A Clippers curse?
Rebecca Ahdoot
Staff Writer
When we think of a Los Angeles basketball team, it is no surprise that our minds immediately think of the Lakers. The back-to-back champions are known as glorious, the team Los Angeles takes pride in. But what about Los Angeles’ other team, the Clippers?
This year, the Clippers are currently ranked last place in the NBA, with a record of 2-13. Some say this proves there actually is a “Clippers Curse.”
Early on in the season, the Clippers lost two of their veteran starters, forcing them to play their younger, less experienced players. This is surely the youngest starting lineup in NBA history. Not only are the players new, but the entire coaching staff has been changed, led by Vinny Del Negro.
The “curse” was at its peek last season when it was announced that the first round pick of the 2009 draft, Blake Griffin, would not be able to play in the season due to an extreme knee injury. The hopes of Clipper fans were lost, but not diminished, as they waited and assured themselves, “Next year”.
Fans anticipated the 2010 Clippers to be one of the teams excelling into the playoffs for the first time in many years, due to their new coaching staff and top players, Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. Both averaging about 20 points per game, they are the players keeping the crowd on their feet.
During a recent game against Amare Stoudmire and the New York Knicks, Blake Griffin had a career high 44 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists, along with his “Dunk-a-thon”. Blake’s big night set a new Clipper franchise rookie record.
On November 22, the Clippers defeated the current best team in the league, the New Orleans Hornets (11-2). Toughing it out to the last seconds of the game, the Clippers finally broke their losing streak, which had been running since November 8.
So, how does the worst team in the NBA beat the team with the best record?
“We just kept going in the third quarter,” said Griffin in his on-court TV interview, while also crediting the younger players on the team.
Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin are leading the Clippers this year, Griffin leading all rookies in scoring (18.9) and rebounding (11.0). This year’s Clippers are a new developing team, fighting to the finish.
Talks about nationalism arise when someone living in Los Angeles speaks against the Lakers, but where is the nationalism advocating when it comes to the Clippers?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aspCHyeOLPQ[/youtube]
23048 • Nov 29, 2010 at 10:33 pm
what an awesome video.. griffin’s a beast
23125 • Nov 29, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Lakers>Clippers anyday
Rebecca Ahdoot • Nov 27, 2010 at 1:16 pm
To criticize the management of the Clippers is not what this article is focusing on. Sure Donald Sterling may be an asset to the misfortune of the Clippers, but this article is focused around the Clippers TEAM and PLAYERS. Blake Griffin has brought the utmost hope to the Clippers team and fans and this is changing the Clippers evolution. As for the ‘overweight’ point guard you are referring to-he is no longer overweight nor has he failed as a player. The future of this young team looks bright for now, and will continue to surprise many. So for the Clipper fans out there, keep your heads up high for there is always a new ending to the ‘same old story.’
-Rebecca Ahdoot
Milken Student • Nov 27, 2010 at 12:35 am
Im sorry, this is completely mis informed. The Clippers do not have the youngest starting lineup in NBA history and in fact they do not even posses the youngest starting lineup in the NBA this season. The reason there is a “Clipper Curse” is simply because of poor decision after poor decision made by management. Sure the future looks “Bright”, until the players realize that they are in a habitual sub-500 carousel, allah Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Bobby Simmons. And when the rare occasion arises that Donald Sterling does want to spend money, he spends it on a routinely overweight, injured 28 point guard who has failed to impress-at best. So don’t get your heads to high Clipper Fans, because its always the same story.