Despite Billups' injury, there's a different feeling now...
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 10:13 am
...I know Chauncey's potential season-ending injury has put a damper on the win tonight and just the season in general, but let's look at the last couple of season-ending injuries.
- Shaun Livingston breaks kneecap: there was a collective gasp throughout Staples Center that night. It was a feeling I couldn't describe, I wanted to shed a tear. The Clippers never recovered and ended up barely missing the playoffs in '07
- Elton Brand ruptured his achilles' tendon and missed nearly the entire '07-'08 season: when that happened, I knew immediately that our season was over. There was no way around it, it was terrible.
Which leads to Billups' injury. As bad as it is, there's a different feeling this year. We're loaded at the guard spots. We're going after JR Smith. Kenyon Martin will suit up any day now. We have the best PG in the league and one of the best PF's in the league. DJ is the anchor in the middle. Caron is a super solid swingman. We have the assets to obtain a SG. Simply put...this team is built to win. My optimism remains high. I still think this team will get a top 4 seed and can make a lengthy run in the playoffs. I believe we are THAT good.
So please, pray for Chauncey. He's a true pro who's accomplished so much in his storied career. I hope he will play again soon. But at the same time, don't be so down right now. We have much to look forward to. We still have the best Clipper team in history. This is a special unit right here and I would hope for everyone to enjoy the ride.
- Shaun Livingston breaks kneecap: there was a collective gasp throughout Staples Center that night. It was a feeling I couldn't describe, I wanted to shed a tear. The Clippers never recovered and ended up barely missing the playoffs in '07
- Elton Brand ruptured his achilles' tendon and missed nearly the entire '07-'08 season: when that happened, I knew immediately that our season was over. There was no way around it, it was terrible.
Which leads to Billups' injury. As bad as it is, there's a different feeling this year. We're loaded at the guard spots. We're going after JR Smith. Kenyon Martin will suit up any day now. We have the best PG in the league and one of the best PF's in the league. DJ is the anchor in the middle. Caron is a super solid swingman. We have the assets to obtain a SG. Simply put...this team is built to win. My optimism remains high. I still think this team will get a top 4 seed and can make a lengthy run in the playoffs. I believe we are THAT good.
So please, pray for Chauncey. He's a true pro who's accomplished so much in his storied career. I hope he will play again soon. But at the same time, don't be so down right now. We have much to look forward to. We still have the best Clipper team in history. This is a special unit right here and I would hope for everyone to enjoy the ride.