Arash Markazi, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Doc hopes to build a fan base like Lakers'

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers might be 5-16, but Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers is impressed the Lakers have been able to sell out every game this season and hopes his team can build a fan base like that one day.

Rivers was at Staples Center as a fan on Sunday night to watch his son, Austin, and the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Lakers. The Pelicans beat the Lakers 104-87, but Rivers left with a newfound appreciation for Lakers fans, who he said "were very nice" to him.

"One of the things I was impressed with was how crowded it was," Rivers said. "When you have the record that they have it says a lot about their fan base and their loyalty. I thought that was impressive. I went through that in Boston and I was always amazed by how crowded it was every night. Celtics fans showed up every night whether we were winning or losing and Lakers fans are doing that too.

"There's not a lot of fan bases in our league or any league that would do that, and I think that's something that we would love to be able to achieve someday. I don't want to do that part -- the losing -- to find out, but I thought that that was very impressive."

The Clippers have sold out 153 consecutive games dating back to Feb. 2, 2011.

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