Hey Wait a Second. Slow Down. I'm Not Quite Ready.
by John Raffo on Dec 16, 2011 1:15 PM PST
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The Clippers acquired Chris Paul the other day. And everybody's really happy. Except me. Oh I like Paul well enough, and I think this was a great deal for the organization and I think it will be really fun to watch the Clips and I'm pretty sure this is a good thing. But something's wrong. The other night when much of my Clipsnation brethren were doing cartwheels and shooting off fireworks, I did not participate. I couldn't. I can't. I'm coming around I think, but it's gonna take me a few minutes. I'm still trying to figure out why.
At first I thought my reluctance to celebrate was because I thought the Clippers paid too much. But I knew, if Chris Paul came in, Eric Gordon had to go. The money isn't going to work out, I get it. Or was it the Minnesota draft pick? I loved owning that pick, but Adelman's up in Minny now and... it's a draft pick, a crap shoot. Okay, maybe it was because I felt bad for the traded players. They'd apparently been told that they were off the trading block. Kaman's used to it I suppose, he's been the subject of trade rumors for years now. But Eric Gordon is special. He was our foundation piece, he was the guy, who when he showed up here three years ago, allowed us to feel okay about ourselves again... after the damning events of the years before, after Elton Brand ran away in the middle of the night, after the horrific injury to Shaun Livingston, which still flashes across the landscape of the collective Clipper brain and wakes us up in a terrible sweat. He didn't seem to know it but Eric Gordon was a bit of a savior. Remember our reaction the first time we saw that perfect stroke or how it felt when we realized that with his long arms and speed, he played far larger than his listed six-foot-three? Eric Gordon was a tonic, a glass of cool water in the endless desert of Clipper fandom.
Then Blake Griffin arrived, and though we had to put the dream on hold for a year, that was alright, because we were building something. Neil Olshey, the guy who'd taken the reins from the other guy, kept reiterating it, we're building something. Slowly, steadily. We've got some pieces, we'll get more. There were mistakes of course, the baffling trade of Marcus Camby, the heavy-handed expulsion of Baron Davis. But, the front office told us there's a method here. We're adding to our flexibility. We're staying the course, we're shaping the future. And, of course, we had a wonderful secret hidden in our pocket: We had Minnesota's first round draft pick that would finally become due in 2012. We laughed giddily, maniacally as the Timberwolves floundered, as their management flopped and sweated and pursued boneheaded trades and baffling acquisitions. As one high level college player after another withdrew from the 2011 draft, fearing a long labor squabble, the value of the pick grew and grew. The "Minny Pick" became a weapon of great value... unknowable, but tantalizing, and envied.
The lockout was a lingering drag, but we knew the Clippers were on the path. Finally, just two weeks ago, the union and the owners came to an agreement and we watched the front office finally go into action. We were hopeful but unsure, the Clippers have long suffered under their parsimonious and phlegmatic ownership. What would happen? Will Neil Olshey have the power, the ability, and wherewithal to shape this team into something worthwhile? Within days we had answers. First the Clippers brought in Caron Butler. Oh, yeah, they might have overpaid, but for myself and others, signing Butler was a good sign... the Clippers were willing to spend. Then the team matched DeAndre Jordan's offer sheet. Expensive. Too expensive? Maybe, but another indicator that management and ownership were serious about lifting the franchise into respectability: We're building from the ground up. We're stacking pieces, we're walking the walk. One foot in front of the other. It sounded like the truth.
Of course rumors were swirling. A couple of superstars were unhappy. There were deals on the table. There were deals removed from the table. Neil Olshey was playing cards, sure, but it seemed like he was only half-involved. At one point, he walked away from the card table when the asking price got too rich. He left the game, went outside and somehow lifted Chauncey Billups off a pile of detritus. We were delighted. Billups might be the missing piece, the piece that would bring experience and steadiness to a Clipper ship that was not quite ready for the high seas.
And, to me, to most of us, it was enough. We had added the necessary pieces. We were building on our solid core that had started with Eric Gordon and we were sticking to the plan. We had some young, developing pieces, we had some nice experienced players, we had the Minny pick, and our bench looked deep and strong. We couldn't wait until the season started. And Neil Olshey assured us that he was done, that talk of a bigger deal, a bigger trade was over. The price was too high.
And then it happened.
