In L.A., Lakers dwarf Clippers

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2004 | by David Leon Moore

LOS ANGELES -- On rare occasions, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers play at the Staples Center on the same day, one in the afternoon, one at night, with the building crew switching the hardwood floors between games.

Jimmy Goldstein, surely the most devoted NBA fan in L.A., attends both games.

For his front-row Lakers seat, he pays $1,900.

For his Clippers seat, $700.

The same seat.

Why do the Lakers charge nearly three times as much?

Because they can , of course.

The roughly 3-to-1 difference in pricing is just one way to illustrate the gaping canyon between being a Laker and being a Clipper in this city, which this weekend is host to the NBA All-Star festivities.

In terms of interest, tradition, buzz,...