Game 1: Los Angeles Lakers (0-0) @ Los Angeles Clippers (0-0) - 10:30 PM

[ducler]

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[Wammy Giveaway]

Seven years ago, a new Clipper era was conceived. With the help of David Stern, the despicable Donald Sterling was gifted Chris Paul, one of the greatest point guards of this generation, who would instantly turn a low-life franchise into a living commodity. The pairing of Paul and their coveted no. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin brought about the rise of Lob City and its first ever true taste of sustained success along with it. Alas the Clippers were still plagued by their own shortcomings, including the owner's cruel intentions, coach Doc River's task as a multi-tasker, and the fighting and frustrations inside the locker room. After six eventful but heartbreaking exits with no trips to the western conference finals, even after a forced change in ownership from Sterling to Steve Ballmer, the Clippers were still the Clippers: they were still losers, caught between hype and desperation. The remedy required giving up their saviors, a scary proposition for a team just realizing the definition of success, but the fear of a second long playoff drought that could stretch to sixteen years, to go along with the resurgence of their arch nemesis Big Brother Lakers, terrified them even more.

Jerry West, the architect behind the dynasties of the Shaq-Kobe Lakers and the Curry-Thompson-Green Warriors, was the perfect man to shake the Clippers out of their worries. All the traits that Sterling embodied should have left when Sterling left, but the 3-1 collapse to Rockets and DeAndre Jordan's decision to join the Mavericks, Doc River's hubris as coach/GM/father, and the inexplicable losses to lottery teams revealed a dysfunction whose foundation was laid as far back to when Sterling first bought the team in 1981. West had to show the Clippers what it meant to be an NBA franchise, what it took to win, who their opponents were, and most importantly, how to not let personal emotions and attachments get in the way of business. Paul going to a contender was practically coming, let alone the very team who conjured the 3-1 collapse, but having to give up their beloved savior Griffin for the good of the future was devastating. The Clippers cried a river of tears watching him shipped to Detroit, finally realizing the errors of their ways too little too late. West may have been cold in yanking away their security blanket, but he was calm and sure, the pain in the heart today will pass by tomorrow. That tomorrow is today.

Led by a no-star bunch I dubbed The Revenge Of The Role Players, the Clippers went to work on the small things, the simpler things, the solid things. The things that only San Antonio were capable of doing all on account of having a good heart. There were no players who Doc could cling to as a lucky charm like Paul Pierce or his other former Celtics. There were no superstars on the roster, every player was a role player coming off the bench, miscast, misunderstood, and betrayed in the name of power. Every opponent was an instant challenge on the difficulty chart, and with the Clippers now a part of the lottery team group, they were forced to take competition seriously. Even a subtle act of kindness like Doc congratulating Dirk Nowitzki during his retirement tour served to change the Clipper's demeanor left behind by Lob City. Losing to the Warriors in a hard-fought playoff series let alone facing their demons was something Lob City seemed reluctant of doing, but the Revenge Of The Role Players were not afraid of being swept, in fact, stealing Game 2 on the road with a miracle 31-point comeback against the defending champions. These Clippers were respectful, relentless and humble, the very qualities that admired Kawhi Leonard to join them, and though they lost in the 1st round, their Good Samaritan qualities was all the proof he needed, not past championships (Lakers), not a previous championship (Raptors), not even elongated success (Spurs).

Now the perilous 82-game season begins, starting with a regular season standing from across the hall. The Lakers will look to stuff their Little Brother in the losing column like they've done years and decades prior, but this Clippers version is not of Lob City, or the ad-hoc Frankenstein creation of a Tokowitz. This is a Clippers team whose new face of the franchise forced parity throughout the league by defeating the Warriors in their Ultimate form while giving his future team a puncher's chance through fair play. This is a Clippers team with a New Balance: the Grit N Grind of the Grizzlies, the Heart N Hustle of the Magic, and the Good Samaritan Spurs. No lobs, no clamps, no complaints. The Clippers now aim to be bosses for the first time in their franchise history while hoping that the 29 other teams in the league finally bow down to them.

