Kawhi Leonard (right) and Paul George laugh as they listen to Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer speak during their introductory news conference on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Photo: VCG

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George made their debuts Wednesday as Los Angeles Clippers teammates, vowing to turn their hometown club into an NBA champion and eclipse city rival Lakers.

"We're not looking at the Battle of LA. We've got bigger goals in mind," George said. "We're not thinking about the Lakers shadow. We want to be holding that trophy and we'll build up Clipper Nation along the way."

Leonard made the biggest free agent signing in the NBA this month by leaving the Toronto Raptors after leading them to the NBA title while George was obtained in a blockbuster trade deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder at Leonard's request.

"I'm on my next journey," Leonard said. "These guys have got a great future. Paul is a player I always wanted to play with. Both LA guys. Played down the street from each other. Now we're on the Clippers. We've got something speical. I think we can make history."

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's high-octane introduction video became a quick social media sensation, the 63-year-old former Microsoft chief executive screaming and yelling his joy and excitement about his club ­suddenly becoming a prime NBA contender for the first time.

"I'm just fired up to be here today," Ballmer yelled. "It's pretty cool. It's pretty damn cool."

In a much more low-key manner, George and Leonard also showed their excitement about what the future has in store for them and the Clippers as they accepted blue Clippers jerseys, George No.13 and Leonard No.2.

"I'm extremely happy and extrmely excited to be back home," George said after thanking the Thunder for making the trade deal. "Ultimately they helped me find my way back to LA. I'm pretty appreciative of that."

The Clippers are second favorites among Caesar's Palace sportsbook NBA championship oddsmakers at 7-2, trailing only the 3-1 odds for the Lakers, who boast LeBron James and Anthony Davis plus a host of solid support talent after being unable to add Leonard to their own lineup.

The Lakers have won 16 NBA titles but none since 2010 with retired star guard Kobe Bryant as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

Leonard instead chose a Clippers' squad that has never gone past the second round of the NBA playoffs, never reaching even a conference finals since being formed in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves.

But in each of the past seven seasons, the Clippers won more games than the Lakers, a trend Leonard plans to continue.

"The last few years, the Clippers have been better," Leonard said. "They are going to get the attention - the Lakers have been winning championships for a long time. Who knows how the Clippers will change things over? I'm not focused on that. I just want to win. My goal is just to make us happy. If we're winning and not getting no coverage, that's fine with me."