Fortunately, Magic Johnson could never be hated by Los Angeles Lakers fans, but sometimes it seems like he’s trying his hardest to get their goat.
The legendary Laker said the Clippers, not the Lakers, are the new Showtime. Johnson declared that after the Clippers won their franchise-record 14th straight win.
“I thought I would never, ever see Showtime again. And I was the architect of Showtime,” Johnson said on ESPN, according to Larry Brown Sports. “The Clippers? That’s Showtime.”
Johnson may be quick on the draw to compare the 2012-13 Clips to one of the greatest teams to ever take the court. The Lakers won five championships between 1979 and 1988 — a stretch that can only be put up against the 1950’s Boston Celtics.
The Clippers have built themselves quite a squad, and it’s showing since they’ve accumulated the best record in the NBA at 22-6. They’re considered the deepest team in the league with talented players like Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes, Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom not even starting.
Though they’ve got a solid core and a deep bench, the Clippers will need to win at least one championship before being anointed the new 1980’s Lakers.
