5 reasons Kevin Durant signs with Los Angeles Clippers

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March 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Intensifies Golden State rivalry

While the NBA always seems to have a few good rivalries going at one time, perhaps the best intra-divisional rivalry in the game today is between Pacific Division foes Golden State and the Clippers. Though Los Angeles has a rivalry with fellow Staples Center occupant in the Los Angeles Lakers, both teams have never been good at the same time.

From their time as Pacific Division doormats in the 1990s and most of the 2000s, the Clippers and the Warriors’ rivalry has intensified as both have emerged as two of the best four teams in the West these last four years.

Golden State seems to have had the upper hand the last two years since losing in the first round to Los Angeles in the 2014 NBA Playoffs. However, with Durant joining the Clippers, this rivalry intensifies to that of Bulls-Pistons in the late 1980s and the Magic/Bird Lakers-Celtics era in the 1980s.

Durant is considering joining the Warriors and what better way to anger Golden State than to sign with the Warriors’ biggest divisional rival in the Clippers. All four regular season games between the Clippers and Warriors will be must-see television in 2016-17. If they meet in the Western Conference Finals, it might top the 2016 series between Golden State and Oklahoma City given the market in Los Angeles.

Next: 2. Killing the Clippers Curse is great for his brand.

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