The Clippers reached the halfway point of the season last night, and despite notching their third win in a row, they remain a game under .500 at 20-21, and one of the NBA’s major disappointments according to numerous experts.After an inspirational 2005-06 campaign, LA seemed to be caught up in Clippermania, raising hopes for a new era of sustained success and a true local rivalry. Instead, the Clips have stumbled back to mediocrity and everyone has hopped off the bandwagon just as quickly as they climbed on (while hitching a ride with the surprising Lakers).
Was last season a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence? The Clippers still have 41 more games to prove otherwise.
In honor of the team’s fall from grace, LAist takes a look at some of the major storylines of the first half of the season, inspired by some of your favorite one-hit wonders (and because LAist loves its music, you’ll find some videos along with the recap).
“Earth below us / Drifting falling / Floating weightless / Calling calling home”
– Peter Schilling, “Major Tom (Coming Home)” (1984)
Inspired by: the struggles of the Clippers on the road
It’s no secret that road wins have been hard to come by for the Clippers. Having some adversity away from home is understandable; 5-14 is beyond comprehension for a team that considers itself a playoff contender. To put it in perspective, last year’s squad won five road games in November; this year’s team didn’t get their first road win until December 9.
What has been most disappointing is the personality transformation that seems to take over the team on the road. The offense gets noticeably more passive, settling for jumpers rather than working the ball inside for better opportunities: the team averages 3.9 fewer assists and 5.5 fewer free throw attempts on the road. Their defensive intensity also declines, to the tune of a startling 101 points allowed per game. Not surprisingly, ten of the fourteen road losses are by double digits.
The Clips did just finish up a 3-3 road trip which may give them some confidence heading into the second half. They’re going to need it: a big seven-game trip through the East awaits at the beginning of February which may make or break them.
“I always feel like somebody’s watching me / And I can’t get no privacy / I always feel like somebody’s watching me / Is it just a dream?”
– Rockwell, “I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me” (1984)
Inspired by: the continued uncertainty at point guard
This was supposed to be the year that Shaun Livingston made the leap towards stardom, after two seasons of learning the game and a year under veteran Sam Cassell’s tutelage. Although Cassell was still to have a prominent role, it was intended for him to hand the reigns of leadership to the youngster and reduce the workload on his 37-year old body. But when Livingston proved to be not ready to handle starting point guard duties, Cassell had to step in and fill the gap.
While Cassell has played at a high level throughout the season, he’s been severely nicked up with a foot injury that forced him out of eight games. Livingston continues to exhibit moments of incredible brilliance in his court vision and mid-range game, as well as moments of incredible ineptitude in his decision making and running the offense. Since Cassell went down, Livingston has started and his performances have been wildly inconsistent, marked by lengthy periods of tentative and passive play. In short, he has not improved to the extent that many thought he would, and with each ill-advised pass into traffic and defensive breakdown against a smaller, quicker point guard, Clipper Nation wonders whether the light bulb will ever go on.
Right now, Dunleavy is starting both players in the backcourt, sacrificing Quinton Ross’ defense for increased playmaking ability. Because Clipper brass steadfastly refuses to include Livingston and his “potential” in any trade offers for actual star players such as Allen Iverson, a lot of pressure is on the kid to start living up to the hype. Cassell doesn’t have many more miles left in him, so the training wheels that the Clips are using to baby Livingston along to allow him to grow into the role have to come off soon. Yeah, Livingston is only 21 so he’s got time to figure it out, but he’s also a valuable commodity whose value decreases with each month that he looks lost on the court. Remember Darius Miles?
“Don’t let go / You’ve got the music in you / One dance left / This world is gonna pull through / Don’t give up / You’ve got a reason to live / Can’t forget / We only get what we give”
– New Radicals, “You Get What You Give” (1999)
Inspired by: the Clippers’ lack of effort
LA Times Clipper beat writer Jason Reid laid out the facts very plainly about the contrast between this year’s team and last year’s team: the defense has slipped. The team has dropped from 2nd to 14th in field goal percentage defense (43.5% to 45.4%), 1st to 4th in blocks (6.39 to 5.90), and 2nd to 17th in rebounding (43.1 to 41.0).
For Clipper Nation, it is especially frustrating to support a team that isn’t putting out 100% every night. One of the refreshing aspects of last year’s squad was the pride they brought to the floor every night and the togetherness with which they played, especially compared to all of the past Clipper teams that dogged it (hello Mo Taylor, Benoit Benjamin, Michael Olowokandi, etc.). For whatever reason, this year that camaraderie on the court is missing. New contracts, injuries, fatigue, complacency, they’re all lame excuses.
