Podcast: Can Lakers-Warriors build on Dodgers-Giants rivalry?

Well, we finally made it. In just about 24 hours from the time this post goes up, the Los Angeles Lakers will be kicking off the 2021-22 season with an opening night bout against the Golden State Warriors, a matchup that comes just about a week after the Dodgers topped the Giants in an instant classic of a divisional series.

We know Dodgers fans hate Giants fans with the fire of a thousand suns — and vice-versa — but can that animosity jump to the Lakers and Warriors? For basically the first time ever, the Lakers and Warriors might finally be good at the same time, which helps, but can that lack of competitive history be overcome in a single season?

To discuss that and a whole lot more, I welcomed Brady Klopfer of Golden State of Mind on this week’s “Anthony Irwin Show.”

We started with a conversation about the idea of clashing styles. When they’re at their best, the Lakers overwhelm teams with size, athleticism and individual talent. Golden State is almost the antithesis of that approach, and whoever can more fully execute their identity will come out on top.

From there, we had a fun little discussion about Golden State’s attempt this season at straddling the fence between competing for a championship this year and maintaining a sustainable organization down the line. And after I re-lived the years of the Lakers young core, we returned to the notion of a Bar Area vs. Los Angelino city-wide rivalry given that the foundation is already laid by the Dodgers and Giants. Brady and I sure hope it can happen. Sports hatred is fun. More of that please.

You can listen to the full episode below, and to make sure you never miss a show, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.

And for a short-form recap pod, check out Lakers Lowdown, in which Anthony Irwin recaps the previous day’s news and gets you ready for the day ahead in LakerLand, every weekday morning on the Silver Screen & Roll Podcast feed.