Why Does Los Angeles Have Two NBA Teams?

There are a few reasons why Los Angeles has two NBA teams. First, the city has a large population and is a major market for the league. Second, the league wants to have a presence in both the east and west coasts. Finally, having two teams in Los Angeles helps to promote rivalries and creates more interest in the NBA.

Introduction

Los Angeles is home to two NBA teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. While this may seem like a odd decision at first, there are actually a few reasons why Los Angeles has two NBA teams.

One of the main reasons is because Los Angeles is a huge market for basketball. With two teams, fans in Los Angeles have a much better chance of being able to see their team play live. Additionally, having two teams allows for more rivalries and more excitement around the sport in general.

Another reason why Los Angeles has two NBA teams is because it used to have three. The third team, the Sacramento Kings, used to play in Los Angeles before moving to Sacramento in 1985. At that time, there was discussion about adding another team in order to replace the Kings, but ultimately it was decided that two teams would be enough.

So while it may seem strange at first glance, there are actually a few reasons why Los Angeles has two NBA teams. And in a city as big and passionate about basketball as Los Angeles, having two teams just makes sense.

The City of Angels

Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States, and it is home to two NBA teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. There are a few reasons why this is the case.

First, when the NBA was founded in 1946, there were only 11 teams. Two of those teams were based in New York City, but there was only one team west of Chicago. Therefore, it made sense for there to be two teams in LA so that the league could better compete with other professional sports leagues for attention and fans on the West Coast.

Second, even though LA is a large city, it is still spread out geographically. Having two teams means that there is a greater chance that fans will be able to attend games without having to travel too far.

Finally, having two teams gives LA residents more options when it comes to rooting for a local team. Some people may prefer one team over the other for different reasons, such as player personnel or history. Having two teams means that everyone can find a team to support that suits their individual preferences.

The Birth of the Lakers

It all started with the Minneapolis Lakers, who were founded in 1947. The Lakers were a successful team, making it to the NBA Finals five times in their first six years of existence. However, they struggled to find success in the playoffs, winning just one championship during their time in Minneapolis.

In 1960, the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles, becoming the first NBA team to be based on the West Coast. The team instantly became one of the most popular sports franchises in the area. In their first season in Los Angeles, the Lakers won the NBA Championship, kickstarting a dynastic run that would see them win five more titles in the next six years.

With the Lakers established as one of Los Angeles’ premier sports teams, it wasn’t long before another NBA franchise followed suit. In 1967, the Seattle SuperSonics expansion team relocated to become the Milwaukee Bucks. But just two years later, they would move again to become the second NBA team in Los Angeles: The San Diego Rockets (now known as the Houston Rockets).

The Clippers’ Rise to Relevance

It wasn’t always this way. For most of their history, the Clippers were an irrelevance, a laughing stock. They were once known as the “Brittanica Sultans”, an awful play on words on the former owner’s name. The team was never good, and attendance was always low. In fact, things were so bad that at one point the team was almost moved to Canada!

But everything changed in 2009 when they were bought by Microsoft mogul Steve Ballmer. Ballmer injected new life into the franchise, making them relevant again. He brought in top-level talent, both on and off the court, and the team slowly started to turn things around.

And then in 2020, everything came together. The Clippers won their first ever NBA title, cementing their place as one of Los Angeles’ top teams. So why do they have two NBA teams? Because they’re both good!

The Battle for LA

The city of Los Angeles is home to two NBA teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. This arrangement is relatively unique, as most metropolitan areas with more than one NBA team have one team located in the city proper and another in a suburbs (e.g. the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets). So, how did LA end up with two NBA teams?

The answer lies in the history of basketball in the city. The Lakers were originally founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1947. In 1960, the team relocated to Los Angeles, where they quickly became one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. The Clippers, on the other hand, were founded much later – in 1970 – as the Buffalo Braves. The franchise relocated to San Diego in 1978 before finally settling in Los Angeles in 1984.

So, why does Los Angeles have two NBA teams? The simple answer is that they always have. The Lakers were there first, and when the Clippers arrived they found a city already enamored with basketball. As a result, both teams have been able to find success in LA.

Conclusion

The rivalry between the Lakers and Clippers is one of the most intense in the NBA, and it has only grown in recent years. There are a number of reasons why Los Angeles has two NBA teams, but the most important one is simply that there is enough demand for basketball in the city to support two franchises.

The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, and they have a huge fan base. The Clippers, meanwhile, are one of the most popular underdog stories in sports. Both teams are extremely popular, and they both sell out their arenas on a regular basis.

There is no other city in the world that has two NBA teams that are both this popular. It’s clear that Los Angeles is a basketball city through and through, and it’s likely that the Lakers and Clippers will continue to be successful for many years to come.