“You want it all but you can’t have it / It’s in your face but you can’t grab it”
– Faith No More, “Epic” (1990)
Inspired by: the do-everything Elton Brand finally finding his limit
To say that Elton Brand had an eventful 2006 would be the understatement of the year. He posted career numbers while carrying the Clips on his back through the playoffs, spent his summer winning a bronze medal for Team USA at the World Championships in Japan, got married to his college sweetheart, produced the critically acclaimed movie Rescue Dawn, and managed to summon the energy to train with team in Russia. He also cured cancer, fixed the hole in the ozone layer, and brought peace to the Middle East.
However, it was obvious that Brand wasn’t ready to play when the season started. He was a step slow and his timing was slightly off, and it reflected in his diminished offensive output and the extended stretches of games where he totally disappeared. His game has slowly rounded back into shape with each passing week, his face-up jumper and jump hook from the left block becoming more unstoppable, and he’s gotten more assertive in key moments. But without EB delivering a star performance on a nightly basis during the first two months, no one else compensated, and the Clips took it on the chin. The Clippers’ success may be dependent on contributions from everyone in their core rotation, but it starts with big number 42. If the team is to enjoy a second-half resurgence, Brand will have to be the catalyst.
“What I am is what I am / Are you what you are – or what?”
– Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, “What I Am” (1988)
Inspired by: the realization that the Clippers are just a mediocre team
The good news: the Clippers have handled their business against inferior teams, with a 14-6 record against teams below .500. The bad news: the Clippers play like dogs against the supposed elite, going 6-15 against teams above .500.
Coming into the season, we looked at the roster and said that this team had top-four in the West-level talent. But on the court, the Clippers have consistently fallen short in their showdowns against Western rivals, with a 4-11 record against the top eight in the West (and 0-2 against the Lakers). Whereas the Lakers have beaten a number of the top contenders but continually lapse against the bottom feeders, the Clippers haven’t done anything to justify their inclusion in a discussion of good teams. Clipper Nation wants to look for an answer as to how so many experts could have misjudged this team at the start of the year, as if there’s a light bulb that just needs to get turned on and the team will snap out of it. Maybe the opposite is true – the Clippers played over their head last year and have fallen back to earth.
“I want money, lots and lots of money / I want the pie in the sky / I want money, lots and lots of money / So don’t be asking me why / I wanna be rich”
– Calloway, “I Wanna Be Rich” (1990)
Inspired by: the three men who fleeced Donald Sterling out of $98.5 million worth of contracts
It has been well documented how Donald Sterling has historically maintained a highly thrifty approach to running the Clippers, generating significant profits without any concern about putting together a winning franchise. But after signing key players to lucrative, long-term deals over the last four seasons, Sterling has exhibited a change in philosophy, contributing to last season’s breakthrough. Thus, the contracts extended to Chris Kaman (5 years/$52.5 million), Tim Thomas (4 years/$24 million), and coach Mike Dunleavy (4 years/$22 million) were thought to solidify the foundation for a bright future for the Clips. So far, the Donald hasn’t gotten much return on his investment.
Kaman’s improvement into a bonafide second low-post threat and rebounder during last season was one of the key ingredients to the Clippers’ success. Thus, it was a high priority to make sure he didn’t escape via free agency once his contract expired at the end of this season. However, Kaman struggled out of the gate with a hamstring injury during preseason and also suffered a sprained ankle, causing him to miss four games in November. Watching him repeatedly miss shots from close range or turn the ball over was even more painful than sitting through The Santa Clause 3, and his rebounding and defense have been equally poor. While Kaman’s play has improved somewhat since the start of the new year and the switch back to the old leather ball, Clipper Nation wonders whether he is actually capable of contributing anything more than 11 points and 8 rebounds a game to take some of the pressure off of Elton Brand. He’s getting paid a lot of money to be a stiff.
Whereas a long-term deal for Kaman seemed justifiable because of his youth and demonstrated improvement each year, Thomas suckered the Clippers into a fat contract solely on the basis of one solid month of basketball, in which his clutch outside shooting, low-post scoring, and surprising interior defense were major factors in knocking out both LA teams of the playoffs. Never mind the fact that the Bulls paid him $14 million to not play for them last year because he was useless. Or that he’d been through six teams over nine seasons, and was notorious for being a paycheck player – someone who only tried when the Benjamins were on the line. Long considered ultra-talented but lazy and indifferent, Thomas has pretty much lived down to his reputation. He’s shooting a career low 40.9% from the field, averaging less than 10 points per game for the first time since his second year, and exhibiting his usual lackluster effort on the glass. Thomas was supposed to give the Clippers a second outside presence (replacing Vlad Radmanovic) that could open up the court for Brand and allow for drive and dish opportunities; instead, teams are inviting him to shoot, and he’s thrown up so many bricks that he probably belongs with Ty Pennington on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Absolutely terrible signing.
