#TWiCH: Clippers Wang Goes Off

Hello Clips Nation. It's been a long time, and I am sorry I left you with no look back at what is the Clippers glorious past. But, I am back, and hopefully, I will not have any more distractions from providing you with TWiCH: This Week in Clippers History! As always, here is the TWiCH Record (the combined franchise record for all games taking place This Week in Clippers History)

57-107

And now, the five big stories from This Week in Clippers History:

1983

Randy Smith Requests to Be Waived, Iron Man Streak Ends

With the San Diego Clippers record sitting at 21-44, and no shot at the playoffs, iron man Randy Smith put his streak of 906 consecutive games played on the line, by asking for the Clippers to waive him, hoping to be picked up by a playoff contender. The Clippers put Smith on waivers, and he was claimed by the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for cash. Unfortunately for Smith, while on wavers, the Clippers played a game against the San Antonio Spurs, in which he did not play, and his streak ended. He would finish the season playing 34 games for the Hawks, averaging 4.7 points, as the Hawks would qualify for the playoffs, only to lose in the first round to the Boston Celtics. So basically, Smith traded in his iron man streak for a first round playoff exit, in what would be his last season in the NBA.

1994

Agent Tells Clippers That Wilkins Will Test Free Agency

In 1994, the Clippers came to the conclusion that they would not be able to resign all-star forward Danny Manning to a new contract. So what was there solution? Did they trade Manning for assets and draft picks? Yes and no. They did get a 1st round draft pick from the Atlanta Hawks, which turned into Greg Minor, who never played for them. The big prize of the trade was an over his prime, last year of his contract Dominique Wilkins. Wilkins electrified the Sports Arena, but at the age of 34, he was well past his best years. Wilkins was seeking a 3 year $21 million contract to resign with the Clippers, which they decided was not worth it. Eventually, he would sign with the Boston Celtics in the off season, and the Clippers would be left with little to show for Danny Manning, who was, at the time, the best player in the Clippers Los Angeles history.

2003

Clippers Beat Denver, Lead by Wang Zhizhi

The 2002-03 Clippers were not a great team. The Denver Nuggets were worse. Going into this game, the Clippers front court was devastated by injuries. Starting PF Elton Brand and starting C Michael Olowokandi, were both out for this game, being replaced by Cherokee Parks and Sean Rooks in the starting lineup. Although the Nuggets were not a good team, they had a couple of quality starters, Marcus Camby and Nene, who, on paper, should have dominated the Clippers two "starters". In the end, Parks, Rooks, Camby, and Nene would combine for 16 points, and the star of the game was Wang Zhizhi, the Clippers backup center, who would go for 21 points on 9 of 12 shooting, making two 3 pointers. That would be the best career game for Wang.

2009

The Shot

Not much to say, except that this was probably the highlight of the 2008-09 Clippers season. Novak doing what Novak does, and Lawler doing what Lawler does.

2012

Nick Young Makes Clippers Debut

After acquiring Nick Young in what would be an important transaction for the season, he made his debut against the Detroit Pistons.

Although he didn't make a splashy impression in his first game, he did contribute, with 9 points, while going 7 of 8 from the free throw line. Young would go on to be a key contributor to the Clippers playoff run, but would bolt for "greener" pastures the 76ers in the off season, before deciding to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers the next off season.

So there you have it, This Week in Clippers History. I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to check back each and every Thursday for more TWiCH!