The Lakers and Clippers are ready to share their home for the final time
LA TimesTen seasons ago, the Clippers opened their preseason by visiting four of their Western Conference rivals. No disrespect to them, but when we play, it’s the Clipper arena as far as I know.” But it was absolutely a banner thing — the Clippers finally saying “Enough” to one of the NBA’s strangest real-estate partnerships with two franchises sharing an arena. “We understand what the Lakers mean to the city and what they’ve done, but for us to have a place that we can call home and be comfortable, I think that was the right thing to do.” Chuck the Condor waves a banner midcourt during pregame festivities for a Clippers-Trail Blazers game at Staples Center in 2021. A partial to-do list for swapping between Lakers and Clippers games is as follows: change the wrapping on pillars inside the main concourse and outside the building; change the court; swap out the baskets; configure the different courtside seats and scorer’s table; update the merchandise stands; swap the TV trucks and stationary cameras; and redecorate the tunnel to the court for the home team. “Obviously, there’s a change on the way and I think it’s good for Lakers and Clippers players and it’s good for the fans.” Times staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this report.