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Fansided

Lifer’s Guide for Bandwagon Clippers Fans

By Joseph Raya-Ward

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Shirts are laid out for fans before Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Shirts are laid out for fans before Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers questions a call as Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons walks past during their NBA basketball game at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 12, 2019. The Detroit Pistons defeated the LA Clippers 109-104. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers questions a call as Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons walks past during their NBA basketball game at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 12, 2019. The Detroit Pistons defeated the LA Clippers 109-104. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) /

1. Say things like “Actually, the Clippers don’t attract Kawhi without Blake Griffin.”

I’m still hurt by the Blake trade. I know that we aren’t supposed to be because it was a huge part of why the Clippers were able to pull off the moves to land both Kawhi and PG, but it still hurts my feelings. I almost teared up watching a compilation of Blake dunks at work the other day.

That’s the amount of emotion you SHOULD have when you start talking about Blake. Write that down.

The drafting of Blake Griffin started the Clippers on a path to legitimacy. It gave the franchise a superstar that could attract other superstars. It culminated in the Chris Paul trade which started Lob City, which vaunted the Clippers into the forefront of NBA discussions for the first time in a very, very long time. The team was not a pushover or a laughingstock anymore. They were a legitimate team that was even discussed as a potential championship contender for the first time, well, probably ever.

Blake was just as much of a reason for that as Chris Paul. Blake was even the best player in the playoffs on the team in 2014-2015 that, if not for that meltdown against the Rockets, looked like they had a real chance of making it to the Finals. Blake averaged 25.5pts/12.7rb/6.1ast that postseason. That’s insane. He looked like he was ready to be one of the best players in the league. Then Josh Smith and Corey Brewer had to ruin everything. I’m still mad. You should be, too.

Without Blake, the player, the Clippers are probably still languishing as a bottom feeder in the West. They probably are still on the “stay away” list in free agency. Without Blake, the trade chip, the team does not accumulate the assets that directly lead to the team being in the position to acquire both stars. (side note: go look at that transaction chain if you want your mind to be blown. The Blake Trade to the Summer of 2019 is a WILD ride)

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