Since a championship in 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers have experimented with all kinds of rosters. None might be as decorated and accomplished as their unit during the 2021-22 season. Rob Pelinka had assembled a group of savvy veterans who at their peaks were incredible. The names alone were enough to strike fear. Hall of Famers like LeBron James, Rusell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony were all on the same side. But DeAndre Jordan, one of those veterans, recently exposed a harsh reality about playing for Jeanie Buss’ Lakers.

He is among the 67 players in NBA history to have represented both the LA franchises. The now Nuggets big was welcomed by Paul George on his weekly podcast. It was there that he addressed the major question in fans’ minds – what is different between playing for the Clippers and the Lakers? Jordan’s words were piercing.

Initially, the former Lob City dunker said his decade spent with the Clippers had prepared him for the Los Angeles media. Yet there was one glaring difference. “Then you go to the Lakers and it’s almost like you should feel lucky to play for the Lakers,” he said on Podcast P. “I have also done great things in my career, not taken away from what the Lakers have done, but it’s almost like you’re charity”.

The Lakers are one of the most iconic sports teams in history. Dr. Buss was the trailblazer whose innovation and forward-thinking helped not just the NBA but also the stock of the Lakers. Today, Purple and Gold are an emotion rather than a simple uniform. Each season, the players part of the franchise are shouldered with the responsibility to protect the legacy that has built the franchise.

Think about it. The Lakers have had ‘Showtime’, the Shaq-Kobe era and even Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West if we go way down the memory lane. That’s the precedent the Lakers have to follow. It was also the reason the front office broke the veteran team within a season since they couldn’t withstand the modern pace of the NBA.

DeAndre Jordan didn’t even last a season with the Lakers

The Lakers brought Jordan as the backup to Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard. Since he was at the twilight of his career, not a lot was put on the 35-year-old. He only played 32 games during his tiny stint with the Purple and Gold. In the time he saw the floor, Jordan averaged 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds.

However, the studded Lakers, who had James convinced of their viability never excelled. Jordan was traded at the trade deadline as the roster suffered from nagging injuries to both James and Davis. They only won 39 games that season which was also Frank Vogel’s last time at the helm.

As opposed to the Clippers, Jordan was celebrated for a decade. His partnership with Blake Griffin as a lob threat ultimately gave the league one of the most exciting offenses of all time. Chris Paul, a gifted and expert passer threw pin-point darts in the air, and Jordan or Griffin would find it.

The two franchises have a very different history. Maybe that’s the reason it’s different. The Lakers’ culture is purely based on winning and output while the Clippers being a newer team in the city accept uplifting basketball in the right direction. Given their current scenarios, who do you think will win a title first, the Lakers or the Clippers?

Also, if you want to hear some stories about Shaq and Kobe, listen to our conversation with Leonard Armato in this video below.