Doc Rivers to hide Lakers' title banners during Clippers games

Since leaving the Celtics for LA, Doc Rivers has said a lot of things that haven't sat well with Boston fans (examples A, B, and C for starters).  But now it appears he's finally doing something we'll enjoy: Per order of coach Rivers, during his team's home games at the Staples Center this season the Lakers championship banners (and retired numbers) that hang from the rafters will be covered up with giant posters of Clippers players.  Here's what Rivers had to say on the subject, via the LA Times:

"Well, I didn't look at it as the banner thing. I just look at it as putting our guys up. Listen, I think this is our arena when we play, so I just thought it would be good that we show our guys. No disrespect to them. But when we play, it's the Clippers' arena as far as I know."

Not for one second do I believe Doc's explanation; this is clearly a shot at the Lakers, and part of his and his club's "there's a new sheriff in town" mentality.  But you know what?  Good for them.  Go ahead and disrespect the Lakers a little.  After 29 years of being the ugly step child in town I think they've earned that right.  Deciding not to display another team's bragging rights during your own home games is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, and if the Clippers had had any moxie in the past it would have happened a long time ago.


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