Roundtable: Farewell, 2018-2019 LA Clippers, and the Hunt for Kawhi’s Tahoe

In another edition of our LA Clippers Slack Chat, the gang reviews the season, talks about free agency and discuss Kawhi Leonard’s car choices.

Logan Rapp: Okay. We’re going to get into analysis and free agency speculation later. That’s not what I want to do right now. This 2018-2019 season was an all-timer for the LA Clippers, especially for the fans. Forget specifics about the future for a moment — though we know it’s bright. Forget the analytics. When you look back at this season, in its totality, bringing the Warriors to 6, trading Tobias Harris, all of it. How do you feel? What has this season meant to you?

Matt Chong: This season was about everything that seemed to get lost in the Lob City era. Enjoying watching a team play that wasn’t about ego or under pressure to reach the NBA Finals. Just getting to see a bunch of good guys laying it on the line every night for their teammates and all of the Clippers fans.

Randi Geffner: As a lifer (season ticket holder since 1984) I am used to the ups and downs.  So many years of high expectations and disappointments. This season is one of the best in my memory, which goes back to the beginning in 1984.  I go to most of the home games, a handful of road games, and all of the playoff games; I have never seen the fans so happy, engaged, truly a sense of camaraderie that has been rare. I mean it has been there in shining moments, like the game 7 win over the Spurs a few years back, but I have never experienced a season with, for lack of a better word, such a good vibe from beginning to end.

Nate Jacobo: Heading into this season, I had no expectations at all for this team to go far, let alone make the playoffs, I was a little upset about letting Bobi and Tobi go, but the package of Shamet and picks in return were solid. This season might be my favorite in terms of liking the overall collective group, including rookies, vets that have been cast-off and true leaders (Bev, Trezz, Lou). I’m proud to say that I am a Clipper fan nowadays especially seeing this team comeback multiple occasions throughout the season and stealing two in Oracle this postseason. Overall, this season was a success all around.

Leonard Saldana: I had no expectations for the season to be honest. I knew the team would remain competitive but still salty after that Blake trade didn’t invest the same way. I love the players the team went out with though.

Randi Geffner: Being at Game 3 after the huge Game 2 win was a sense of Clipper community like nothing I’ve ever experienced.  And even Game 6 which ended our run was one of my favorite days at the Staples Center, that sentiment was echoed with everyone I spoke with at the game.

Logan Rapp: Over the course of the seven games I went to in Staples Center, comparing it to last season, there was just this feeling that capital-S Something  was happening with this team. There was zero disconnect between what the front office was saying about the culture and how the team displayed that culture. Tough, tough players who just refuse to give up. Watching them scrap and having these massive comebacks, well, for a broke writer living in Los Angeles, it’s just dang inspiring.

Nate Jacobo: Yeah, you could definitely feel the buzz in the air at Clipper games this year from warm-ups all the way to the final sounding of the horn. Everyone bought in collectively and knew their role.

Randi Geffner: Right, it wasn’t like the front office was pitching a feel-good culture to bring back the fan base that dwindled post-CP3.  From top to bottom, everyone was walking the walk not just talking the talk.

Logan Rapp: Off the top of your heads, what would you say are the three best moments of this season?

Randi Geffner: Including the playoffs or just regular season?  Because playoffs included, everyone probably has two of the best moments right there.

Logan Rapp: Well, let’s take what I’m going to assume is everyone’s favorite right off the board.

I mean, that’s number one, right? Probably the best Bingo that I can remember.

Randi Geffner: I still get goosebumps and I’ve watched it 100 times

Matt Chong: When I read on Twitter that the Clippers traded Avery Bradley to the Grizzlies… But honestly, it has to be the whole second half of the Clippers’ game two comeback against the Warriors, right? I mean, that game really had me feeling some type of way.

Randi Geffner: The comeback in Boston?

Nate Jacobo: My Three Best Moments this season (Post-Season included)

1. 31-point comeback vs. Golden State in Oracle Arena
2. 28-point comeback vs. Boston (Debut of 4 new Clippers)
3. 19-point comeback vs. Brooklyn at home (Lou Will’s GW 3)

Oh and also this piece of treasure from one Pat Bev:

Matt Chong: In second place for me is probably just literally any great thing that Shai did at any point in all 88 games the Clippers played.

Logan Rapp: It’s hard to take your eyes off Shai. His footwork and hand-eye coordination are… it’s hard to believe this was his rookie season.

Randi Geffner: My favorite Shai trivia….he just got his driver’s license. I mean  how adorable is that?

Logan Rapp: I also believe the team filled his first car with popcorn. At least, early on in the season, Lou informed Shai that this would be happening.

Nate Jacobo: You heard Lou’s explanation about that right?

Matt Chong: I mean, you forget the doughnuts four times, you’re gonna get your car popcorned. Them’s the rules.

Nate Jacobo: So funny and eye-opening

Randi Geffner: Words to live by.

Logan Rapp: Never. Forget. The. Doughnuts. Rook.

Nate Jacobo: Shai is incredible though from fashion, low maintence and of course having the longest name in the league (Shaivonte Gilgeous-Alexander).

Matt Chong: I’m naming my first-born son Shaivonte.

Logan Rapp: Something we have to remember is apparently one of his hobbies is that he draws in his spare time. Fans should be bugging him to show off some of his art.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up my favorite Pat Bev clip.

Nate Jacobo: My favorite Shai moment:

Logan Rapp: Man, it’s getting harder and harder to think of anyone I’d trade Shai for.

Matt Chong: Nobody. There is not one person. And I’m only partially kidding.

Nate Jacobo: He has the potential to be a star in this league for a very long time, should be an exciting summer of more development for him. Doc wanted him to lift more weights too. We should see a stronger SGA by training camp.

Logan Rapp: Pat Bev also implored Shai to take up yoga and not just get bigger.

Matt Chong: Hey, improved body control and balance for a kid as lanky as Shai can only help, although it’s already quite impressive.