It's funny, the Clippers are just one of those franchises. One of those franchises that you just wish could start fresh and new somewhere else. Burn the old and build new. The former Buffalo Braves (who weren't that bad) turned San Diego and Los Angeles Clippers is a cursed franchise.
(Note: I don't believe in curses)
Think about the Clippers for a minute. Since their first season as the "Clippers" (1978-1979), they've had just two winning seasons. They've made just four postseason appearances. They've only won one playoff series. One. Not counting the strike shortened 1999 season, the Clippers have had seven seasons where they failed to win 20 games. They've had 17 seasons where they lost at least 50 games. Ugh.
Add to the fact that the Clippers play in the same city as the Lakers ... a team with 15 NBA championships, including four last decade. Did I say "play in the same city"??? I meant "play in the same freakin' arena" as the Lakers.
All this isn't new to any of you. I'm amazed that the Clippers have so many fans. Not just because they suck but because you could make your life easier and just be a Laker fan. It's not like most franchises where they are the lone game in town and all of that.
So it is fitting that Blake Griffin's rookie season will not happen this year. No, his busted knee needs a little more work so he'll sit out this season. Classic.
Of course this conjures up Danny Manning and Michael Olowokandi. Like Griffin, Manning and Olowokandi were number one overall picks. All three missed considerable time due to injury. Manning blew out his knee during his rookie season, came back and became an All Star. When he could get out, he bolted. The Kandi Man just plain sucked.
That happens. But look at what the Clippers have had happen to their draft picks. If I was Eric Gordon or Al Thornton, I'd be a bit worried. Yaroslav Koralev (#12, 2005) had a cup of coffee with the Clips before heading back to Europe. Shaun Livingston (#4, 2004) had one of the ugliest sports injuries you will ever see and his career still hasn't gotten back on track. Chris Wilcox (#8, 2002) was a complete bust ... until he was dealt to the Sonics in the middle of his fourth season. That same draft brought Melvin Ely (#12, 2002) who did nothing.
There is also Darius Miles, Maurice Taylor, Lorenzen Wright, Terry Dehere, Randy Woods, Elmore Spencer, LeRon Ellis, Bo Kimble, etc.
There is also Antonio McDyess ... who the Clippers drafted with the No. 2 pick in the 1995 draft. They dealt him to Denver for Rodney Rodgers and a draft pick that turned into Brent Barry. Awesome. Oh, and the Danny Ferry fiasco. The No. 2 pick refused to play for the Clips and went to Italy. Los Angeles would end up dealing him to Cleveland for Ron Harper. They used a No. 6 pick on Hersey Hawkins and then dealt him for Charles Smith. Better yet was using a No. 3 pick on Byron Scott and then dealing him to the Lakers for Norm Nixon.
You can go on and on and on and on about the owner, the lack of talent and the guys who look for the first opportunity to leave.
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