First we had the Raiders. Then the Cowboys made the list. Then the Redwings, the SF Giants, the Phillies, the Chargers, Red Wings, Lakers and Cornhuskers.
Over the years Denver fans have had plenty of teams to hate.
Now we can add the Clippers.
In an NBA Western Conference where the winds of change are blowing, the traditional powers are giving ground to the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets and the Clippers.
Yes, the Clippers.
Los Angeles' "other team" had been anything but relevant until recently. But, with the emergence of Blake Griffin and the additions of Chris Paul and the surprisingly youthful Chauncey Billups, the Clippers are surpassing the Lakers inside their own division.
Each team residing in the City of Angels has amassed 13 wins on the young season, but the Clippers have dropped only six games to the Lakers' nine.
A rivaly between the co-inhabitants of Staples Center in only natural. After all, unlike other professional teams that share a building, such as the Jets and Giants of the NFL, the Clippers and the Lakers are are competing for the same playoff bid. One or the other will win it, too. There's no doubt about that.
Less natural is the rivalry that is brewing between the Clippers and Denver Nuggets. There were several decades during which neither squad was worthy of mention. Yet, here they are, battling one another for the second time in the regular season and sizing each other up for a likely match-up in the playoffs.
Watching home town hero Chauncey Billups leading the Clippers offense has Nuggets fans seeing red. The King of Park Hill has become the Prince of Pasadena.
The Nugs hold a slight edge over the Clips at this point. They're 14-7 while LA is 13-6. That edge will be reversed if the Nuggets flounder tonight at Staples.
Within this shortened 2012 season many games will be considered must-win. Tonight's is among them.
The Nuggets have dropped their last two and can ill afford to stretch the streak to three.
As a winter storm gathers over Denver tonight will be a great night to nestle by the fire and watch the Denver Nuggets battle a brand new rival.
And hopefully come away with a much-needed win.
