Clippers hate should decline with Kevin Durant joining Warriors

The Los Angeles Clippers have been the most hated team in the NBA for some time, but that may start to change with Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors.

Floppers. Complainers. 43-percent free throw shooters. Second round failures. Chokers. The descriptors for the Los Angeles Clippers are plentiful. Largely stemming from critique rather than praise, they paint a picture that’s vivid to anyone who pays attention to the NBA — the Clippers are the league’s most hated team.

From DeMarcus Cousins neatly saying “I hate them” and preventing his teammates shaking their hands after games to their physical history against the Memphis Grizzlies and various others, Clippers hate isn’t secret. It’s well-known, it’s widespread, and it’s been this way for some time now.

Since the Lob City era has gotten underway and the team has risen to relevance, winning at least 50 games in each of the past four seasons after never reaching that total before, new characters and a new reputation have accompanied the Clippers’ success. Chris Paul has rejuvenated the franchise, but his incredible play is partnered with criticisms of his complacency. Blake Griffin has emerged as one of the league’s most skilful superstars, but that talent comes with over-the-top accusations that he’s “soft”.

The Clippers haven’t always helped themselves in terms of their reputation either. Leading the NBA in total technicals in four of the last five seasons only hurts them more, providing the irritating character to an endless array of premature playoff exits that has piled on hate from players, refs and fans alike.

They lost a 2-0 first round series lead in 2013 to Memphis. They followed up by losing in the second round the next two years, capping off such a run by blowing a 3-1 series lead against Houston in 2015. Without the wins when it matters most, the good-for-nothing-second-round-failure narrative has only strengthened distaste for the Clippers.

Add in some bad luck, such as Paul and Griffin’s season-ending injuries in Game 4 against Portland this year, and matters have never improved.

“The most hated team by far,” said a veteran NBA coach, apparently speaking on behalf of everyone when Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck wrote an insightful story on why everyone hates the Clippers.

“Something about them… It’s just an irritant,” a longtime team executive said.

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Some didn’t even hold back about going on the record.

“It’s about personnel, personality and just their demeanor, how they carry themselves,” said Jason Terry. “But it’s a healthy hate.”

How degree of healthy is up to you. It can serve as motivation to the Clippers themselves and a fun narrative to their enemies. Nothing has happened to spark a change. Perhaps breaking up the team or Paul and Griffin separating is the only way for haters to simmer down.

“That’s who they’re always going to be—especially if they’re losing,” former Clippers wing Jared Dudley said.

Well, as much as those hateful feelings are ingrained into many around the league, a historic seismic shift in the landscape of the NBA may bring about change. A change that may see the Clippers shed some of their hate without having to do anything themselves whatsoever.

Kevin Durant chose the Warriors.

“I’m viewing it as the weakest move I’ve ever seen from a superstar,” is how Stephen A. Smith summarized his furious take — one shared by many — on the matter.

“It’s not that he’s leaving Oklahoma City. If you’re not happy there and you want to move on and you want to grow as a player, there’s nothing wrong with that… But the flipside is this: They were up 3-1 in the Western Conference finals. Three different times he was 48 minutes removed from getting to the NBA finals. Three times he failed… And you depart for the team that beat you?”

“Wow… Really?” Evan Fournier tweeted, to the agreement of many.

“Somebody beat you! And you go there…? Superstar not doing that man…” tweeted Jusuf Nurkic.

The Clippers’ own Paul Pierce simply tweeted, “If u can’t beat um, join um,” accompanied by an appropriately thoughtful emoji.

Some believe Durant betrayed the Oklahoma City Thunder. Some believe he shouldn’t have even considered leaving. Some believe he should be ridiculed for such a choice. Ultimately, it was a business decision. A choice to win championships playing with a selfless passing team that he can thrive with in the best offensive lineup we’ve ever seen.

That’s what this comes down to for Durant. But regardless of your standing on the matter, he’s acquired a villainous nature and placed a target on the Warriors’ collective back that can’t be ignored. Teams will go at them — normally to no avail — in an attempt to stop this new villain and a super team that will be more fluid and flamboyant than ever.

Such a mindset, infused with hate from fans due to the Dubs’ absurd superiority and criticism from the media, will draw more attention to the Warriors than any other team.

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant walks onto the stage during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Warriors haven’t done anything wrong. Neither has Durant. But together, they’re a team who lost a 3-1 lead and a superstar who lost a 3-1 lead that looked to each other for an easy route to winning.

At least, that’s how the popular hot takes will go for the NBA’s new villain on his new team. That’s why Durant — once one of the most universally beloved players in the game — was booed at a Team USA exhibition game in STAPLES Center.

The Clippers can benefit from this attitude to the Warriors. Their rival Golden State and Durant facing such scrutiny can only help deter some hate from them due to critics having another target to take shots at.

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For those that accepted the 73-9 record of the Warriors and their pre three-point celebrations all season long, more reasons to be bothered by the NBA’s golden child emerged into the playoffs. As childish trash talk was exchanged, Draymond Green‘s groin kick tally piled up, all ending in them becoming the first team to lose a 3-1 lead in the Finals, some spectators felt the magic fade to a certain degree.

They weren’t impossible to defeat and they clearly weren’t impossible to dislike. At the very least, Green’s reputation experienced a shift from breakout triple-double machine to a ball buster. That alone hurt the Warriors somewhat.

Add Durant the villain to the mix, and the Clippers don’t look so bad in comparison.

This season is a pivotal one for L.A. Both Paul and Griffin can test free agency next summer, and the possibility of one or both leaving if the Clippers come up short again will be more prevalent than ever. Rather than a rash trade, they could potentially lose their two best players by their own choice. To encourage them to stay, everything is on the line in 2016-17.

The NBA’s new super team does help alleviate some hate and pressure from the Clippers, though. No one is expected to pass the Warriors and probably no team will be so heavily focused upon, booed, and (by some) hated. Even though the Clippers will never be hate-free until they win a championship, they may have some competition in that regard now.

Next: Clippers and Thunder facing the same dilemma?

Ideally, thanks to good heath, new free agent acquisitions and the ageing San Antonio Spurs, a Western Conference Finals appearance could be within the Clippers’ reach next season. If so, they may not even be the most hated team when they arrive, because there’s more incentive than ever to root against the Warriors now.

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