectations last year, and surprised everyone with their winning record, and having one of the deepest teams in the league. The Clippers are now looking to duplicate that success this year with a championship caliber coach in Doc Rivers, who may be the one to get this team over the hump. The Lakers on the other hand have questions surrounding their future and front office, and until those questions are answered, the expectations will not be high.

The Lakers are still trying to figure out their identity while trying to put together a team that is still capable of winning, but wins may be hard to come by for a Lakers team that may struggle, but who knows. The Clippers though, look like the team who may have the city of LA's ear this upcoming season. Los Angeles will always be a Lakers town, but the Clippers have and will continue to make a case for themselves, as LA's team.

Running a big city like Los Angeles is a big task. Fans will fall in love with a player or team who brings out the hustle and determination night in and night out because the city is filled with hustlers, dreamers, go-getters, and drama. After all, Los Angeles is right next door to Hollywood, and for Laker and Clipper fans, the drama of running the city will never be gone, because the once little brother finally grew up and grew some balls to stand up to the older brother, and now the older brother is looking for answers to get ahead or stop the little brother from gaining their success and more importantly the city of LA.