The curses run deep. They fester in bloodlines, foundations and scorched earth and are lamented in prose, textual content and explanations. From Shakespeare to Dostoyevsky, curses have been a part of the canon of human creativity. After the Boston Pink Sox broke theirs in 2004 and LeBron James introduced a championship to Cleveland in 2016, just one cursed franchise stays: the Los Angeles Clippers.
Since transferring from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984, the Clippers’ existence has been questioned. Why on earth would a metropolis with the legendary Lakers want slightly brother? From only one playoff sequence within the first twenty seasons to possession by the devilish Donald Sterling to the worst profitable share within the NBA between 1981 and 2014, there’s lots to consider in a hex.
After they have been generally known as the Buffalo Braves within the Seventies and led by the legendary Dr. Jack Ramsay, they made the play-offs three seasons in a row. Ramsay was a star within the making and turned his growth staff into critical contenders. However each curse has an origin. Then-owner Paul Snyder fired Ramsay regardless of his success and elevated assistant coach Tates Locke. In his new position, Locke fumbled the reins so badly that the group by no means recovered and missed the playoffs for the following 15 years. And Ramsey? He was employed by the Portland Trailblazers and received the NBA Championship in simply his first season with the staff. That was the start of the curse, and the specter continued to besmirch the franchise by many of the staff’s downs and a few ups. Ask any Clippers followers how Derek Smith blew out his knee 11 video games into the 1986 season. Or the staff that defeated Michael Olowokandi in 1998 towards Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce and Antawn Jamison. What about Josh Smith and Corey Brewer draining threes in Recreation 6 of a 2015 playoff sport to lose a 3-1 lead? Or when franchise cornerstones Chris Paul and Blake Griffin each fell within the 2016 Western Convention semifinals?
However in 2014, an unlikely saint was named V. Stiviano unraveled every part Sterling owned and launched scathing recordings of his racism, which resulted in his banishment. Enter Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, who purchased the Clippers and instantly set to work to undo their cursed legacy. Since that is the Clips, nothing could be simple. In 2019, Kawhi Leonard was a top-three participant within the NBA, and after profitable his second championship in Toronto, he wished to return dwelling to LA to play out his prime. However he used his greatness to make use of the Clips to make a questionable commerce for Paul George from the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the place he had simply re-signed a long-term deal. George would value the Clippers their future draft capital and rising teenager Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For the primary time within the staff’s historical past, they have been a authentic contender with two superstars of their prime.
5 seasons later, the Clippers have only one convention finals to point out for his or her mega-trade, whereas SGA has develop into an MVP candidate in OKC. The curse has continued, as Leonard and George have suffered season-changing accidents since arriving in Hollywood. Nevertheless, they’ve each stayed wholesome this season. Plus, they’re clicking for the primary time since reuniting, with the roster lastly stabilized with hungry veterans and a prime coach in Ty Lue. Leonard and George are actually 32 and 33 respectively, close to the top of their prime, and the Clips have the second-oldest common age at 29. That veteran presence additionally consists of the 2 former MVPs the staff added: Russell Westbrook and James Harden. , each of that are previous their greatest years, however are efficient.
Westbrook broke his hand final week and is predicted to be out indefinitely, however the harm ought to permit him to return for the playoffs. Definitely, the information units the stage for a brand new chapter within the franchise’s long-cursed tome. However the Clips do not stay or die by Westbrook, however by George and Leonard, whose well being determines their battle. With each nearing the top of their dominance and the West as vast open as ever, this season would be the deciding issue for his or her first championship.
If the Clips do not win it this season, the longer term is as darkish as ever. The staff will not have management of a first-round choose till 2030, with their capital spent on the OKC deal for George and final yr’s Harden commerce with Philadelphia. There isn’t a younger Clipper with star potential on the roster. Terrance Mann, their youngest core member at 27, has taken a step again this season. Bones Hyland has been considerably retooled as an erratic taking pictures guard and can exchange Westbrook because the bench spark. Middle Ivica Zubbac is underrated as a paint risk and inside defender, however faces beasts like Nikola Jokić, Chet Holmgren, Rudy Gobert and Domantas Sabonis within the West. That leaves creaking knees and high-mileage guys like Harden, Daniel Theis and Mason Plumlee in key reserve roles. Sixth Man of the Yr candidate Norman Powell stays environment friendly in restricted minutes however can be a risk come playoff time. Who can neglect his 42 factors in Recreation 3 of the primary spherical towards the Phoenix Suns final season as Leonard appeared on after tearing the meniscus in his proper knee? Cursed, certainly.
All of it comes right down to Paul and Kawhi
Clearly every part relies on the well being of George and Leonard. The Clippers are 3-10 within the playoffs with out Leonard and George within the lineup. Fortunately, they’ve a coach who is without doubt one of the greatest at adapting to rotations. Lue would be the prime Western Convention coach as soon as the playoffs begin, nevertheless it’s a star-studded league. When wholesome, Leonard has been spectacular this season, averaging 24.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and three.7 APG. George was equally spectacular, averaging 22 PPG, 5.3 RPG and three.6 APG. Each wings have been named All-Stars this season and have missed simply 10 video games mixed (5 video games every). The Nuggets are nonetheless the NBA commonplace as defending champions, however with the Golden State Warriors dynasty and LeBron James’ dominance coming to an finish, the Thunder, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves playoff neophytes, and the Dallas Mavericks, Suns and New Orleans Pelicans face roster disparity and accidents, convention vast open. If the Clippers keep wholesome, there is not any motive to suppose they cannot win all of it.
The 2019-2020 season was purported to be the yr for the Clippers as they’d the second-best document within the West earlier than COVID hit. Within the Orlando bubble and with a 3-1 lead within the convention semifinals, the Clippers choked away the lead. The explanation? George himself admitted that he battled melancholy within the remoted surroundings. What began as championship aspirations turned a heartbreaking collapse.
Within the twelve seasons between 2011 and 2023, the LA Clippers reached the NBA playoffs ten occasions. It was, surely, one of the best play in franchise historical past. They’re at present fourth within the West because the Lakers battle for seeding within the Play-In. The strain is on the Clippers as considered one of 5 groups to by no means make the NBA Finals (going again to their roots in Buffalo and San Diego). As followers attempt to put two 3-1 playoff leads behind them, all the eye is on Leonard and George. For the reason that duo arrived in LA, they have been one of many favorites to win all of it, however accidents shattered these desires. The Lakers’ historic dynasty proves that Staples Middle wasn’t constructed on prime of a cemetery. If the Clippers’ curse is actual, no quantity of voodoo, cleaning or prayer can flip the tide. The Clippers do not want a savior to stroll by the tunnel. They’ve the items. They only want slightly luck. That in itself could be a primary for the franchise, and sufficient to show their fortunes round in probably the most profound approach.