Suddenly Eric Gordon, the hope, the tonic, was gone. Chris Kaman, clever and charming, gone. The Minny pick, the golden ticket? Gone. We were changing tracks, moving off our carefully planned out evolutionary voyage and getting into the express lane. Chris Paul is coming to town. Chris Paul, who, according to ESPN, is the fourth best player in the league is coming to the Clippers. And from this moment on, everything is different. He and Blake Griffin hope to form one of the best big-man, small-man combos in the league. And it seems utterly possible. But now we've left the course, the carefully planned, slowly-rising bubble lifting us out of hell... that's gone.
I don't want anyone to think I'm unhappy. I'm not. I was stunned by the trade. I will miss Eric Gordon and what he represented. I will miss Chris Kaman. I will remain a fan of both. I'm happy that they get to go to New Orleans, a great city, and they get to play for Monty Williams, one of the fine young coaches in the game. I will miss the slow track, I will miss the patient rise from the depths.
Now the new Clipper ship is out on the launch pad, and everyone's waiting. There's a few of us huddled in the old terminal, holding stale cups of coffee. It's cold now and they're telling us to leave. We're wondering if this isn't a little too fast, a little too soon. In a minute I'm gonna climb to my feet, walk across the tarmac and I'm gonna get on board. This isn't a bubble anymore. This is a rocket ship. It's big, and its scary. Coming? Of course I'm coming. Just don't rush me.
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killer piece, well done
I’m also singing the blues after these intense days. Can our team really reach such great heights? Mid-boggling.
+10
"Energizing the process, or turning it upside-down, fans now participate, writing blogs and posting comments and videos [...] the dialogue is to discourse what road rage is to driving." -Mark Heisler
+35
"Energizing the process, or turning it upside-down, fans now participate, writing blogs and posting comments and videos [...] the dialogue is to discourse what road rage is to driving." -Mark Heisler
Very nice piece
I feel ya. But 33 years was enough slow track for me. Bring on the rocket ship!
Proudly enduring the pain since the days of Bill Walton's foot.
Now living the good life in Lob City, CA.
DAMN!!!!
Love this piece! It’s exactly how I feel. I went drinking with some buddies (Laker Fans) last night and they were like “what the hell, we would think you would be grinning ear to ear”. I told them, I know this is great for the Clippers and all but I’m still hurt over Losing Eric and everything else we had been building towards the future. After the acquisition of Billups, I thought we were set. The team looked really good, super deep and I would still get to see all our young guys develop. Even when they were 1-13 last season, I was sooo excited just to see the under 23 team play and imagine what could be in a few years with a solid coach. I know I will get over it especially with all the winning ahead, but I’m not there yet.
+1
"The perception here in Los Angeles has always been that the Lakers find a way to win games and the Clippers find a way to lose…I recognize it, but I'm not going to accept it," Griffin said. "I'm not going to say, 'Oh, that's fine."
by TheEricGordonShow on Dec 16, 2011 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
Same
I’m glad we got CP3. I just couldn’t really enjoy it and celebrate 100%. It just didn’t feel right.
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
I as well!
I need to see some lobs from CP3 to Blake ASAP to get over this….
by Christian Vielman on Dec 16, 2011 5:00 PM PST up reply actions
Agree that we gave up alot
But for me at least, CP3 is a gamechanger. EJ is very good, but it’s not the same thing. My concern was that he was only giving us one extra year and would be using the Clips as a way station (as many players before him). My fears, however, have been alayed by watching CP3 and Olshey interact at the press conference. He seems to be pretty darn happy to be here and to have committed to the future with the Clips (unless we screw up royally).
So as I said in another post – I’m all in. Steep price to pay, but worth it.
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Eric Gordon is like Michael Finley to the Mavs
Finley was the man before dirk, but he moved on n got his with the spurs. And we know what eventually happened to the Mavs last season
I Am Witness to the 1st BLAKE GRIFFIN Triple-Double! And the 2nd Triple-Double!
by KidJustin on Dec 16, 2011 1:50 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Did you hear
CP3’s response on NBA TV about the past of the Clippers? He said (paraphrasing here), “it is not the past but about the now and the future.” I loved that response.
by lovinglosangeles on Dec 16, 2011 1:55 PM PST reply actions
you should use that photo for all your philosophical/psychological posts
like Jack Handey’s Deep Thoughts
Yeah, the picture's pretty lame, right?
They only let us use the ones that are in the SB Nation library. I really wanted a picture of a rocket, ready for takeoff, steam billowing at the base. Maybe I’ll change it.
Nah.
I mean
we ARE in heaven now, aren’t we?
