The Clippers title window closed?

[OkcSinceSGA]

Not closed, slammed shut.

They will get 1 pick of their own out of their next 4 drafts until 2026 and can start rebuilding in 2027, and with a little luck could be relevant again as early as 2033 if everything goes to plan.

Completely agree, but maybe like 2030 or 2031 if super lucky in the draft.

[OkcSinceSGA]

It's big news whenever Kawhi plays a game, so yeah they never had a window. At least Phoenix got a Finals series out of mortgaging their future.

Well and in the case of Phoenix they still have a young trio in Booker, Ayton, Bridges that can make up a core if they get another piece. Clippers can’t build around Mann, Kennard, Diabate, Boston Jr, Zubac etc. They likely would gut the team with these guys going out in trades.

[Scoundreldays]

Yes they have the talent but not the IQ or energy required to compete. Up to me I'd see what I'd start looking at offers for some of their older guys like PG and Morris. Not sure what they would be able to get anything of value though.

You really think their problem is IQ or energy? Not the fact that their stars don't play half the time and their lineup for a given night is in constant flux?

If PG and Kawhi were playing every night and their role players for goodness sake weren't also taking games off I'm sure they would be pretty good. They just don't have consistency in who's playing and when at all.

Its all 3 that's why I had PG in a trade. No way Clippers are winning anything with two stars who are super injury prone. Alot of the core is getting older as well and get killed by athletic teams.

I say IQ because this team relies heavily on isos and jump shots, many times tough contested shots. If their shots are not falling they are screwed because their lack of facilitators makes it difficult for them to do anything else other than iso or take a contested 3. It leads to forced ugly passes or like last night PG driving into 3 defenders and taking tough shots.

I have no doubt the inconsistency has a huge impact as well but this team seems different from the last few like they are not enjoying playing.

[Johnny Bball]

Not closed, slammed shut.

They will get 1 pick of their own out of their next 4 drafts until 2026 and can start rebuilding in 2027, and with a little luck could be relevant again as early as 2033 if everything goes to plan.

Completely agree, but maybe like 2030 or 2031 if super lucky in the draft.

Just go back to the old flipidty flopidy and change your name again for 8-10 years.

[DonaldSanders]

...

Hey man I was wanting to ask... has it occurred to you that you could just have a user name that doesn't reference a particular team? I know you have another name request pending right now and it seems like for the number of times you've changed it it would make sense to just call yourself something non-team-specific at this point.

I liked Zimpy's suggestion of ClipsAndSGAFan, it's all in one that won't need to get changed

[hippesthippo]

Are people really complaining that someone with the name clipsfanAGAIN stops being a clipsfan? How else could one become a fan again?

The name was meant to be a joke… I was a Clippers fan exclusively for 23 seasons. Then decided I enjoy watching OKC more. I started really following them because of my love for SGA’s game. I continue watching both teams, but changed my name back hoping to gear up for a title run. Then this season the Clippers have sucked the joy out of everything, while the Thunder have grown tremendously.

It’s really not that big of a deal. Even when I switch, I’m going to keep an eye on the Clips, I’m just going to give them a lot less time.

I don't see the big deal either. I assume most people taking the time to post on an NBA message board follow more than one team. Particularly, if your hometown team has a history of frustration. Or you simply don't feel like supporting what they're doing at the time.

This year I've watched about an equal amount of Nuggets and Pistons games, but that certainly wasn't true for the prior 3 years. Gores is a piece of work. District Detroit has failed to keep their promise of renovating the area around the arena [which was partially funded with $400 million worth of taxpayer money]. And the team has been straight up horrible for over a decade.

I think it's ridiculous to deride someone for watching a team outside of their hometown, whatever the reason may be. A username is just a username.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Yes they have the talent but not the IQ or energy required to compete. Up to me I'd see what I'd start looking at offers for some of their older guys like PG and Morris. Not sure what they would be able to get anything of value though.

You really think their problem is IQ or energy? Not the fact that their stars don't play half the time and their lineup for a given night is in constant flux?

If PG and Kawhi were playing every night and their role players for goodness sake weren't also taking games off I'm sure they would be pretty good. They just don't have consistency in who's playing and when at all.

Its all 3 that's why I had PG in a trade. No way Clippers are winning anything with two stars who are super injury prone. Alot of the core is getting older as well and get killed by athletic teams.

I say IQ because this team relies heavily on isos and jump shots, many times tough contested shots. If their shots are not falling they are screwed because their lack of facilitators makes it difficult for them to do anything else other than iso or take a contested 3. It leads to forced ugly passes or like last night PG driving into 3 defenders and taking tough shots.

I have no doubt the inconsistency has a huge impact as well but this team seems different from the last few like they are not enjoying playing.

There are absolutely IQ and effort issues. You are correct

[hippesthippo]

Not closed, slammed shut.

They will get 1 pick of their own out of their next 4 drafts until 2026 and can start rebuilding in 2027, and with a little luck could be relevant again as early as 2033 if everything goes to plan.

Completely agree, but maybe like 2030 or 2031 if super lucky in the draft.

Just go back to the old flipidty flopidy and change your name again for 8-10 years.

I know they don't control their own picks, but what's preventing them from trading the players they currently have and accumulating draft assets that way? The team has a number of players that would still fetch a solid return.

[bisme37]

...

Hey man I was wanting to ask... has it occurred to you that you could just have a user name that doesn't reference a particular team? I know you have another name request pending right now and it seems like for the number of times you've changed it it would make sense to just call yourself something non-team-specific at this point.

