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Hello Clipper Nation! Welcome to #ClippersTopTweets, our season-long series highlighting Clippers Twitter.
This week, the Clippers went 1-1 in back-to-back match-ups with the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the light schedule, there was plenty to talk about. Let’s take a look.
Load Management
Many pearls were clutched after the Clippers announced that Kawhi Leonard would sit out last Wednesday’s game against the Bucks. A consistent theme among critics was how Kawhi’s not playing was “unfair” to fans.
#NBA should ask clippers to refund half of the ticket cost for people who watched clippers vs bucks..they paid money to watch kawhi vs. giannis..end up not able to watch kawhi play...it is unfair for people who paid for it #LoadManagement
— lilytess (@lilytess) November 8, 2019
U sound like a typical athlete who has NEVER had to pay for tickets. When the @LAClippers give refunds on load management days, I’m with it. #dontdisrespectfans https://t.co/VgS7sEla1I
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerFS1) November 10, 2019
Hang on...I’m a hard core Clip fan since 84. But to say this isn’t fair to the players is absurd Ralphy. It’s about load management. It is unfair to the fans. That’s true. But 8 games in and we’re resting two games already? I hope the Clips realize we’re in the West.
— Rob Castro (@RobCastroRealty) November 6, 2019
For all the disgruntled, here is the thing. Players are not obligated to jeopardize their health because you paid for a ticket. You don’t get to dictate how a player manages his health because you paid for a ticket. You are not entitled to private health information about a player because you paid for a ticket. Being a ticket holder does not entitle you to ANYTHING but a seat at an NBA game between teams. Your ticket does not entitle you to see a particular player on a particular night any more than it entitles you to spill beer on a player, disparage a player’s mother or call a player racial epithets. Get over it.
Unsurprisingly, some of the more ridiculous takes on the load management issue came from Lakers homers. Take this Tweet, from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Klapper, for example:
#Lakers. Tell #Kobe about “LoadManagement” When he shot 2 FreeThrows on A COMPLETELY Torn Achilles!
— Dr. Robert Klapper (@DrRobertKlapper) November 7, 2019
Seriously? Sports media has long praised athletes who continue to play while injured, incorrectly depicting them as more masculine, more worthy of praise, and more committed to their craft. Do we really need medical professionals to hop on this dangerous bandwagon too? Normalizing sports injury and criticizing health-promoting and prolonging measures for professional athletes runs afoul of a physician’s oath to “do no harm.” Stop it.
Also interesting, but oh so predictable, is the revisionist history regarding LeBron James. A number of the “hot takes” on load management this week have been of the “but LeBron would never!” variety. How soon these folks (including LeBron himself) forget James’ history of “resting” games during the regular season (dating back to Miami), his walking into a contest (against the Clippers) last December with a wine glass in hand, and his taking the last six games of the 2018-19 season off after it was clear the Lakers were not making the playoffs. But please, go on.
LeBron showed up to the game with a glass of wine pic.twitter.com/MA9mY3GXUz
— ESPN (@espn) December 29, 2018
Regardless of where you fall on the load management issue, we can all agree there are some NBA analysts that could use some rest, right? Sorry C-Webb!
Chris Webber makes me wish they had load management for announcers #cmonman
— Monte Willis (@beamer1976) November 8, 2019
A Week of Accomplishment
Despite the drama surrounding Kawhi’s day off, the Clippers had much to celebrate this week. Landry Shamet’s shot seems to be coming back, ever so slowly, and Ivica Zubac has been excellent in the paint, showing fearlessness, skill and confidence. But Doc, Trezz and Pat Bev were the big winners this week.
Doc Hits 900
Doc Rivers hit the 900 career win mark with last Thursday’s victory over Portland, becoming the 13th coach in NBA history to reach such a milestone. True to form, a humble Doc gave much of the credit to the colleagues and players he has worked with over the years.
"You don't do anything without someone else, and I've had a lot of help."@DocRivers after his 900th career win. pic.twitter.com/NZI0vH4Y8B
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 8, 2019
Of course, 900 wins is not enough for some.
Doc rivers with 900 wins ....and stil can’t fix that raspy ass voice.
— Keleka Ah Mau (@LEKAmyNUTS) November 9, 2019
Despite the fact that Doc’s vocals continue to fall somewhere between the Cookie Monster and Dikembe Mutombo, 900 career wins is an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations Doc!
Trezz Balls Out
In the loss to the Bucks, the Kawhi-less Clippers showcased their depth and talent. Big man Montrezl Harrell had a particularly good game, logging a career-high 34 points (bringing him to over 3000+ career points), as well as 13 rebounds (tying his career high), 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. In case you missed it, here are his highlights.
@MONSTATREZZ scores a career-high 34 PTS and ties a career-high 13 REB‼️ #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/MNXowHwcga
— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2019
The Lopez twins had no chance. Wonder twin powers, deactivated!
Montrezl just taking turns on Brooke & Robin
— Brew Hoop (@brewhoop) November 7, 2019
The Lopez Twin Cinematic Universe getting positively scorsesed by Montrezl Harrell tonight.
— Louis Keene (@thislouis) November 7, 2019
Trezz’s floaters were particularly on point.
My god Montrezl Harrell is 1000% from floaters
— Simon (@simon_il97) November 7, 2019
Damn, Montrezl Harrell is like that 50 year old guy at the Y, shooting 8 footers on the way up so it can’t get blocked. And it’s going in almost every time. So frustrating as a defender.
— Matthew Saunders (@bbadrock) November 7, 2019
NBA, be warned...
Montrezl Harrell scares me
— Martenzie Johnson (@Martenzie) November 7, 2019
Pat Beverley continues to be THAT Guy
Patrick Beverley also played big this week. Beverley is the undisputed heart and soul of the Clippers franchise, setting the tone every outing. The following Tweet could be posted during every game about the Clippers’ motor, and would always be accurate.
Pat Bev got there first
— AirMag (@AirMagKnows) November 7, 2019
Against the Bucks, Beverley logged 20 points, 10 rebounds (his second 10 rebound game this season), 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. He also went 5 for 5 at the line. Although his stats were not quite as impressive the following night against the Trail Blazers, Mr. 94 Feet absolutely SHUT DOWN Damian Lillard in the fourth quarter, holding the prolific scorer to zero points in the frame.
Pat Beverley with the tough defense! #ClipperNation
— NBA (@NBA) November 8, 2019
We're going down to the wire on TNT. pic.twitter.com/M0wssfpj0k
Lillard, who entered the contest the second-best fourth quarter point-producer in the league (second only to Kawhi Leonard), had just 22 points overall in the contest, his lowest scoring game of the season.
Which leads me to the last Tweet of this installment. Imagine thinking it makes sense to mock players for giving 110% every time they hit the hardwood. Clown.
No one:
— (@Lakers_16x) November 9, 2019
Absolutely no one:
Patrick Beverley:
pic.twitter.com/2s3ZMnkOjx
If you would like to be included in a future segment of Top Tweets, or see a tweet you think deserves to be highlighted tag me (@michelleuzeta) or use the hashtag #ClippersTopTweets.
See you online!