So it turns out that this wacky season – much like the Los Angeles Clippers themselves – continues to defy all logic. The latest topsy-turvy event of the year has the Clippers following a 6-game losing streak with a somewhat-impressive 3-game winning streak. Just when you think they might be ready to tank for a higher draft pick, the new trade additions provided a spark, this time leading to a 97-91 win against the equally hapless Detroit Pistons.
Chris Kaman and Drew Gooden lead the Clippers with 21 and 15 and 20 and 13 respectively, in a game that saw the usually dependable Richard Hamilton cough up 6 free throw misses, including 3 pivotal ones in the game’s closing minutes. The Clippers took full advantage of the opportunity and sealed the win with some clutch play from forward Rasual Butler.
In yet another sign of how unpredictable the years has been, the AP pointed out that “the Clippers used their 13th different starting lineup, with interim coach Kim Hughes giving Gooden his first start since joining them in a trade last week with Washington. He had nine points in the opening period along with seven boards — equaling the most rebounds by a Pistons opponent in a quarter this season.”
The Clips aren’t exactly threatening the Cleveland Cavaliers title hopes with their new pieces, the three wins have been against Sacramento, Charlotte and Detroit after all, but it’s still a pleasure seeing some winning effort being given out there. With the recent wins, the team brought their record up to 24-33 on the season, a respectable amount considering the injuries and job done by former head coach Mike Dunleavy.
It’s worth noting that Dunleavy was always blasted as someone who hindered the possibilities of a high-flying Clippers fast break machine, something that has proven to be entirely false as interim coach Kim Hughes has seen his players fail to score any fast break points at all in several of his games. Whether the game tempo has been fast or not probably hasn’t worried Hughes too much during the wins though, as he’s seen his record rise to 3-5 overall. Like we all learned when we were kids, a win is a win.
Before my fellow citizens of Clipper Nation get too excited, the schedule will get a little tougher, starting with tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns. The next five matchups include two against the Suns, a rematch with the Kings as well as games against the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder, both of which have been red hot as of late.
I guess we’ll get a chance to see how the new Clippers do against superior opponents. While some fellow Clips fans have used their suffering as a tool to strengthen their religious convictions, I won’t be holding my breath for any miracles any time soon.
-Will.
“Diary of a Clippers Fan” will be published Mondays and Thursdays during the regular season.