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
Depends
go watch the Eric Gordon interview and read that story of what he was doing when he heard the news and that might put you back onto earth.
"Things change when something is taken away from you" -BG32
Dude, I can't watch that. I don't know if I ever will.
Part of me is in heaven, imagining CP3 + Blake. But a bigger part of me is deep, deep in hell, imagining the look on EJ’s face and shocked that he was lied to like that.
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
I'm very much sitting in this boat with John Raffo & Co.
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
well at least they all make more money than us
at the end of the day I can’t bring myself to feel bad for any of these guys. I’d love to go to new orleans and be a millionaire and play basketball all day. I will miss EJ, I plan on watching the hornets, and don’t think I’ll enjoy all the phonies in the media acting like they believe in the clippers all of the sudden. We gotta keep ourselves in perspective, right now we’ve won nothing, have older players and need to stay healthy. I think we are all interested to see what this experiment is gonna yield. As of now its wait and see as usual for me.
wine um, dine um, 69 um
by flightofthegriffin on Dec 16, 2011 1:57 PM PST reply actions
I hate these “I dont feel bad because they’re a millionaire” crap. We know, these guys get paid big money, probably more money than anybody in this forum will make combine. But Gordon is human. Kaman is human. Kobe is human. To be comfortable is what is most important, and we really don’t know if Gordon will like it there in NOH (even though knowing Gordon, he will probably adapt and be comfortable.) It’s kind of like saying “hey a dog can roll around and eat and sleep and do nothing. They’re lives are so much easier than us. I don’t feel sorry for it.” Doesn’t really happen, and so Gordon is a human also, and so money doesn’t comfort-ability and happiness. I know I sound like I’m feeling to sorry for Gordon, but let’s face it, all of us in Clipper nation wanted to stay and Gordon looked as if he did also. Couldn’t image what it’s like to finally be comfortable with LA and happy with who I’m working with only to be shipped off to a new team and having to adapt again.
"Things change when something is taken away from you" -BG32
some would say to win is whats most important
some want money, some want love. I’m not gonna pretend to know anything about you but I just don’t agree with you about being comfortable or players humanity because these aren’t those type of decisions. Basketball isn’t a comfy job, its young men playing for money and glory. Some win some lose, if u don’t like the game then don’t play.
wine um, dine um, 69 um
by flightofthegriffin on Dec 16, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Watching PT’s broadcast of how blake got to the Clippers, I had the same sort of feelings as John…Am I ready to root for a winner? Is this really true? I keep waiting for something to fall apart…I know I should know better, but old habits die hard…
"Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime
and too sleepy to worry at night."
Author Unknown
"Am I ready to root for a winner?"
Exactly how I feel. I’m worried I’ll become a giant douche.
No matter how much we hate to admit it, the truth is that the Lakers have become our older brother. They are our asshole older brother who was cool in high school, but in college he joined a frat, got connected to a powerful executive, and had a six-figure job handed to him on a silver platter. Along the way, he went from being a pretty funloving guy to a horrible soulless sociopath, dating botoxed models and doing white-collar drugs. We hate our brother.
Now we’re in college, and we didn’t join a frat. We worked our butt off trying to get noticed, and never did. Then we got lucky and got randomly selected for an internship at a big corporation! (Blake Griffin drafted) And now we’ve finally had to make our first tough decision and move away from home (and from our family) for a big time promotion. Now we’re in the big leagues, but are we going to end up like our big brother? We need to remember how we got here.
I make the weirdest analogies.
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
by Erik O on Dec 16, 2011 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
We're Andy
"Fact One: Races are won or lost in key moments. Fact Two: Success in the sport is, above all else, about enduring suffering." - Chris MacCormack
Wow
Great analogy Erik. It really works.
But we can’t be afraid of success either.
In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd
by Steve Perrin on Dec 16, 2011 9:13 PM PST up reply actions
I've been avoiding everything Clippers/CP3 related after the trade because I too haven't yet been able to "walk across that tarmac"
This is the first thing I’ve read that’s made me feel okay, and I’m glad there’s someone that feels EXACTLY the way I do. Getting congrats texts from Laker fans feels weird, and also annoying because of their insensitivity to the fact that I haven’t been able to get over the realization that our team that I was so attached to no longer looks much like that team anymore.
It’s still going to take some time for me too, so don’t rush me either.
