Can the Dodgers recapture the city of Los Angeles from Lakers?

By Steve Dilbeck
February 2, 2013, 6:20 a.m.

If you’re a diehard Dodgers fan, in the deepest recess of your little blue-pumping heart, do you secretly hope the Lakers continue to fall flat on their derrieres?

That Mike D’Antoni never does figure out how to play two big men at once, Kobe Bryant’s sudden split personality (I’m a shooter! No, no, I’m a passer!) blows up, Steve Nash gives into the march of time and bad backs, a disgruntled Pau Gasol catches a flight back to Spain and Dwight Howard continues to be confused with Clark Kent?

If the Lakers continue their embarrassing implosion, could this actually swing back to a Dodgers town?

The Dodgers have a long way to go to recapture this city’s No. 1 status from the Lakers, who easily have been the dominant sports team here over the last 20-plus years.

It might seem hard to imagine happening now, everyone constantly in a tizzy over everything purple and gold, but remember the Dodgers were the preeminent sports team in Los Angeles in the ’60s and ’70s.
To reclaim their previous status, the first thing the Dodgers naturally have to do is win. Not easily done, as evidenced by the last 25 years, even with their sudden addition of talent.

The Lakers themselves serve as clear forewarning that bringing a collection of stars together offers no simple road to success.

But right now the Dodgers’ new ownership appears on the right course to healing wounds from the Frank McCourt/Fox era. Dodger Stadium is getting a facelift, the roster will be the most expensive in the majors this season and focus is being placed back on organizational structure.

The Lakers’ roots are deep in the city now, which is sort of understandable given their 10 titles and 16 NBA Finals appearances in the last 32 years. But Bryant is talking about playing only one more year, Howard might not return next season and Nash will turn 39 next month.

A seeming opportunity is there. It will take a title, or titles, for L.A.’s freeways to be littered with cars displaying little Dodgers flags attached to their windows. But at least it can be visualized, which is light years from two seasons ago when Dodger Stadium was awash in empty seats and the franchise in bankruptcy.
Maybe the two teams share the L.A. stage like in 1988. Maybe the Clippers surpass them both, or the NFL returns in a big way or the Stanley Cup-champion Kings win over an enormous new following (OK, getting carried away with that last one).

Or just maybe, this once again becomes a Dodgers town.

 

It wouldn't be that hard honestly, if the Dodgers get back to winning a lot of people will shift back. Most people in this town simply like a winner, and if given a choice, im willing to bet most people prefer baseball to basketball. Unfortunately some of it is probably racially motivated, but I won't get into that.

 

exactly

 

Or at least out of market

San Diego Clippers
Montreal/Charlotte Angels

 

Winning is a wonderful motivator of people. It also tends to breed magic (see what I did there).

 

Too bad for you guys, the Clippers just signed a 10 year extension on their lease.

 

I honestly don't think it'll be that easy to overtake the Lakers. I think there is a chance, but it'll take a nosedive of multiple years by the Lakers and a few WS titles by the Dodgers.

 

More than that imo

 

No way. Thing the Lakers have is that it's a "hip" place to be seen. You've all seen the hundreds of douchey celebs who use a Lakers game they don't give a shit about to advertise their new relationship/hairstyle/breast implants. Modern society is obsessed with popular culture and these often talentless fucks. As long as these people are perceived to be cool like they are for some reason, the Lakers will always get more publicity and exposure.

A couple of world series wouldn't hurt the Dodgers chances though.

 

epic.

and part of the reason the Lakers often times rub me the wrong way is exactly that. The image. The Dodgers are blue collar.

 

And don't get me wrong. I love watching the Lakers and when they blew the 20+ point lead to Boston in the 2008 finals I had a meltdown. I'm definitely emotionally invested in their success and failures. But the people who like the Lakers and attend the games are just irritating.

 

I don't want to point out the obvious, but the two teams don't actually compete. How does the popularity of milk affect Ford truck sales?

Anyway, I fully expect one day people will say, "Magic Johnson? That's the guy who owned the Dodgers, right?"

 

I think of the Lakers and Dodgers as two good things that you mix to make something even greater. The success of one doesn't diminish the other, but enhances it.

Think of peanut butter and jelly, Oreos and milk, mac and cheese, steak and wine...