Farewell to Clips Nation - ClipperSteve is Moving On
by Steve Perrin on Apr 1, 2009 11:45 PM PDT
in News
Email
PrintWhen I started blogging almost three years ago, the Clippers were in the playoffs and writing about them was fun. As hobbies go, it was time-consuming, but quite rewarding. When my little blogspot hideout was 'discovered' by SBNation and I was recruited to the world of big time blogging (such as it is), I was at first bemused by the 'contract' that I signed. Nine posts a week? Um, yeah, I think I can handle that. Previews and recaps? I can write those in my sleep. No problem.
I'm guessing (hoping?) that it's not been the inception of ClipsNation.com that has caused the Clippers to revert to their horrible, terrible, no good, very bad ways. Still, the trend is hard to ignore - 27, 28, 37 and 47 wins in four years B.C. (before Clips Nation), 40, 23 and (so far) 18 in three years A.D. (after doofus here started a blog).
It's taken a toll on me - this season in particular. I realized when I was in Seattle last weekend, not watching games, not writing recaps - I felt different. I felt happier. I'm not going to say that the blog has been depressing - but being away from it for a few days was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. Sleepy? Go to bed. No recap to write tonight.
The ClipperWidow (soon to be the ClipperWife again) has for years told me I needed to move on. She despises Donald Sterling and is completely convinced that karma will never allow a team owned by so vile a person to succeed on any level. She may have a point.
Sometimes you don't get to choose the team you support. I'm a Clippers fan, and it's hard to imagine that changing. But at the same time, I can't see myself devoting this much time to my 'hobby' for another three years. And if that's the case, then when is the right time to leave?
For me, I've decided the right time is now. This owner, this coach, last off-season, this team, these 'stars'... they've all conspired to sap my joie de vivre. Writing about the Clippers is no longer fun. It's work. I'm in grad school now, and blogging helped get me there. I've worked on my writing almost every day for three years, and that's been useful to be certain. Blogging helped me accomplish many things, but I don't know how much more I can grow with it.
I'm not sure what's going to happen to Clips Nation at this point. I haven't really thought this through. But I know I'm done with the blogging gig.
It's been fun citizens.
31 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
thanks steve
i wrote you an email a week ago saying thanks for all you’ve done for clipper fans all over. if i had known that you would be retiring a week letter, I probably would have laid more love on you. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I know I’m thankful, and no hard feelings whatsoever. You’re work on this forum has gone above and beyond. xo
Fondly,
Marek
oh man
hope i didnt just make a fool out of myself
by MarekTheBrave on Apr 1, 2009 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions
it has to be a april fools joke
clippersteve is the only person i look forward to reading after a game….please tell me it isnt so
Nice Job
It made me think of life without Clipsnation, and that would definitely put a dent into my quality of life.
Please be april fools
I was terribly sad when I read this, then I realized it’s April Fools and I’m a bit hopeful that this is a prank. However, this sounds serious. Please don’t go we need you.
hopefully yes
lol, everyone is kinda worried its serious….as am I.
This is going to be my team, and we're going to rise together.
-Clipper Darrell
Yes, please let it be april fools....
The truth is, we’d all be probably more productive than wasting countless hours weekly on this blog…but since I stumbled on Clips Nation 1.5 years ago by combining “Blog” and “Clippers”, on Google, it’s been like heaven. This blog and the writings of CS, Zhiv, Jax, John R, Jax, etc, are really insightful. I’m really glad the Clips have intelligent fans who know about basketball and how the NBA works. Thanks to you guys, it’s an honor to be a fan of this. team.
The mood of the fan:
Honestly, things have been going steadily downhill since that fateful night of Shaun Livingston’s knee injury. Shaun represented a hope for the organization, the Golden Child that would lead the Clippers from the shadows of the Lakers, to the forefront of the NBA. It sounds silly, but in a way, he was our LeBron James. He would lead us to the Finals and never look back. The organization has just suffered blow after blow since that night. Before then, things were looking bright, the Clips went to the playoffs the year before, and they were the better team to call Staples home. Now, we are no better than the Grizz, Kings or TWolves…just crappy teams trying to rebuild slowly without the services of any Messiah. Let’s have another good draft………Go Clips.
This is going to be my team, and we're going to rise together.
-Clipper Darrell
I remember last year
CS joked that he was going to start rooting for the lakers, so I’m guessing this is a joke too. But man, the tone from top to bottom makes you nervous.
Thank You
If you are truly done CS, thank you for the excellent blogging and for finally setting us free from Clipper Tyranny. Even after moving to NY, I have been addicted to the Clippers, trying to figure out how to kick the habit. Maybe your example can lead me to the light!
by Citizen Roy G Biv on Apr 2, 2009 6:41 AM PDT reply actions
Just my two cents
If you realized last week in Seattle that you were happier not watching the games/not writing the recaps, then I am truly happy for you for making a tough decision to hang it up. Sports is supposed to be fun. Sports is one of the few things that give me pure enjoyment. It is an escape for me, its not real. I can root very hard for the Clippers and discuss there every move or I can ignore them for two years—- regardless of what I do, it has absolutely zero effect. Contrasting that with the decisions I make in my life regarding my family, job, etc, I appreciate that sports is the opposite of that- and that’s what does it for me.
As oasisman said above, since I stumbled on Clips Nation it has made me a smarter fan and a happier fan knowing there is a community out there of fans like me. Since there is no beat writer for the Clips, I come in every morning and read Steve’s recaps—- its good stuff man. In any event, my hats off to you CS, you left your mark and you’re moving on. Cheers.
Oh, and if this is a joke, you nailed it.
by Michael White on Apr 2, 2009 7:41 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Bingo
I think I can speak for everyone when I say that Clips Nation has helped us all get through this God forsaken season. Every day we look forward to hearing your takes and sharing our own. Whether the Clippers have just lost another tough game (like last night against New Orleans), or in the rare case when they pull off a victory (Steve Novak’s 3 at the buzzer against Toronto), all of us head straight for Clips Nation.
And for what it is worth, if it was a joke….you got me.
so you expect me to actually work while I am at the office!?
this has to be an April’s fool joke!…I too remember CS saying he was rooting for the lakers last year and the tone of that post did not have me as worried as this post does…Maybe Zhiv, jax or john r will take over the helm…
Say it ain't so!!!
The only fun in the world of Clips has been this blog.
Well written, insightful, funny.
CS may be right though, time to move on and invest time in something of value.
And it ain’t that stinking pile of Clippers.
Thank you CS for taking this step before season ticket renewal.
You rock.
I get this
Î have the same reasons Dwyer has for not getting, why one would follow the Clips. Yet, I still rather rooted for them than that purple bunch. But by now, I can totally understand what’s going on with Steve. And this looks too much like April 2nd, and no fooling to me. Woah. The Clips really have it bad.
by Headless Chicken on Apr 2, 2009 9:12 AM PDT reply actions
Good Riddance
Finally, my chance to take over the Clips Nation blogging world.
Mu-ha-ha-ha-HA!
"This kid is the best new talent in the league right now, and I don't care who else you mention." -Suns Coach, Alvin Gentry, on Clippers rookie sensation, Eric Gordon.
Always in agreement, to the end
I’m done too. What he said. Had the exact same revelation missing the San Antonio game.
Zhiv out.
You know that's fake b/c
Zhiv’s real farewell would be at least 15 paragraphs long ;-)
by Jax on Apr 2, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2HAroA12w
"This kid is the best new talent in the league right now, and I don't care who else you mention." -Suns Coach, Alvin Gentry, on Clippers rookie sensation, Eric Gordon.
if true, then thanks and good luck
a great, great blog
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