Thanks for this piece. +1,000,000,000
"The perception here in Los Angeles has always been that the Lakers find a way to win games and the Clippers find a way to lose…I recognize it, but I'm not going to accept it," Griffin said. "I'm not going to say, 'Oh, that's fine."
by TheEricGordonShow on Dec 16, 2011 2:05 PM PST reply actions
Me too
I get congrats text and Facebook post and it’s just like woopdydoo, doesn’t feel like a win situation yet. Makes it even worse when you see someone write “F—- CLIPPERS. LAKERS HAD A BETTER TRADE. ODOM > GORDON.”
"Things change when something is taken away from you" -BG32
This may ease the pain some
Look at how the NOH fans have embraced EJ since the initial shock of losing CP3.
I have attached the below that shows they have already named EJ Commissioner Gordon and are excited to have him on the team. Look at the response and large pic they have waiting his arrival.
http://www.atthehive.com/2011/12/16/2640173/preseason-game-1-hornets-grizzlies#comments
"Who wants a free Sharpie?"
That makes me feel good
EJ will remain my favorite player, and I’ll be following him real closely at NO! I think his role on that team will bring him some really great things in the future.
by 2-ScoopIceCream on Dec 16, 2011 3:25 PM PST up reply actions
Hopefully Leslie surprises
So he can become EJ light athletic/defensive player.
by KillaClip on Dec 16, 2011 2:16 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Thanks, I needed that too
watching an under 23 underdog team beat the likes of the Spurs, Heat and Lakers was fantastic last year. We were hootin’, and hollerin and just wanting a couple of holes to be patched to continue the frenzy this year. Now they are a semi veteran team with some real expectations, it’s kinda different but i’m sure i’ll get used to it once the ball goes in the air. Wish EJ and Kaman the best, thanks for writing this.
I think as Clipper fans
“we” are a different breed, and yea, this is definitely a strange place to be in. I know for a fact, that I didn’t choose the Clips as “my” team because I cared only about winning championships. If that was the case, I’d choose to be a fan of the team across the hall. It’s just been so much fun watching the maturation of players, and building something, and building the framework of what you hope is a glorious place to live. Suddenly, we find ourselves thrown into living in a nice new house, not the one we’ve been building, maybe on the same block, or using some of the pieces we made, but not the house we were expecting. Living in a new situation that we’ve never experienced, it’s going to be a little disconcerting.
I guess, it’ll take a change of attitude from the fanbase as well, because I kinda feel like if the Clips are no longer the underdog, the reason why a lot of us became their fans in the first place is kind of gone. I know throughout talking about how the clips could get LBJ, and more recently CP3 and Dwight, I’ve really had to ponder how I’d cope with superstars, and this new found expectation to live up to. Half of me almost felt if the clips weren’t the underdog, I’d eventually have to find a new team. Weird I know. Sure I’d enjoy quite a few seasons of the culture change, and seeing those that have been with the team forever (ie. Ralph) partake in the new found success, but over the long haul, it might prove difficult.
For now this is the place I’m in, and I’m going to thoroughly enjoy watching hopefully a new clippers franchise, shedding away years of stigma and negativity.
The underdog definitely has appeal
I’ve been a Clipper fan since the 90’s having grown up in LA, learned to despise the Lakers and their sense of entitlement, and gone to games back at the Sports Arena. I was a season ticket holder from 2001-2007 and have experienced the ups and mostly downs of this organization.
For me it’s always been about hope. Hope that our the next draft pick will be the one, hope that our team stays healthy, hope that DTS opens his checkbook, hope that Elton stays… and now I see Blake and CP3’s arrival and the excitement that it’s generated as an extension of that hope. And in some ways, it is the underdog story, that despite the odds a team can ultimately suceed when no one thought they could. However, just because they start to taste success, doesn’t take away from that idealism. We still need to hope for a healthy season, that the team gells quickly and gets off to a good start and that Blake and CP3 stick around. The next iteration will be once we achieve the playoffs and hope that the team will finally hang its first champioship banner at Staples. This is all really fun and exciting as a long-suffering Clipper fan and should be a fantastic ride that we should all enjoy.
Remembers when you could buy a nosebleed ticket at the Sports Arena and end up courtside.
Caught me off gurad when I read "Elton"
Instead of the usual “FElton.”
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
I couldn't have said it better myself.
This is EXACTLY how I feel.
Proud member of Club FTR. falconPUNCH! for president!
Great piece!!
I have really cooled down the commenting after the “EJ is gone forever” fact set in.
"Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance" -Jean-Paul Sarte
Absolutely fantastic post John
There’s no denying that everyone here liked the direction this team was headed pre-trade. We filled the hole at SF and felt confident that Mo would suffice as the starting PG. We had a very strong bench filled with youth and promise. And of course, we were sitting on a jackpot; the Minny pick.
This FO has made a bold move, one that no Clipper fan has ever experienced. I think part of the shock is we’ve never been in a position like this before. The Clippers have always been the family team. Cheap seats, and a decent team. Not a great or even good team but a team we could identify with an support through the good and the bad.
We finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel. You said it perfectly John, we were a “slowly-rising bubble”. Gordon was going to make huge strides for the team this season. Griffin was/is going to become even more unstoppable; we finally had some legit pieces around our “core”. We were going to accomplish what we’ve been trying to accomplish for so many brutal years. Draft cornerstone pieces and surround them with veterans.
We’re now we’re in uncharted territory, and I think it’s scary and strange for many of us. The Clippers are one of the most dangerous Western Conference teams. Who would have thought…
by dulciusXasperis on Dec 16, 2011 2:55 PM PST reply actions
I was a little upset, but I really don't feel that bad
If you think we are bummed about Gordon, imagine how the Hornets fans feel about loosing CP3. I am tired of hoping for the future and watching inexperienced players make commit endless amounts of turnovers. I’m glad that the Clippers are finally in win-now mode and I can watch my favorite team become perennial playoff contenders. I want my team to be feared like we fear playing the spurs/mavs/jazz. All those years we thought “I really think we can make the playoffs this year” but never do. This year there is a completely different attitude because we have players that are winners and multiple-time all stars motivated by tantalizing, hungry youth. Furthermore, the hated Lakers are in panic mode after trading Lamar for basically nothing. Ah, what a great time to be a Clipper fan; it’s surreal.
The Clippers are on the verge of doing something that is very special, and I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.
Hornet fans are upset for sure
but they knew it was coming and wanted a good deal out of him, which IMO they did. Other than ESPN, most of the media said that EJ wasn’t going to be included. Everyone just got caught off guard that’s all. After all, Neil did say EJ and Blake will be the future of this team.
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
Great post
Really captured the emotion that I felt as well. Thank you.
by KeithClossrules on Dec 16, 2011 3:15 PM PST reply actions
Shit...
I was on the tarmac for YEARS before the trade. I’ve always wanted CP3 on this team, and it finally happened.
Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin
Great article. Thoughtful, sincere and oh so insightful.
I share your mixed feelings on boarding the speeding ship. I truly hope we can steer and eventually dock this bad boy in the next port without destroying the boat (and the port) at uncontrollable speed… and then having Captain Olshey get on the intercom saying, “My apologies, I guess in retrospect we should have taken a bit more time to get that right.”
Well done.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein
by Another son of Mike Smith on Dec 16, 2011 3:20 PM PST reply actions
Really terrific piece
I went through a couple of processing days too, only mine were right before the trade occurred. Somebody said that Paul would be ours by Xmas, and I started thinking then that EJ was a very likely sacrifice. Boltsfan and others reiterated that this was Chris Paul, and I was slowly convinced.
So thank you for putting words to what we were probably all feeling to different degrees. EJ was a great tonic during that awful post-Brand season. On a smaller scale, your piece here is a great tonic for the post-EJ era.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
LOL...
Laker fans were chanting “Clippers suck” at their open scrimmage. What’s funny is that I wouldn’t be surprised if most of those people are chanting “Clipper Nation” at our games later in the year.
Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin
I don't get people man
f—king bitter individuals. They have this superiority complex. What does anything the Clippers do have to do with them? Not a damn thing. They just love being the bigger and better team. God forbid that were to change.
Look I get it, it’s fun being better than someone else. It feels good. But any decent person isn’t going to throw it in the other person face while being completely serious and take pleasure out out it. And when the tables start to shift, you see that person becomes insecure and they start to lash out and we’re seeing it will Laker fans.
by dulciusXasperis on Dec 16, 2011 3:43 PM PST up reply actions
they aren't any better than us
They are obviously disgruntled now that we are stealing their spotlight. They are acting out like children, because they know they suck now and have no other way to express that except making a spectacle of themselves. It’ll be interesting to see how they all react to us winning. It’ll be like their little superficial worlds are crumbling. I expect to laugh at their expense a lot. (sorry I’m not without my flaws)
wine um, dine um, 69 um
by flightofthegriffin on Dec 16, 2011 5:10 PM PST up reply actions
That means we're relevant
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
yep
If they’re trying to convince people they’re better than us, well that just means it’s a hell of a lot closer than it’s been in a LONG time. I have to say though, In all this Clips vs. Lakers talk, rarely does it get brought up that Clips were the 6th seed (to the Lakers 7th seed) as recently as the 06 playoffs. Oh well, that was one good year the clips have had in like the last 20, so I guess I’ll let it slide.
wait...they normally don't even acknowledge the Clippers existence...
