Being a Clipper fan has never been easy. It takes a special type of human to choose to live in the shadow of teams like the Lakers and even the Golden State Warriors. It takes a certain level of insanity, optimism and belief. Fortunately things have been easier since Steve Ballmer, the league’s richest owner and the most insane Clipper fan that ever lived, took over and invested in the Clippers like no one could have imagined. He personifies the ultimate Clipper fan. He built his team the most stunning high tech stadium in the world. He created and essentially IS the Wall.
On Wednesday night, before the play in game against the Golden State Warriors I attended a mini pep rally for the “The Swell” on Court B at the Intuit Dome. For those not familiar, The Swell is a smaller, fiercer and more dedicated group of superfans who occupy 12 rows behind the visitor’s basket, within the Wall. After learning several cheers specifically designed to increase the GSW free throw miss rate (they went 13 of 21), Mr. Ballmer paid us a personal visit. He thanked us, encouraged and reminded us how valued we are by players and the entire organization. Steve makes it a heck of a lot easier to endure the hard times.
Wednesday was the height of hard times. A team we have beaten fairly easily throughout the season brought us to our knees in a game we led for almost 44 minutes. Credit to Golden State. They locked up Kawhi and rendered him powerless after being worn down by Draymond Green’s impeccable defense the entire game. Steph Curry on the other hand, did what we know he can and lit up the 3rd quarter bringing the team within striking distance. In the 4th, the last two minutes was all downhill. Al Horford couldn’t miss from three, Kawhi couldn’t muster a shot and Matherin, who was the high scorer for the Clippers had a momentum shifting turnover.
Now, we wait for the offseason to tell us the fate of Kawhi Leonard and this 7 year stretch that has been much more low than high. No matter what happens, I want to give him his flowers. He could have gone to the Lakers, or anywhere else for that matter but he chose us. He chose the harder, untested road. Kawhi chose the shadows. While he may not have been able to bring a championship, he brought credibility. We became a destination; a team other stars actually wanted to join and still do.
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