Welcome... to Boss Angeles.

[esqtvd]

some pregame hype for those champing at the bit

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[50CalClips]

It's about to get real.

[50CalClips]

What to expect...?!?

I get the feeling that Ivica Zubac (sounds like "e-pizza zoo-bots") will try to prove something this game. He'll either foul out by halftime or have a big double-double game.

Kawhi will look like this is just another game.

Shamet and JaMychal, will they establish our own version of the 'splash brothers', I wonder.


EDIT:
Lou Williams will be the go-to guy (particularly with George's absence).

Any concerted efforts in drawing fouls on AD, early? (not sure how wise that'd be, but that's what Coach 50CalClips would do)

[esqtvd]

Paul going to a contender was practically coming, let alone the very team who conjured the 3-1 collapse, but having to give up their beloved savior Griffin for the good of the future was devastating. The Clippers cried a river of tears watching him shipped to Detroit

I don't remember anyone shedding a tear at losing any of them, especially since we got actual value back for CP and BG. DJ and JJ got their money elsewhere and I think we were all relieved it wasn't us paying it. And nobody was more relieved at getting rid of Austin than Doc and Austin themselves, I think.


I look back on 5 straight years of 50+ wins [plus a strike-shortened 40-22 campaign] quite fondly, especially compared with the 25 mostly horrid years that came before it. And frankly, I think we got lucky getting so much back for CP and BG. Morey and Van Gundy were desperate to do something, and we were in the right place at the right time with the right assets. Had we not got so much back, saying goodbye would have been much more bittersweet.

But as it stands, it was QUITE sweet LOL.

[Wammy Giveaway]

I don't remember anyone shedding a tear at losing any of them, especially since we got actual value back for CP and BG. DJ and JJ got their money elsewhere and I think we were all relieved it wasn't us paying it. And nobody was more relieved at getting rid of Austin than Doc and Austin themselves, I think.

I was just being animated there. There were some reports about how hard it was for franchise to let him go, but I wanted to write it in such a way that portrayed Clippers in a Joni Mitchell "Got Til Its Gone" scenario. Remember that the Griffin trade was a Jerry West move, one which Ballmer was reluctant to pull the trigger on at first.

[mttwlsn16]

I was stoked about opening night.

I won't be watching. Baby decided tonight would be the night he's born lol. We're at the hospital now.

Hope we win by 40!

[nickhx2]

congrats and gl

[clipsfever]

Doc is going to start Pat Pat at PF

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All I want is 6 hard, but not dirty, fouls on Brow and Bron

[esqtvd]

Ballmer Inc.'s Cliches and Exhortations Dept. been working overtime

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I'm all for the teamwork thing but going off for 40 and 20 is good too

[esqtvd]

good one Justin

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_____________________

ADD:

soon
just hang in there boys

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_____________________

ADD ADD:

me likes


Ramona Shelburne
@ramonashelburne
The Clippers “selfies” —which cover up the Lakers/Sparks/Kings/TSwift banners at Staples Center have been replaced with this:

[UKClipperfan]

lets get this started

[50CalClips]

Celebs in the crowd?

Good gauge for how hyped this game is.

[50CalClips]

"TEAM DESTINY!"

[nickhx2]

wouldn't first laker game of the season have a buncha celebs anyway, regardless of who they played?

[50CalClips]

This might be the team that I most feel ownership of, across any sport, any year..

[50CalClips]

Eye on the size/reach disparity

[TheNewEra]

Not a great start at all

[esqtvd]

Eye on the size/reach disparity

and weight

Lakers posting up 5 guys

Zubac and Shamet still poo
Trezz and Lou to the rescue

our starters were never going to win that battle
we have to beat 'em with depth


all this and Allie LaForce too
it's not all bad