UPGRADE!
Proud member of Club FTR. falconPUNCH! for president!
who cares
fuel the hate. I love it. It will feel even better when we take them down.
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
I'm heading on Sunday.
Standing Ovation before tip off?
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
That's hilarious
Clippers aren’t even there, and yet they’re in the heads of Laker fans. Must be doing something right.
In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd
by Steve Perrin on Dec 16, 2011 9:17 PM PST up reply actions
Great piece
Understand exactly what you are saying.
If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.
on a different note
We have 5 guards who do we trade and for whom?
Nice Piece
I feel the same way but I don’t think I would have been able to write it as eloquently as you did. I think NO has a decent chance to maybe make the playoffs this year. They are going to have a decent interior defense with Kaman and Okafar and EJ should average around 25 ppg. How sweet would it be if the Clippers made it to the 2nd or 3rd seed in the West and played the Hornets in the first round of this years playoffs?
This post reminds me of a fan of an indie rock band
that has finally signed to major label and they feel like they sold out. You’re happy for their success, but they’re not yours any more. In the case of the Clippers, I feel like they’ve less sold out than become winners. Of course we haven’t seen them play, yet, but Chauncy Billups, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin – these guys want and know how to win. That’s what was so great about Sammy. I love Eric Gordon, but he’s not a winner, yet. He didn’t have that fire. He’d turn the ball over at the end of games and look dejected. I don’t see that happening to Chris Paul. I think EJ will learn to be a winner, and maybe getting traded will put a chip on his shoulder that’ll light the fire, but I’m ecstatic at where we are right now and wouldn’t go back for anything. Bring on Casey Casem’s Top 40, to go back to my original analogy.
This is a time for genuine optimism. The Clippers got more than just Chris Paul in that trade, they got something they’ve never had in their 31 years in L.A:
Relevance.
http://sonofsambowie.blogspot.com/2011/12/clippers-paid-price-to-be-relevant-and.html
This is probably going to be my Western Conference Voting Ballot
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Chris Kaman
Would love to shut out the Lakers…
I would love that
but I don’t see Kobe losing the fan vote for SG.
"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown
I keep thinking NO is on the East
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
Well we always believed in something else no one believed in.
It’s like when Rachael Leigh Cook removed the glasses and became the hottest girl at prom in “She’s All That.” Now everyone loves her, but it leaves the guy who always thought she was beautiful a little empty.
Of course that’s a bad analogy. Rachael Leigh Cook was hot even with the glasses on.
"Fact One: Races are won or lost in key moments. Fact Two: Success in the sport is, above all else, about enduring suffering." - Chris MacCormack
I FEEL YOU MAN
It sucks. Kaman was my favorite player and has been for a while. And EG has such a promising future. But at the end of the day the Clippers did what they never do and bring in a GREAT player.. Chris Paul is one of the best in the game and will do wonders for the Clippers. They gave up a lot, but at the end of the day he puts us in the best position to win now. And if over the next couple years we win a lot, that means he will sign an extension and so will Blake and then we can build around those two. Deandre will be given a chance to shine. And I really feel he will be a 13-15 and 11-13 guy with about 3 blocks. He will be the center for a while. IF Caron stays healthy that answers that whole for a few more years, and the only thing we will be missing is a two guard. Can that be Chauncey? I do not know yet. But it is worth a shot. If he cannot do it, then we will have to look elsewhere. We will see what happens. It is going to be a long shot but if the guy can develop a jump shot, it can be Travis Leslie. The dude can do just about everything else a 2 guard will do. I just do not know if he can have a consistent mid range to 3 shot
Wow
You have just now helped me discover why I wasn’t feeling so great about everything. I was trying to think if it was the loss of EJ, Kaman, and Aminu, or maybe just the loss of their great humble attitudes. We have gone from a humble team that wins the hard way and never gets anything handed to us, to nearly an all-star team. There will be no more humility. There will be no more working hard for what we get. Chris Paul will tear up defenses, Billups and Griffin will bully their opponents, and we will bask in the glory of winning a lot of games. We’ve never really had this before. Even in 05’06, I only BARELY started becoming confident that we’d win games. Now, I’ll be annoyed if we lose to anyone but a top team.
