By George, This Is Really Unbelievable for the Lakers

I can’t imagine anyone being a bigger fan of the Clippers and Lakers these days than USC Coach Pete Carroll, hoping the teams meet in the playoffs and draw all the media attention in town.

The rest of us are excited for other reasons, of course, especially after Sunday’s draining, lucky victory by the Lakers, which included the first miracle I have witnessed in my life: Back-to-back three-pointers in a critical situation by Devean George, and one more later with the game on the line.

“Why are you here talking to me?” George wanted to know after the game, and all I could think of was something Jack Buck had said while watching Kirk Gibson’s home run: “I don’t believe what I just saw.”

It has to be fate, destiny’s declaration that the Lakers are supposed to play the Clippers in the playoffs, and we all know who would win that series.

Then I really like the Clippers’ chances of pulling an upset, beating San Antonio and playing for the NBA title.

*

THE FOLKS who run Staples Center are already wrestling with what to call the first playoff meeting between the Lakers and Clippers, Billy Crystal telling a Clipper TV audience last week he was looking forward to the “Hallway Series.”

My suggestion: “Beat L.A.,” which works for both teams, and the fans supporting the team that does lose can always sell their T-shirts to fans across the country who will need them sooner or later.

T-shirts and other merchandise -- with whatever clever saying the Anschutz Empire decides to market, and it will undoubtedly make some kind of reference to the building they are playing in -- will be sold to the public seconds after both teams have clinched. A new T-shirt for Clipper fans, of course, is like getting a new wardrobe.

A year from now, though, those left unsold will be available at half price, just like the No. 8 Laker jerseys, but that’s another ridiculous story for another day.

As tough tickets go, how much tougher can they get than this? It’s UCLA-USC, but in this case both teams have the chance to win.

I just wonder if the Clippers will be agreeable to giving tickets to Jack Nicholson. They may not want Jack to overshadow Frankie Muniz. If he does get an invite, I just hope someone tells Jack what Frankie does for a living in case they run into each other.

Victory means much more to the Clippers. Every victory is a banner now. The next one gives the Clippers their first playoff series win in 30 years.

You might even see fans driving around town with Clipper flags on their cars when they eliminate the Lakers. Crazy? Any crazier than George saving the day?

*

ADAM MORRISON was sitting in the third row and if he was a Suns’ fan, I’ll bet he could’ve just cried.

*

JOE GRANDE, who does a radio show for 570, wanted to know from George if it felt as if he were playing “smear the queer” when all the Lakers jumped on Bryant to celebrate his game-winning shot. That seemed to end the interview.

*

WHEN YOU open the Phoenix Suns’ website, it says 1-2 in favor of the Lakers: “Down, but Far From Out.”

Four hours after Sunday’s Laker victory, the site had not been updated. I guess they were out.

*

ABC DID its best to sabotage the Lakers, adding an extra 45 seconds to every commercial break, thereby making it difficult for the Laker crowd to sustain noise and emotional momentum.

A Laker spokesman said TNT and ESPN operate in a similar fashion in the games that start at night, but Sunday’s delays seemed particularly annoying. I guess I should point out that I was sitting next to Jim Hill, and there might be another explanation for the irritation.

*

WHEN SOMEONE mentioned the “Kwame, Kwame” Brown chant that was heard in Staples Center on Friday night, Jackson turned to a reporter before Sunday’s game and said, “You never thought you’d hear that, did you?” which prompted me to ask him, “Did you?”

Jackson smiled somewhat sheepishly, muttering something about, “I hoped I would.”

Later I asked whether he’d like to hear “Phil, Phil” chants.

“No,” he said, “that would be embarrassing.”

To help him out, I told him then I wouldn’t be the one to start any kind of “Phil, Phil” chants.

*

JACKSON WENT out of his way when he noticed Miss Radio Personality in the Laker locker room, and I don’t ever recall seeing him go out of his way for anyone. He walked over to her, introduced himself -- and speaking now as a father, that was a classy act, although the daughter did chastise him for not doing the father/daughter radio gabfest, which then had Jackson almost running out of the locker room.

*

YOU PUT together Dodger catcher Dioner Navarro, who is 0 for 12 trying to throw out runners stealing bases, and Angel catcher Jeff Mathis, who is hitting .108, and you’ve got to feel pretty good about the job you’re doing these days.

*

TODAY’S LAST word comes in e-mail from Tarek Hallak:

“I’m sure you and Shaq were watching this game on your couches like the fatties you guys are. No doubt you guys were hoping the Suns would win, Kobe would choke and Nash would show you why he’s the MVP. I’m sure you thought the Lakers had no chance, well, do me a favor, buddy ... “

A bigger favor than reading your e-mail as far as I did?

*

T.J. Simers can be reached at t.j.simers@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Simers, go to latimes.com/simers.