Magic Johnson on Thursday defended the Los Angeles Clippers’ decision to begin covering up the Lakers’ championship banners and retired jerseys inside Staples Center when they host games.
News emerged last week that the Clippers would begin covering the Lakers (and Kings) banners inside Staples Center for their home games in order to make it more of a home atmosphere. New Clippers coach Doc Rivers is the one who came up with the idea.
Magic, whose jersey is retired by the Lakers and hanging in Staples Center, said on Twitter Thursday that he has no problem with what the Clippers are doing.
Laker Nation: Doc Rivers has a right to cover up the @Lakers 16 NBA Championship Banners.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 25, 2013
Doc Rivers is just trying to create a winning culture with the Clipper organization.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 25, 2013
Laker Nation: We all still know that those 16 banners are up there and it shouldn't bother us.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 25, 2013
I really think that because the idea came from Rivers, who is a respected coach who has a history of winning and leading successful teams, there is less objection to the move. But, really, nobody should be objecting to this. Lakers fans outnumber Clippers fans by a huge margin, but there is no reason the Clippers shouldn’t make Staples Center feel like their home when they’re playing.
Outside of Nick Young, who used to play with the Clippers, we haven’t heard of anyone else complaining about this. Nor should they. This was long overdue.