As you said so well, Swami-John, it’s about having to switch from the bubble to the rocket ship. It feels weird and unfamiliar, and many of us do NOT like change. But I think once we feel how smooth this rocket ship flies, all will feel right again.
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
lol
" We have gone from a humble team that wins the hard way and never gets anything handed to us, to nearly an all-star team. "
There are no easy wins it takes hard work no matter how much talent you have, and who says Cp3 is not humble? Hes no Lebron.
“There will be no more working hard for what we get.”
You heard it from Griffin himself, it was a loser mentality that contributed to losses. He said there were days when they had won the game before so they didnt even try the next time or something to that effect.
by JJClipperfan on Dec 16, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Looks like Kobe might be going thru a divorce this season
When it rains, it pours! Then again, I think Kobe was playing pretty well during that Denver incident…
So he was "livid" because of that
The CP3 incident was not really on his mind….
"But this decision wasn't about the past. It was about the present and about the future." -Chris Paul
Why?
Is he trading his wife for Dwight Howard?
when you hear the Clippers, it’s not going to be a joke anymore. I can guarantee you that -BG32
I wonder if it'll affect his game
Reminds me of the Tony Parker situation. I don’t think anyone should have to go through a divorce, me being someone who grew up in a divorced household.
"Fact One: Races are won or lost in key moments. Fact Two: Success in the sport is, above all else, about enduring suffering." - Chris MacCormack
mentality
Now we have closers, though Gordon and Kaman are very good players they couldn’t help close games that the Clips should have won. Now with Paul and Billups we have the closers to win game in the 4th qtr. I think that’s the difference for the clips now and that will change the mentality. Veteran winners who won’t try to hope and hang on in crunch time but will get it done. We got better and even top draft picks are not always a lock.
No hesitation here in coming on board for what we have done to better the team. After years of frustration a nice shot in the arm. I’m all in, just need another tough big man to help the frontline.
goom and doom
i guess there are individuals who want to do nothing but bag on sterling, deride getting rid of fatman davis and do nothing but feel sorry that we gave up eric gordon…well i loved gordon but he isnt chris paul and never will be…sterling has been spending money for 6 or 7 years now and pushed olshey to get this done…as far as baron is concerned…he was waived, let go for nothing so you can see what others think of him and his “bad back” which is another way of saying he doesnt stay in shape…as for me, i love what these clips are doing…ive waited, along with others, since 1986 for me to have this moment to happen….viva cp3, blake, deandre, chauncey, tough juice and mo…im going to enjoy the ride.
Maybe the Clippers can get him back
If he doesn’t ask for max in FA
Got 2 2nd rounders though
from NO right? So that’s like 3 2nd round picks lol
Knowing our streak of luck the past few years...
We’ll probably find the next Manu in the second round. :)
Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin
Here's the deal
2012 BOS gets the pick provided it’s not top 10 (which it has sure as hell better not be at this point). That pick went to OKC in exchange for Eric Bledsoe during the 2010 draft, and then to BOS as part of Kedrick Perkins deal.
LAC will have our own pick in 2013, assuming BOS gets the 2012.
Clips can’t trade a pick until something like 2017 because of the conditions on the pick we owe to BOS. It might end up being the same year or two years in a row, which isn’t allowed under the Stepien rule. But the reality is they’ll have a pick in 2013.
Note on the Stepien rule – the Clippers will likely end up without first round picks in back to back drafts, 2011 and 2012. But they didn’t trade 2012 pick until after 2011 draft, so they weren’t both FUTURE picks. That’s why it’s allowed.
In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd
by Steve Perrin on Dec 16, 2011 9:25 PM PST up reply actions
FYI, our possible number #1 pick in 2011 draft
Kylie Irving scored 21 pts in 27 minutes in debut. He only shot 4-14 but made 13-15 free throws and 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
"Who wants a free Sharpie?"
Isn't life strange
If we would have drafted Irving, the whole CP3 trade more than likely would not have happened.
"Who wants a free Sharpie?"
I don't see why not
Nothing wrong with shipping him out instead of EJ.
BD would still be here
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Let's just say
The chances of Clippers doing all that and still getting C.Paul was around…2.8%?
