Portraits Of Lakers And Clippers Superfans

With the NBA season in full swing we sought out some diehard L.A. Lakers and Clippers fans to show us some team spirit and share their thoughts on this exciting season. Photos by Nanette Gonzales. via [LA Weekly]

L.A. couples dont always like the same team, and although that can complicate things its not necessarily a deal breaker for most. Chaz Bautzer and Lindsay Marie, creators of Beverly Hills' "Pimps and Hos Clothing" make it work by finding inspiration in both teams by offering colorways to suit Lakers and Clippers fans alike. This cute couple is just as competitive as their teams. When asked about them Chaz responded I think the Clippers are the show. Its all about new blood. I bleed red, white, and blue. Lindsay Marie replies, You don't move to LA to become a Clippers fan. Its all about the dynasty, the Lake Show!

Chris Pouy aka Durt Rambis has made a name for himself at Staples Center as a Lakers superfan. Durt, Kurt Rambiss fictional down and out brother, is a guy that keeps it fun and energetic at games. I dressed as Kurt Rambis for Halloween, two years ago. After a night of dancing and debauchery, I ended up sweaty and filthy at pretty nice restaurant. Someone came in and recognized me from the party and yelled, "Hey, It's Durt Rambis!" and the legend was born.

Alhambra band, Planets, are all Clippers fans. In 2009, they decided as a group they wanted to cheer for a basketball team. Adam Cotton, guitarist for the band, remembers it well. Living in L.A. we had two choices. Join the dark side of purple and gold. Or become a part of the rebel alliance with the red, white and blue. We're rebels.

Body piercer at Sin City Tattoo, Trigz is known to his friends as a die hard Lakers fan. Striking a Kobe pose here he shows it's all about Lakers in L.A. Kobe to me is black Jesus. People hate us cuz they aint us. Were having a slow start this year, but we'll be in the playoffs taking another ring. Were the team other teams strive to be.

Trigz has created shirts he sells online emblazoned with the tag "Lakers Gang." Sand One, LA graff girl and Trigz friend proudly wears his shirt. Trigz breaks down the meaning, 'Lakers Gang' is just a statement. Lakers fans are loyal and we stay deep in the streets like a gang. We have fans all over the world.

The most recognizable fan in our series is one that is synonymous with the LA Clippers. Clipper Darrell can be found at every single home game, dressed to the nines in his custom red and blue suit. The suit came about in 2005 when the NBA implemented a dress code to players requiring them to wear suits when representing the NBA off the floor. Darrell wanted to show solidarity to the players and has worn it ever since.

Of all the superfans, Dez was the only person to talk about numerous personal encounters with Kobe. With her mamba eyes on she spoke about living near Kobe in Corona Del Mar and how being a local helped her get to know Kobe better than most. She has much admiration for Bryant, The greatest and most precious thing to me about Black Mamba is I can call him a friend! I love how when we see each other at home or on the road it gets him hyped and he gives me that killer smile of his and the heart pound.

Graphic designer - Charlie Edmiston has been a life long fan. He lived near Kobe Bryant as a child and remembers it well. He used to live 5 minutes from my house and would sometimes practice on the courts of my old high school. When asked about his favorite fan moment he quickly responds with being at game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Kings in 2002. 8th row with my dad, as Robert Horry hit a 3 to win. It was very epic.

Juanita like many Lakers fans is a diehard life long fan. Her pick for best Lakers of all time are Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant. She has a special affinity for Kobe and lights up at just the mention of his name. Her admiration for him enticed her to write this original poem: Oh Lakers, how lucky can you be?

To have acquired such a superb player in Kobe

With his help, LA got how may championships in a row?

Its time for all Lakers fans to crow,

Oh yeah! Count em one, two, THREE!

I bet every team wished they had Kobe

But LA is where he decided to play,

Ad where we hope he will ALWAYS Stay!

Kobe, to LA you have brought a lot of happiness

Please stay healthy so we can get more championships!

I know there is no I in Team

But would we have won without him?!

We go forward to the later years

In between 2003-2009, we cried a lot of tears

Thanks for the 2 rings back to back

Lakers are back on top of the pack!

Thank you Kobe, you spoiled us for years

When you leave, we will shed many tears!

Juanita wrote this prior to this year and is absolutely frustrated by the current season. She can be heard yelling at her tv every game. Shes hopeful for a playoff season.

Going to Clippers games and supporting the LA franchise is a family matter for The Chus. Back in 1991, Mr. Chu won a pair of season tickets to a game and theyve been diehard fans ever since. The best part of having season tickets? Ricky tells us, There are so many things. I guess the best part is meeting so many Clippers fans. For the longest time, we would all do our own thing because it was kind of a joke to be a Clippers fan. But now we have a whole section just filled with awesome people. It's great. We are truly like a family. Aside from that, the Clippers MVPs do such a great job taking care of us season ticket holders. We feel like we are part of the team. My friends are always jealous of all of the access we have to players and events.

There isnt a list of ways on how to become a superfan. Everyone finds their unique way of showing support for teams they love and some just take it to a whole other level. Keith Brown is one of these people. He loves his Clippers so much he commissioned his jeweler to create a custom Clippers logo pendant he wears to games. Yes folks, its real.

Jack Esensten and his family started coming to the games in 1984 when the Clippers moved to LA from San Diego. He was one of the original season ticket holders, proud to take up 8 seats in section 2 at the Sports Arena. The family has passed down this love for Clippers basketball through the generations and now Jack enjoys games with his 4 grandkids. Inside The LA Memorial Sports Arena, Jack and his family reminisce of their old seats in section 2. Pictured from left to right: Teri, Deena, Morgan, Jack, Cami, Stella, Randi, and Matthew.

Derek Matthewson, aka Laker Sparrow, is known to have the second largest Lakers memorabilia collection in California. Hes a fun-loving character with a complete passion for the LA Lakers and music. Here is a partial view of a wall filled with 48 autographed basketballs that have been encased and labeled.

Via laweekly.com

34 year-old UCLA alumni Gabriel and Adrian Hernandezare fraternal twins that have done everything together includingdorming at college. They are really excited about the star studdedlineup this year and the depth on the bench. Both brothers areconfident there is a championship just around the corner. The twins have been fans since 1988 when they were in 4th grade. Adrian explains that their father always rooted for the underdogs and viewed the Clippers as a blue collar team, the peoples team.