The Los Angeles Clippers’ 112-102 victory over the crosstown Lakers at the Staples Center on Tuesday made it clear that the James versus Leonard rivalry is suddenly unavoidable. James’s Lakers landed his sidekick, Anthony Davis, through a protracted public recruiting campaign. Leonard plotted for his co-star, Paul George, in silence after turning down the chase to form a Superteam with James on the Lakers. Playing in his first NBA game since March, James burst out of the gate with pent-up excitement. “The NBA is back, and everybody is trying to have the narrative of a rivalry game and a huge test.

Source: Washington Post October 23, 2019 05:37 UTC