When the Los Angeles Lakers play the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, all 16 championship banners hanging from the Staples Center rafters will belong to the team in the purple and gold.

However, in Kobe Bryant’s opinion, this year’s Clippers team wearing red, white and blue has a real chance at making that count 16-1.

“Oh, for sure. For sure,” Bryant said after practice Thursday when asked if the 25-8 Clippers have legitimate shot at the title. “They’re definitely one of the top contenders.”

via Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles