Currently, The Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers share residence in the Staples Center, one of the most iconic arenas in basketball. Chris Paul, now with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has played there for a large part of his career while a member of the Clippers, and in a recent interview with ESPN, he discussed the different atmosphere the building has when playing the different Los Angeles teams.

Paul, who spent six seasons with the Clippers, told ESPN that there’s a definitive difference in energy when it comes to playing the two teams in Los Angeles.

“It’s always two different energies when you play against the Clippers and you play against the Lakers,” Paul says. “The lighting is a lot different. You’ve got your monotone man for the Lakers, who does the intros and all that. It’s just always a different energy.”

However, Paul has admitted that now that the Clippers are one of the powerhouses in the NBA, things seem to be changing a bit. “Completely different organizations, but the same type of atmosphere now,” he says.

“Now, you’re talking about an atmosphere that has excitement from two teams in the same city. I don’t know when that’s happened — not in basketball. It’s pretty amazing.”

It’s an interesting aspect of basketball that not many seem to think about, especially when it comes to having to play in these environments. While the Clippers have been a solid team for some time, the Lakers carry a legacy unlike many other organizations. Now, however, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the way to some championship aspirations, it seems as if the Clippers are ready to shed their “little brother” reputation, and bring the same type of energy as their Staples Center neighbors.