OKC 126 - LAC 85
by ClipperChuck on Apr 16, 2009 12:25 AM PDT
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PrintYogi Berra once said "It ain't over till it's over", well thankfully for us it finally is over. This has been a very very trying season for anyone with any ounce of emotional attachment to this "team". I use the phrase "team" loosely as there has been only flashes of any real teamwork throughout the year which certainly played a major role in a team that failed to win 20 games for the year. For those of you who have managed to stick around in our most disappointing season in recent memory (possibly ever) I commend you for your loyalty.
So tonight's game was very interesting. Before tipoff we found out that the Wizards had lost to a Celtics team that played without their big three and were clearly resting their players for their playoff run. This left Clipper Nation in a dilemma, a win would dampen our chances of obtaining the one no-brainer pick in the upcoming draft while a loss would prevent us from reaching the pathetically low-standard 20 win season. Without question a loss would be more beneficial to our team in the long-term but isn't the essence of sports to compete on any given night no matter the stakes? Karma, professional responsibility a myriad of things would suggest we should play the game as if it meant something, if nothing else to show some level of appreciation for the fans.
Well, fortunately (or more likely unfortunately) such notions of self-respect and pride do not apply to our current roster. The Clippers played as if the season was already over. When there were loose balls to be won the team chasing them was the team already up 20+ points. Ironically, today was fan appreciation day but it appeared to be such in name only. No one in their right mind would say the team appreciated any of the fans that came out during the deepest recession of our lifetime, cheered a terrible team throughout the year only to see a team allow themselves to be blown out by another lottery bound team by FORTY-ONE points on the last game of the season at home. The boobirds (including me) starting raining down boos by the end of the first half when we were already down by 20+ points.
As always, the only bright spot on our team was our rookies, Eric Gordon quietly put together yet another efficient offensive performance (10-15 fg for 22 pts total) and Mike Taylor made a half-court shot at the end of the third quarter. Aside from that the rest of the team was hardly identifiable as NBA players.
The highlight of the evening was Mike Dunleavy getting ejected in the 3rd quarter when we were already getting spanked. Most of us can only hope the team makes permanent. Another painful fact is that we lost every quarter of the game by no less than 8 points. It would take far too much time to layout everything we did poorly tonight and only seconds to describe what we did well but tonight showed that a team that plays with energy and enthusiasm will prevail against a listless team of unprofessional players playing for themselves (or perhaps nothing).
When I asked to write the recap I had hoped that it would be after a Clippers win to close out the season and that karma would dictate that we would get the 1st pick in the draft as a reward for doing the right thing. I was even foolish enough to bet money to support that fact. Now with less one Ben Franklin in the wallet, I can only suspect that this franchise and this team (not the faithful fanbase) does not deserve any good that comes to it as they have done nothing to deserve any such reward this season. I leave you with this quote from Shawshank Redemption that I think succinctly describes our predicament, "Hope can drive a man insane. It's got no use on the inside". I don't know how we all landed on the inside but I do agree that this hope thing will eventually drive me insane.
It was a pleasure agonizing over the internet with everyone all season and I hope to see many of you around in what will be my contract year (FA in 2010 baby!) next season. I'll see some of you at the annual draft party.
Best,
Clipper Chuck
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I was at the game tonight as well, and honestly that was one of the most pathetic performances I have EVER seen. No one on the Clips showed any heart. No one had any fight in them. There were countless uncontested dunks, uncontested alley-oops. Offensive rebounds for the Thunder when no one bothered to box out. It’s the last game of the year, at least show the fans that you CARE. Even Dumbleavy didn’t seem to care. He got the call, yet argued with the ref anyway and got ejected.
The Clips have major talent, but this roster needs a overhaul. SOMETHING has to change, whether it be a new coach, revamping the roster, or whatever. The Clips sent a lot of people home unhappy, and this is what we have to chew on for the whole off season. On top of that, did anyone see that Baron ad, telling the crowd to buy season tickets? Why would anyone want to do that after seeing what the clips were reduced to this season? 19-63, thats whats gonna be on everyoone’s mind
Clippers season.
Now that the off season has officially started, I am surprises me of how big of a mood change I feel when compared to last year’s. Last off season I could hardly wait for any Clippers news. I was excited of all the trades and acquisitions that the Clippers were doing to bolster the team, I was happy for C. Kamman in that he got to go to the olympics, regardless of who he played for, and overall I could not wait for the season to start. All the signs pointed towards a promising future; but alas, it was not to be. For once, Donald Sterling cannot be blamed for any of the problems that ailed the Clippers this time around. He paid for a team, that on paper at least, is capable of 1st round playoffs. Who I blame the most though, is Elton Brand. He threw a monkey wrench so large at the Clippers that the team could never recover. Jerk. Once again, injuries wreaked the Clippers. Why is it that this team can’t get that gorilla off their backs?! Why is it that the Clippers don’t fire the athletic training staff? It seems that Clippers are always getting hurt, regardless of what the A.T. does. Karma? Could be, but then again, the Lakers have done their fair share of bad Karma and look where they are. I am sad to say this, but the best thing for the Clippers would be to move out of L.A. Sometimes it is better for a team to have a town all for themselves and the Lakers were here first. Clippers, take a vacation, clear your mind and come back better than before and please, don’t get hurt in the off season.
This is the longest season...
