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By Elizabeth Newman

Daily Bruin Contributor

enewman@media.ucla.edu

Of all the issues to split California, basketball has now joined the list, as those from the north are convinced of a King victory while those from the south are sure the Lakers will win a third title.

The NBA playoffs redefine what it means to be a basketball fan.

The postseason fuels rivalries, as friends take breaks in their relationships to root for their team. To be on the other side borders on the unspeakable.

“We’ve got some all-star players – the Lakers don’t stand a chance this year,” first-year student and Kings fan Nikki Muranaka said.

Second-year Jonathan Hernandez begs to differ: “The fact that it’s playoff time means the Lakers are going to win, no question about it.”

The combination of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the pride and joy of Lakers fans, serve more as thorns in the side of Kings fans.

“The Kings can sub players if someone gets hurt,” electrical engineering student Chris Loo said. “If Shaq or Kobe were out, it’d be over – they are the team.”

“They win don’t they, what does it matter?” asked Daily Bruin editor in chief Timothy Kudo. “Better to have two clutch players who dominate the team than no clutch players who can’t win a championship two years running.”

“The Daily Bruin officially endorses the Lakers,” he added, only half-jokingly.

The rivalry, however, extends far beyond campus.

In Sacramento, State Assembly Speaker Herb J. Wesson has brought the rivalry to the state capitol. Wesson, whose district covers the UCLA campus, has challenged Sacramento representative Dave Cox to a bet.

If the Lakers defeat the Kings, Cox will wear a Lakers jersey on the State Assembly floor and lead the House in a rendition of “I Love L.A.” by Randy Newman. If, however, the Kings win the series, Wesson will wear a Kings jersey on the floor and ring a cow bell.

Both representatives ardently support their respective teams, and neither plans on losing the bet.

In a press release Wesson said, “We already know that Dave Cox looks great in a Lakers jersey – and I can’t wait to hear him sing.”

Cox, however, sees the future differently.

“My good friend Herb spends so much time in Sacramento, I could have sworn he was a Kings fan,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him in purple.”

But why base a rivalry on the teams’ talents or strategy when it is so much better rooted in sheer dislike towards “the other side?” Sometimes it’s the rivalry itself that keeps fans cheering for their team.

“I really don’t hate the Kings, it’s mostly the rivalry that I revel in,” said world arts and cultures student and Los Angeles native Sarri Sanchez. “With the Nor Cal folks around here it’s all about pride in my home team.”

Yet the rivalry remains, and always will.

“You know, if the name ‘Laker’ had two different letters, it’d spell ‘Loser’?” Muranaka asked.

And for those who are undecided, whose team has been knocked out of the NBA playoffs already, Lakers fan Kristan Klinghoffer wishes to direct your attention to Mike Bibby – a former Arizona Wildcat and son of USC men’s basketball head coach Henry Bibby.

“Any self-respecting Bruin will hate him,” Klinghoffer said.