When it comes to rivalries in the NBA, former league commissioner David Stern sure knows a thing or two about the same. After all, he did spend close to 50 years in the NBA — serving as the commissioner for no less than three decades — before retiring in 2014.
When asked about his thoughts about the recently revitalized rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, Stern said that he believes it was only a matter of time before it would reach the heights in which it now stands.
“No. It was preordained and was always going to be,” Stern said, via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “They’re going to hate each other. It’s going to be a great rivalry.”
L.A. has long been considered as the Lakers' town, with the Clippers nothing more than a thorn at their side. However, with how the balance has been swayed over a crazy offseason, the Clippers have now emerged as the favorites among these two teams.
According to Stern, this was always bound to happen. The 76-year-old appears to be more than willing to welcome the impending shift in power, expecting nothing less than fireworks in what should be one of the most significant periods of this age-old rivalry.
Stern did not stop there, however, also making a bold claim about another fierce rivalry out East.
“And the Nets and Knicks are going to have a great rivalry, too,” said Stern. “A lot of people are counting the Knicks out, but they’re going to be better than people expect.”
The former commissioner seems to know something we don't about the New York Knicks. The new season is inching closer by the day, though, so it will only be a matter of time before we see if Stern's prediction holds true.
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