“Number of times” being twice in like 8 years lol. Ya’ll act like I’ve been doing this every year. If I was planning on switching again, I’d agree. But this change is permanent. I do know you’re genuinely asking the question though, and I hear ya man.

ClipsFanSince98
OKCfanSinceSGA
Wall_to_Clips
ClipsFanAgain
And now something else if they approve it

All in the last 2 years, not 8. So you are actually doing it more than once a year.

I was honestly just trying to be helpful though. Do your thing I guess.

[Dadouv47]

Presti has a history of robbing other GM’s .. but the SGA and multiple first rounders for George might be his best trade.

from a result oriented point of view yeah but he had ton of leverage to get everything he can from the Clippers because they wanted to pair PG13 and Kawhi.

Westbrook trade to Houston is more impressive. Morey knew he was gonna trade Westbrook after trading PG13 and Presti was still able to get the better player (CP3), two FRPs and two swaps. That trade ultimately won't be that good since we lost the lottery coin flip in the 2021 draft and the 2024 pick might not convey but still, that's high robbery with no leverage at all.

[Dadouv47]

btw I don't think their title window is closed but they need to be healthy at the right time (in the same way AD was healthy during the 2020 bubble)

[SK21209]

Does anyone else feel like NBA time has flown by since the pandemic? This is the 4th year with Kawhi and PG on the team, which is crazy to me. Same for LeBron and AD. When you think of it as the 4th season of what already started as a veteran team, it's not shocking that they've been lackluster. Same with teams like Miami or even the Bucks, the core guys have been doing this for a while now so collective decline shouldn't be shocking.

[Sofia]

...

Hey man I was wanting to ask... has it occurred to you that you could just have a user name that doesn't reference a particular team? I know you have another name request pending right now and it seems like for the number of times you've changed it it would make sense to just call yourself something non-team-specific at this point.

Nah lean into it, change it every season

[OkcSinceSGA]

Hey man I was wanting to ask... has it occurred to you that you could just have a user name that doesn't reference a particular team? I know you have another name request pending right now and it seems like for the number of times you've changed it it would make sense to just call yourself something non-team-specific at this point.

“Number of times” being twice in like 8 years lol. Ya’ll act like I’ve been doing this every year. If I was planning on switching again, I’d agree. But this change is permanent. I do know you’re genuinely asking the question though, and I hear ya man.

ClipsFanSince98
OKCfanSinceSGA
Wall_to_Clips
ClipsFanAgain
And now something else if they approve it

All in the last 2 years, not 8. So you are actually doing it more than once a year.

I was honestly just trying to be helpful though. Do your thing I guess.

I created an account for Wall that we shut down. But you’re right, 3 in 8 years, 2 in a year. I know you meant it nicely. I could do a non NBA or specific name.

[Ckay]

...

Hey man I was wanting to ask... has it occurred to you that you could just have a user name that doesn't reference a particular team? I know you have another name request pending right now and it seems like for the number of times you've changed it it would make sense to just call yourself something non-team-specific at this point.

“Number of times” being twice in like 8 years lol. Ya’ll act like I’ve been doing this every year. If I was planning on switching again, I’d agree. But this change is permanent. I do know you’re genuinely asking the question though, and I hear ya man.

What was changing to "Wall_to_Clips" about? Were you that excited for John Wall?

[Johnny Bball]

Completely agree, but maybe like 2030 or 2031 if super lucky in the draft.

Just go back to the old flipidty flopidy and change your name again for 8-10 years.

I know they don't control their own picks, but what's preventing them from trading the players they currently have and accumulating draft assets that way? The team has a number of players that would still fetch a solid return.

You can't tank if you don;t own your picks. And doing that makes your competition better.

[Wammy Giveaway]

The Clipper's title window will be permanently shut if and only if one of their players gets ejected from a game.

They are one of twelve teams remaining to not have an ejection this season. They've had games where there were multiple technical fouls with at least one flagrant foul sprinkled in for good measure. But in spite of their mediocre record, their lack of availability, and their inability to take competition seriously, the Clippers have miraculously stayed away from ejections. That's a sign of mental toughness, something the Clippers have lacked for decades, perhaps ever since Donald Sterling owned the franchise.

But the way they're avoiding ejections is out of fear, not toughness. They're afraid that if a player gets ejected from a game, the Clipper's nice-guy image will be ruined, and the criticisms of their approach to the season will be validated in such a negative light that they'd be willing to blow it all up in the name of good P.R. Clippers are still letting personal emotions get in the way of business; they care more about being loved and not portrayed as the same old losers of the Sterling era.

There is a way for the Clippers to break the cycle: face their fear. But it would require one of their superstars or core pieces to get ejected from a game. Everyone will say "the Clippers are finished, tank, miss the playoffs, yada-yada-yada." But it can also be used to make a major statement to the franchise, something that would force the Clippers to wake up and not be mothered by their own feelings, what the world thinks of them.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Hey man I was wanting to ask... has it occurred to you that you could just have a user name that doesn't reference a particular team? I know you have another name request pending right now and it seems like for the number of times you've changed it it would make sense to just call yourself something non-team-specific at this point.

“Number of times” being twice in like 8 years lol. Ya’ll act like I’ve been doing this every year. If I was planning on switching again, I’d agree. But this change is permanent. I do know you’re genuinely asking the question though, and I hear ya man.

What was changing to "Wall_to_Clips" about? Were you that excited for John Wall?

I was banned.. and made secondary account. It’s banned now. Yes, I thought he would help a lot. Obviously I was very wrong.

[Ballerhogger]

SGA has more points combined than Kawhi and pg … they lack the depth they had a year ago .

[PaulKellerman]

The title window slammed shut when Pandemic P made an appearance and hit the side of the backboard