Boban Marjanovic is what Los Angeles Clippers fans need

Boban Marjanovic came to the Los Angeles Clippers with Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley in the Blake Griffin trade. After initial backlash, time has shown how valuable the trade was for LA.

Austin Rivers could walk through a crowd, and he might turn a few heads. Boban Marjanovic, on the other hand, would turn every head in the crowd, with everyone looking back to see this massive human being that looks like he could lift up a car and throw it at you. But from everything we have seen from Marjanovic thus far, he’s the last person that would yell, “Boban Smash!”

He was first signed by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015 season, and later signed a $21 Million contract with the Detroit Pistons in 2016. Although he isn’t a young player, he is under contract until the end of next season. Like Marjanovic, the Clippers have brought in pieces that are potential trade assets moving forward. While Los Angeles is currently in the playoff hunt, with no one leader, they will need a collective effort to win these games and they have been getting that all season.

The trade that sent shocks throughout the league put the Clippers in a more favorable position and while the move might’ve been harsh, they did play their hand right and came out with a win. Tobias Harris has helped offset the production and while Avery Bradley recovers from surgery, Bobi and Tobi have become an internet sensation.

Bobi and Tobi came to the team with this connection and they seem to have the best of times when they are together. They routinely have dance offs before the game,  and Marjanovic has found a place in a lot of Clippers fans hearts.

MARJANOVIC MANIA!

Marjanovic is finally in a bigger market to show off his skills, and while he has been having fun off the court, he has also provided a spark off the bench. He does not always play but when he does the crowd gets into it and it feels like he plays even bigger than he is — which is weird to say when he is already 7’3″. He does not come without flaw, but he does give what you want from a bench player. He’s a gentle giant.

Marjanovic has played well especially in the come back win against the Spurs recently. He is averaging 7.2 minutes per game and while that might not be worth the $7 million the Clippers have to pay him, he is paying dividends with the fans and the organization is quickly getting on without Griffin.

Marjanovic makes time before and after games to meet with fans and when they had a Serbia night that honored him and Milos Teodosic, he spent as much time as he could to meet with everyone that came out. His contract might be a little high for his production but what he does off the court is helping turn the page on an unpopular trade. While the NBA moves away from traditional bigs, Boban is pushed to the end of the bench until he can take advantage of other matchups.

God’s Plan

Many fans will remember this season as a transition and a changing of identity for the franchise. Marjanovic has been fun to watch and I routinely check in with Farbod Esnaashari of Clipperholics and Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints for new fun videos of Boban, Harris and DeAndre Jordan doing their thing to “God’s Plan.”

This season has seen many ups and downs but without a doubt Marjanovic is one of the feel good stories for the organization by him just being himself. He will not win an MVP but he is winning the hearts of all NBA fans.