My hope has been shattered for the Clippers. I didn’t expect the clips to do well this year, but I didn’t think they would invoke the yester years of Elmore Spencer. This team cannot be THIS BAD. Oh yes, They are THIS BAD. Last nights loss was pathetic, but on Fan Appreciation night, we did not have the chance to shout “Fire Dunleavy”. Dunleavy took that away from us, too.
Thankfully, we can close this year out and hope that the lottery ball falls in our favor. Karma never works. I hope we still have our VIP parking space at the annual lottery event.
Went to the game last night
It was pretty weird, the fans in my section were pretty funny to say the least. Definately in the middle of the “fire dunleavy” chants. And around where I was seated, they definately were not fans of Chris Kaman. Actually the whole crowd was strange. The Clippers were booed, as ClipperChuck points out, and the crowd cheered the most for Russel Westbrook and Shaun Livingston….
The one thing I learned from this game is...
that the Clippers defense is terrible thanks to Zach Randolph. I mean, giving up 126 points to OKC, all on Randolph. This team would have some real defensive synergy if it wasn’t for that waste of space. Wait, Zach didnt play last night?
I was at the game too
besides it being an overall horrible game some things struck me.
1. The booing, I have been to a few games but never have I heard so much booing towards the home team by the home teams fans. Hopefully that sends a message to DTS that we want Dunleavy gone
2. The cheering, more specifically the cheering when MDsr got thrown out of the game, the place just went wild.
3. Livingston, he looked alright and started the game and threw down a crazy alley oop dunk that I didn’t know he could even do with the giant knee brace he had on
In Gordon we trust
The booing
(Sold Out Stadium + Disgruntled Fans) raised to the power of (No Effort) = LAST GAME OF THE SEASON
"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.
on a hopefull note
I was hanging around near Ralph pre game (actually was able to get an autograph from him) and I over heard him talking with someone from the clippers in a suit talking about Golden State then he mentioned Baron and said something along the lines of that is how he used to play. Which may sound like he thinks the reason Baron isn’t playing in the same system. IDK it could be nothing but I’m grasping at every last string of hope that I won’t have to watch MDsr again next season.
In Gordon we trust
I think Baron is a better player in the right system
With all the constraints on the team,there is no free flowing game for this team. Baron will be okay as long as there is a new coach
that's more like rolling...
Roger Sterling: I bet there were people in the Bible walking around, complaining about "kids today."
Don Draper: Kids today, they have no one to look up to. Cuz they're looking up to us.
by Lawler's Law on Apr 16, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
You just want to be sure...
you’re not in his path, when he squishes you.
lol
"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.
In my section most everyone seemed to have a sense of relief this
was over. We cheered for Livingston, and why not? And the best coaching I saw all year was when Dunleavy managed to get himself thrown out so he wouldn’t have to hear the fire Dunleavy roar – not chants anymore. Also, the guys who started the chants had bags over their heads.
Finally, I left with a feeling of disgust. After all the fans went through wouldn’t it have been possible to put a little better effort out there? I know I rag on BD the most (hey, how many turnovers did he have last night, I lost count) but the whole team effort sucked.
Ok, Gordon had a good game but if anyone looked at his face, he was miserable, and BD was sitting on the bench thinking what did I do to myself. As did I when I finally got up and left and said to the fellow next to me “God what a year.”
just make sure you take it off as soon as they lose...
Roger Sterling: I bet there were people in the Bible walking around, complaining about "kids today."
Don Draper: Kids today, they have no one to look up to. Cuz they're looking up to us.
lol
I wouldn’t even touch that thing. I would need to wear the suit scientists wear when the work with biohazards before I get withing 50 yards of it…
"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.
The scary thing is...
this season will, in all likelihood, continue into next season. Same personnel, same coaching staff, same results. Guranteed. The Clippers should use that in their marketing campaign.
By the way, I like the marketing irony of our season ticket renewal package:
It’s about the TALENT: picture of Gordon (This is true…he’s the only guy with real talent on our team)
It’s about veteran LEADERSHIP: picture of Baron, Zach, & Ricky Davis pounding fists (What veteran leadership those trio have shown throughout the season. Hopefully, EJ can learn how to shoot 1-13 with 5 turnovers, crash his car while drunk and stoned, jack up threes as soon as the ball touches his hand, then sit out the rest of the season with tendinitis and a severe chest cold).
It’s about the MEMORIES: Oh yes, those warm and fuzzy memories of a 41 blowout loss to OKC…Put that in your time capsule and cherish it forever.
It’s about the INCENTIVES: You get a free 2009-2010 NBA League Pass Broadband Subscription with your Season tickets payment in full. This is so you can watch Clippers games online now that the team lost KTLA and will no longer be televised on local broadcast TV.
It’s about the LOYALTY: If you abandon the Clippers now, you’re not a real fan. Real fans stay loyal no matter how much their team suck. And real fandom is demonstrated when you show absolute blind loyalty to the Clippers.
It’s about the LOCATION: We’re still at the Staples Center, along with other real professional sports teams!
It’s about the BENEFITS: Get another garish beach towel next year after you’ve attended 39 games!
You got a renewal package already? I'm just waiting for something to happen so I can
see how much the appreciate my loyal support. Well, it seems they’ve lost my name, address and phone number again, so I guess I know that answer already.
What a class organization.
It JUST came in the mail
Like a few days ago. I wouldn’t be offended by it at all.
In fact, I was offended that it came…
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