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Clippers Turning New Page, Poised to Make Something Happen

By Juan Cornejo

PLAYA VISTA, CA- JUNE 19: Lawrence Frank, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, and Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers name Jerry West as Special Consultant at a press conference in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA- JUNE 19: Lawrence Frank, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, and Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers name Jerry West as Special Consultant at a press conference in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers made a lot of noise at the trade deadline and showed that they were ready to make bold moves for the future.

When the dust settled, Tobias Harris had gone up to knock down a floater to complete a 20-point comeback in Charlotte for the LA Clippers to help keep a stranglehold on the 8th seed – only to land wearing a Philadelphia 76ers uniform.

The rest of the roster didn’t fair any better as every Woj bomb at the trade deadline seem leave the team more twisted than a Hideo Nomo windup.

The whole thing came to an ended with the Clippers taking an uppercut punch to mouth in a 24-point lost to the Pacers in Indiana.

I’ll save you the trouble of having to borrow the Time Stone from Thanos to see this was the absolutely the greatest possible outcome for the Clippers going forward.

You see, the biggest problem that’s always plagued the Clippers hasn’t been being slapped around at Staples Center playing the role of little brother to Lakers.

It’s hasn’t been a cheap, unmotivated owner who heckles his own players from the stands. You know what? Before we continue let’s take a moment to says our daily thanks that Donald Sterling is long gone.

**waiting**

Okay, let’s keep going. Despite all the untimely injuries – Blake Griffin injuring his foot in the playoffs against the Jazz – and mind-numbing injuries – Corey Maggette thinking he could win a boxing match with the scorer’s table – those haven’t been the biggest issue: Gut-wrenching? Yes. Stomach-turning? Absolutely. Make you want to scream into a pillow after stress eating an entire carton of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream? You bet. However, there’s something else that has held the organization back even more.

Complacency. That’s been the biggest difficulty for the Clippers.

The complacency took on various forms within the Clippers organization over the past couple of decades. From 2001-2010 Clipper Nation and the team itself was strung out on the one-game-high. What’s the one-game-high you ask?

In 2009, when Baron Davis hit that turnaround jumper at the buzzer to beat the defending champions, Boston Celtics, and the Staples Center erupted into a frenzy as DeAndre Jordan, Eric Gordon and Steve Novak mold Davis in celebration, that was the one-game-high.

For years Clipper Nation lived off the one-game-high. After beating the Celtics in 2009, every Clippers fan walked around town with his or her chest puffed out for the next 24 to 48 hours, then it was back to the regularly schedule program of losing and trying not to draft anybody worse than Michael Olowokandi.

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It became one perpetual, complacent nightmare. The team, organization and fanbase should have demanded better.

On December 8, 2011 the Clippers finally got that better with the arrival of Chris Paul. Please put your pitchforks away. I’m not here to bash the Paul-Griffin-Jordan era; it was special in so many ways. It was the compass the organization needed and brought Clipper Nation countless of great memories.

Although it’s hard to argue that the team didn’t fall back into the trap of complacency. With every passing second round exit, the franchise seemed timid to make a big move. It became clear the team was missing something; but, rather mixing it up, the Clippers elected to just roll the same dice every season praying for a championship.

What would have happened if the Clippers had done a full court press on trading Griffin to the Nuggets for Will Barton, Danilo Gallinari and Nikola Jokic? Who knows, but looking back at it now it was worth the risk.

Complacency is a killer.

Fast-forward to after the 24-point thumping to the Pacers this season, and it seems the Clippers have finally figured it out.

Lawrence Frank and Jerry West wheeling and dealing at the trade deadline and putting their roster through a clearance sale, was the right move for the franchise.

Tobias Harris was a fan favorite, and it hurt to see him leave; but, this team was heading in the direction of being the spitting image of complacency. Never as bad as the early 2000s Clipper teams, but never as good as the CP3 era Clipper teams.

Following the trade deadline, the Clippers are now sitting with a handful of new draft picks, more cap space and a couple of exciting, young players that could be key parts of the team or valuable trade chips down the line.

Okay, I can’t hold it in any longer. I need to bloviate about Landry Shamet:

The newly acquired rookie from the 76ers is at the very least an incarnation of J.J. Redick. Shamet’s early shooting numbers in the NBA are auspicious; his release is quick and a thing of beauty. Beyond shooting, Shamet has shown a great feel for the game and plays with a confidence you don’t see in most rookies. Shamet’s 6’5” frame makes him an intriguing prospect on the defensive end of the court.

If you’re a sucker for narrative street, the kid comes from humble beginnings. Shamet was raised in a single-parent household and developed a love for barbeque from his mother, who used to work in a smokehouse.

Also, worthy to note Jerry West doesn’t miss when it comes to evaluating talent. So, if The Logo sees something in Shamet, there’s a chance it’s there.

Shamet is a gamer, talented, and has the potential to be a special player for the Clippers; but, one thing the rookie doesn’t appear to be complacent.

One thing is for sure: Lawrence Frank and Jerry West see the bigger picture beyond beating the Pacers in a regular season game. The series of moves at this season’s trade deadline are an indication the Clippers are poised to take risks and leaps to reach new pastures.

Will the Clippers trade for Anthony Davis in the offseason? Will they sign Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant? Will Clippers take a budding-star with the Miami Heat draft pick they attained from the 76ers? Will Jerry West convince Kyrie Irving to leave Boston for Los Angeles? All of this remains to be seen, but the Clippers are hungry to make something happen.

Next. LA Clippers Roundtable: Trade Deadline Edition. dark

Whether their grand plan materializes is anyone’s guess; but, no one can say they were complacent this time around.

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