Despite the momentum the Clippers have heading into this season, Los Angeles will always be the Lakers town, which was never more evident on Sunday, when L.A. native Kawhi Leonard attended a Rams game.
While watching the Rams-Buccaneers game at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Leonard was shown on the jumbotron, and was showered with boos from the pro-Lakers crowd.
It's likely that the animosity Lakers fans have for Kawhi is rooted in the way he approached his decision to sign with the Clippers. This summer, Leonard and his camp narrowed down his suitors to three teams: both L.A. franchises and the incumbent Toronto Raptors. It was believed that the Clippers barely had a shot at landing Leonard, until the front office acquired Paul George from OKC. Leonard then sidestepped the Lakers and their advances to sign with the Clips.
To be fair to Kawhi, there is an abundance of hate going around Los Angeles. PG13—who is also from Southern California—isn't getting the homecoming that he imagined either. A day before Kawhi was jeered, George was reportedly booed while attending Bellator 228 at The Forum.
It should be an interesting season at the Staples Center to say the least.
