Training Center Complete -- Updated W/ Pics!

[mkwest]

The Los Angeles Clippers new practice facility has finally been completed. The Clippers have been one of the few teams in the league without a true home for the players. That's all changed with their state of the art building in Playa del Rey.

To date, the team has held practices at a Spectrum Club in Manhattan Beach and held their training camp in Santa Barbara.

Next week they'll open their doors to the media and then begin camp in Playa.

For the casual fan (or detractor) who might suggest the team would be better served moving out of Los Angeles (to Orange County or beyond) to get out from under the shadow of the LA Lakers, the Clippers are absolutely committed to staying in town. They have a lengthy lease at STAPLES Center and are firmly entrenched in Playa del Rey.

The team has yet to make an official announcement regarding the practice facility.

Eric Pincus, Hoopsworld

[cinnamon]

.
I'm really glad that the guys have this terrific place to train in.
Do we know whether any of them are there training yet?

.

[JJ LoDuca]

I'm glad the team is saying that they don't ever intend on moving out of LA. That would just be embarrassing.

[mkwest]

.
I'm really glad that the guys have this terrific place to train in.
Do we know whether any of them are there training yet?

.

Yahoo has mentioned players have been there prepping for the season, but I'm not sure how long or how many.

After so many delays, I'm just glad that it's finally opening. I remember reading/watching about Maggette when he first joined the Warriors, and he was amazed with their facility, equipment and the access that players were given. It just showed how primitive this franchise has been, but now this team is looking like they are finally catching up with everyone else.

[GuyverX]

Finally! This is another large step this summer to transform this franchise into a legitimate place to attract free agents and keep current players happy. It was just sad they had to go to some sports club to practice.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I'm glad it's finally done. Once I come back out to Cali I'll have to take a look at it.

[ClipperDomination]

After 568 years, the training center is complete! Hip-Hip-Hooray!

[mkwest]

These pics were posted on another board a few months ago by Number2...any relation thanumba2clippersfan?

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

[mkwest]

A Gym of Their Own
Actually, it's a lot more than a gym for the Clippers.

Took a tour of the Clippers' shiny new training facility last week in Playa Vista -- a few jump shots from LAX -- with Andy Roeser, the team's executive vice president, who is proud of the estimated $50-million project, and rightly so.

No longer will the lack of their own home hurt the Clippers, who formerly used the Spectrum Club South Bay in El Segundo for training purposes. Now this is no cheap shot at the Spectrum Club -- I'm fairly sure it's a lot nicer than my modest health club -- but the Clippers were guests, not owners.

The two-level facility houses the basketball staff and the video/Internet operation on the upper level while the downstairs is devoted to the players and includes two courts and state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment.

Maggette's other comments -- in the blog of my former Times colleague and current San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami -- included complaints about watching film in his Clippers days for "45 minutes before practice." That made me chuckle after having spotted the showpiece theater room (pictured above) in the Clippers' new home last week.

There's a big screen and 25 comfortable seats. All that's missing is the popcorn.

"Where Mike [Dunleavy] does his teaching, sits down, breaks down film and goes over it with players," Roeser said. "This was where he wanted to have a place where he could teach players right off the court."

Sadly, just one season too late for Maggette.

Lisa Dillman, LA Times

[TheNewEra]

A Gym of Their Own
Actually, it's a lot more than a gym for the Clippers.

Took a tour of the Clippers' shiny new training facility last week in Playa Vista -- a few jump shots from LAX -- with Andy Roeser, the team's executive vice president, who is proud of the estimated $50-million project, and rightly so.

No longer will the lack of their own home hurt the Clippers, who formerly used the Spectrum Club South Bay in El Segundo for training purposes. Now this is no cheap shot at the Spectrum Club -- I'm fairly sure it's a lot nicer than my modest health club -- but the Clippers were guests, not owners.

The two-level facility houses the basketball staff and the video/Internet operation on the upper level while the downstairs is devoted to the players and includes two courts and state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment.

Maggette's other comments -- in the blog of my former Times colleague and current San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami -- included complaints about watching film in his Clippers days for "45 minutes before practice." That made me chuckle after having spotted the showpiece theater room (pictured above) in the Clippers' new home last week.

There's a big screen and 25 comfortable seats. All that's missing is the popcorn.

"Where Mike [Dunleavy] does his teaching, sits down, breaks down film and goes over it with players," Roeser said. "This was where he wanted to have a place where he could teach players right off the court."

Sadly, just one season too late for Maggette.

Lisa Dillman, LA Times

Damn that looks sweet.. They could have got a bigger TV though

Nice to know the team has their own domain to rest up from long road trips.

I wonder what is all in there?

I can already see B-Diddy bringing the Wii after video sessions and pluging it up to the TV.This is going to be sweet. Go Clippers!!!!!!!

[scratch21]

does anyone know if you can visit the place like go in or anything..i live like 5 minutes away id like to check it out. and of course see the players

[GuyverX]

^ Why don't you go knock on the front door and find out?

[scratch21]

^ seriously im about to. im not kidding LOL

[mkwest]

Welcome Scratch

It's not the training center but the Clips did have a public scrimmage today at Camp Pendleton.

[scratch21]

thanks man

[illastrate]

http://dailybreeze.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=603932&CategoryID=31661&ListSubAlbums=0

Some more photos of the training center.

[mkwest]

Number2 of Clippers Topbuzz posted these earlier today. Enjoy

You will be greeted by the security guard as you enter the facility


Here is a look at the work out equipment and exercise area









Here's where the trainers will get the players prepped for the game.




Here's the shower area where the shower heads are 9 feet high!




Spas and $250K underwater treadmill




A look inside the locker room




2 full-court gymnasium










Here we have the sound proof Corey Maggette Theater where players and coaches will study game film.







2nd floor conference room


A view of the gym from the 2nd floor






This where the scouts do their homework




This the kitchen area. If you open the refrigerator, you are bound to see a few boxes of chicken fettuccini alfredo from Jenny Craig, or maybe even a squirrel pie. Just kidding Chris

[GuyverX]

What kind of security is this...the guard is sleeping!

Somebody call Sterling.

[mkwest]

What kind of security is this...the guard is sleeping!

Somebody call Sterling.

Nah he wasn't sleeping, he was giving his best Elgin Baylor impression

[mkwest]

Clippers.com finally uploaded some pics