Not a chance
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Thank goodness we landed CP3
Irving can obviously play. The only sad part is if the Clippers had the pick the CP3 trade would have been a lot easier and EJ could still be here. BUT the CP3 trade is that good it doesn’t matter so much now.
Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.
by ClipperChuck on Dec 17, 2011 1:00 AM PST up reply actions
If we had BD the trade would never have happened
Period
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Bullshit
nothing they traded for CP3 even involved Mo-Baron trade. Kaman, EJ, Minnesota pick and Aminu were all existing assets.
Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.
by ClipperChuck on Dec 17, 2011 5:02 AM PST up reply actions
So you think they would have traded for CP3
With BD on the roster? At that salary? No way they amnesty him. He’s not traceable (except to an idiot like Gilbert who got fleeced – 30 M for a probable 7th pick). They would be left with no cap space. Thankfully Olshey did that trade for many reasons.
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Well said. Thanks for that.
I feel like my favorite neighborhood has been renovated and will soon be re-launched as a nightclub. I’m happy for the team, but I have to wonder how long I and others like me will really be welcome.
by Incognito310 on Dec 16, 2011 10:08 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Gotta agree with some of the posts. In CP3 they definitely got one of the few real game changers in the NBA. It’s always been beyond comprehension, what he was able to do with these Hornets teams, that were never that good, who gets such a team to the two spot in the West? A healthy CP3 is very good to have for the team he’s on and very dangerous for the others.
After what he was able to accomplish with pieces like David West, Tyson Chandler and an aging Peja, you can only imagine, what he will be able to do with these Clips.
Still the loss of Eric stings very much. I thought, we were going to build upon Blake and Eric. The latest surge toward a positive future started with him, he never complained, he was a professional, he seems to be a gentleman.
I know, it’s all supposed to be a business, but after all these years that he worked towards this teams success, I can not help but feel bad for not letting him partake in the better times and sending him to the desert… again… so he can work his way out again.
Still think, we should have tried to gather all the great pieces, that were coming to us and then still make a run for CP3… not like anyone else had the combinatination of young enticing talent and money that we had. Wanted to do it with Blake and Chris and Eric. Plus now we have four quality point guards and all of a sudden have a hole at shooting guard…?!?? The wins will make up for it eventually. I know, this isn’t going to happen, but i hope we can get him back!
points guards
The mavs won the championship with 2 points guards and Billups played shooting guard for some of his years in the NBA. The word is, its better to have too much point guards than too much shooting and lack of a good point guard.
Dont forget Gordon and Kaman were injured also so they weren’t exactly super healthy players we traded, good players but not proven winners. Winners are made in the 4th qtr.
We just need a good strong big man to help the frontline and we’ll be dangerous. The only thing I worry about is now do we finally break the clipper curse with cp3 and billups. I hope to call them the curse busters someday soon, with our monster BG. lol
Dang
Im so glad you wrote this piece. I actually cried when I read how he found out. I joined Clipper Nation the year he was drafted and immediately he was my fave. This acquisition has def. been bittersweet— but after last night’s meet and greet I am feeling excited. I will always live EJ and the Hornets are now my 2nd favorite team.
"Success only comes before work inside of a dictionary!"
by Clipperoo on Dec 17, 2011 8:10 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Times a Changing
Been a steady reader and occassional poster on this blog for several years and a season ticket holder since 2001. My emotions have gone from a sense of sadness about losing EJ to a sense of pure excitement after the CP3 press conference.
EJ was my favorite Clip so seeing him go hurt badly. But, after hearing how excitied, humble, and hard working CP3 will be, i think we will be in great hands. I’ve always loved rooting for the underdog and will we ever be that again, who knows? But, im excited as hell for the new path in front of us.
Great post John.
"Lets get one thing straight, the only reason you are conscious right now is because I don't feel like carrying you." - Jack Bauer
"Consequences, Schmonsequences, as long as I'm rich." - Daffy Duck
by Badd on Dec 17, 2011 10:15 AM PST via mobile reply actions
If y'all want to cry more, look how sad EJ, Aminu and Kaman look together in this picture:
It was tweeted by Hoopsworld and it’s of the 3 of them holding up their new jerseys. oy, that’s a sad bunch. it’s the most depressing picture i’ve ever seen. it’s so bad it makes me laugh, sorry.
Fire Jasen Powell!
Sheesh, not a smile in sight..
Can’t really blame them…
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