In the record books, Saturday’s matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers will appear as one of 82 games played over the course of another season.
But it isn’t that. It is oh, so much more.
The Pelicans and the Lakers have been linked together for years, making for a contentious relationship between the two franchises. Highlights include the 2011 playoff series that LA won four games to two — the last playoff series of the Chris Paul era. Then, of course, we endured the failed trade that would have sent CP3 to the Lakers, which arguably set both franchises back.