As far as Dunleavy is concerned, his tactical shortcomings were magnified in the playoffs last season. Under the circumstances, there probably aren’t any better coaches available. But he’s failed to get the team to play hard every night and doesn’t seem to have a good pulse on how to put his players in the best position to win.
“’Cause when it comes to playing basketball / I’m always last to be picked / And in some cases never picked at all … I wish I was a little bit taller / I wish I was a baller / I wish I had a girl who looked good I would call her”
– Skee-Lo, “I Wish” (1995)
Inspired by: the Clippers’ wish for someone, anyone that can shoot
The Clippers are last in the league (by far) with only 2.9 made three-point shots per game, 9.2 attempts, and 31.4%. This isn’t shocking, considering they were also last in makes and attempts last year, though their percentage was a bit higher at 34.4%, which ranked 21st. Whereas the Phoenix Suns average 39.9% as a team from long distance, the Clippers don’t have a single shooter above that mark – Cuttino Mobley is the most “accurate” shooter at 39.8%. Tim Thomas is shooting like 10% (OK, it’s actually 35.3%, whatever, he’s horrible).
The problem is when you have five guys on a court, none of whom are a threat to score from outside of 17 feet, the defense can just collapse inside and dare you to shoot. This prevents Elton Brand from getting clean looks on the low block, enables opposing guards to drop down and swipe the ball from a clumsy Chris Kaman, and goads penetrators like Shaun Livingston and Corey Maggette into taking numerous charges from the help defender. Without the ability to properly space the floor, the Clippers’ execution must be precise in order to score consistently. Furthermore, the lack of a 3-ball makes comebacks considerably more difficult. And as we’ve seen, the Clips have been behind quite often this year.
“Once I ran to you / Now I’ll run from you / This tainted love you’ve given / I give you all a boy could give you / Take my tears and that’s not nearly all / Oh, tainted love”
– Soft Cell, “Tainted Love” (1982)
Inspired by: the love-hate relationship that is the ongoing Corey Maggette saga
Maggette is the longest current tenured Clipper, and one of Sterling’s favorites, but he’s been on the trading block all year because of his longstanding personal feud with Dunleavy. Maggette has requested to go someplace where he will be more appreciated and utilized more to his liking. Though he’s not thrilled about his role as the sixth man, it hasn’t been reflected in his play – Maggette has been one of the few consistent members of the team this year. While his outside shot is nonexistent, his ability to generate his own offense and get to the line has provided a much needed spark, particularly with Brand not being as reliable as in past seasons.
Still, his unresolved situation is not helping the team find its identity and play as a unit. Corey’s athleticism and manageable contract are particularly appealing to many teams, but the Clippers need to get a solid player in return to fill the many holes that he will leave behind. Thus, his status in limbo may continue to be a distraction to the team all the way up to the February 22 trade deadline, and it’s even possible that he may not get traded at all, which would drag out an already awkward situation. A clean break would be best for all parties, but breakups don’t always work out that way.
“I’m too sexy for my shirt / Too sexy for my shirt / So sexy it hurts”
– Right Said Fred, “I’m Too Sexy” (1992)
Inspired by: Chris Kaman’s haircut
From the Hulkamania mullet to a normal cut (click here for the before and after), though it was apparently not a fashion statement but rather a mistake by the stylist.
“There’s been so many things that’s held us down / But now it looks like things are finally comin’ around / I know we’ve got a long, long way to go / And where we’ll end up, I don’t know / But we won’t let nothing hold us back / We gonna get ourselves together / We gonna polish up our act … Ain’t no stopping us now / We’re on the move / Ain’t no stopping us now / We’ve got the groove”
– McFadden and Whitehead, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” (1979)
Inspired by: the Clippers' prospects at making a second-half playoff run
Because the core of the team is fundamentally unchanged from last season, we know that the Clippers have it in them to put a nice run of good basketball together, assuming they can stay healthy. Last season, the Clips won two-thirds of their home games and half of their road games. If they can play at that pace the rest of the way, that would extrapolate out to 44 wins, which was good enough for #8 in the West last year. Thus, in order to avoid being roadkill for the Mavs or Suns in the first round, they’ll have to play lights out the rest of the way and hope that the teams far ahead of them in the standings like the Lakers, Rockets, and Nuggets hit some major rough patches. Realistically, the Clips will likely be battling the T-wolves and possibly the Warriors for the last spot in the ridiculously deep West.
Some may argue that with a strong draft class this year, it may be better for the Clippers to miss the playoffs and get a lottery pick than get schooled by a far superior team in the first round. But it would be a huge statement for the franchise if they show some heart and secure a back-to-back playoff berth, something that they’ve only done once in 30 years. It would signify that while title contention may still be a ways away, the Clips aren’t just a flash in the pan, a one-hit wonder destined for permanent obscurity.
AP photo by Matt Sayles
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