The tides could change for the LA Clippers this summer, but how should our fan base handle it? Look at the original Warriors fans for an example.
Bandwagoner- a social phenomenon and also an insult, most often directed at “fake” fans celebrating the achievements of their chosen team. Here it is in a sentence:
“Get outta here ya fake fan. Smh bandwagoners everywhere.”
Contrary to fair-weather fans, bandwagon fans are typically those who support a team solely because they are having a successful season, despite never having an inkling to support them in the past. Oooooh, what team could I possibly be talking about here? Well… the Warriors. Duh. They’re certainly the best candidate for this discussion
But I would like to ask Clipper Nation to take a step back here for a second. Yes, it’s become fashionable to hate Warriors fans for their loud-as-jetplanes cheering volume in the Oracle Area and their everpresence at away games, but it’s also much more than that. Dubnation definitely made their presence known at the three Clipper home games during their round 1 playoff series and, even in Los Angeles, you can step into your local Lids hat store and find more Warriors merchandise than Clippers gear. These are all things Clipper fans find irritating, to put it lightly.
Think for a moment about genuine, loyal Warriors fans. They, just like the Clips, endured years and years of irrelevance – even going 10 years at one point without coming close to a playoff berth. Yes, it is true that they did at least have a couple titles under their belt, but they hadn’t achieved anything noteworthy in a generation. The fans who had suffered years of disappointment finally had something big to cheer for in 2015. Not only that, they would win three in four years, and are on track for another.
Is this not what we, Clipper Nation, want for our team? Those who’ve stood by this team for years and years deserve the same euphoria that the Warriors fans do. In this case, the Clippers are even more of a historical underdog. In almost 50 years of the franchise’s existence, the most bling this team has in its empty trophy case is two division titles coming is 2013 and 2014. This team is long overdue for a dynasty, and when that happens, you better believe that the bandwagons will arrive by the battalions.
And you know what… that’s OK. To quote the hosts of the LOCKED ON CLIPPERS podcast Charles Mocklet and Will Updyke: “If you’re just joining us on the bandwagon, welcome aboard”.
This is what could happen en masse if the Clippers were to land a superstar free agent this summer. Most fan polls indicate that Kawhi Leonard is the strong favorite, with Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler semi-distantly behind. In this case, it’s worth noting that there are many NBA fans out there who do not choose to completely support one team over another, but rather support specific players. The Warriors, for example, have a lot of fans because so many people are Curry and Durant fans. Similarly, a lot of Rockets fans are fans because of the appeal and dominant offense of James Harden.
And that’s also OK. But, it is worth recognizing that some people hopping on the potential bandwagon may not be Clipper loyalists, but rather loyal to the free agent the front office might sign. The team could attract disenchanted Laker fans, and others may become diehard LAC fans regardless of who is on the team. Kudos to the latter – that’s the most noble and challenging path.
But, when it all come down to it, we are all Clipper fans no matter how we got here. We’ve bought jerseys, gone to games, bought the NBA league pass to watch Ralph’s broadcasts if we lived out of market, we’ve written about them, talked about them, cried over them, and hoped for their success.
This is all to be taken with a huge grain of salt. My speech here is only fully relevant if the Clippers make a big signing. It is very possible they don’t, but if they do, and this team becomes a contender again, this fanbase and who we are will become that which we are also annoyed by -bandwagoners, loud Clipper fans at away games, a ton more merchandise sales, and increased media dominance.
Let’s stay humble. We want the world to know that Clipper Nation has class.
Lastly, let’s respect fellow fan bases whose teams have gone through tough droughts. Good on you, Warriors fans! Your investment into your team paid off, and you even got a lot of people across the country to join you in your long-deserved resurgence.
But now (hopefully), it’s our turn.