Lifer’s Guide for Bandwagon Clippers Fans

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 – APRIL 16: Eric Piatkowski #52 of the Los Angeles Clippers motivates his teammates prior the NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 16, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 107-93. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 16: Eric Piatkowski #52 of the Los Angeles Clippers motivates his teammates prior the NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 16, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 107-93. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images)

3. Buy an Eric Piatkowski jersey

Okay, I will admit this one is a little off the wall, but bear with me. I know that when you read that name your first thought was “Who?”. You’re not wrong to ask that question, but Eric Piatkowski is one of the longest tenured Clippers ever. No, really.

Piatkowski is third in games played in Clippers franchise history. But, did you know that he is also first in three-point field goals made? And eighth all time in offensive win shares? And that he shot 40.2% from deep during his time with the team, which is good for seventh all time? I bet you didn’t!

However, he was primarily a bench player who averaged under 9 points per game throughout his 9 seasons with the team. The Clippers’ history is not the deepest, or richest, if you didn’t know that already.

Buying his jersey and wearing it to games will definitely help you win “Longtime Clippers Fan” points, though. And, if you wanna get in with the NBA hipster crowd, you’ll have a super hipster NBA fan jersey in your possession. It’s kind of a win-win.

Other info to know about Piatkowski so people don’t think you bought the jersey ironically:

He played four years at Nebraska. His jersey was retired there.

  • He was a first round draft pick, originally selected by the Pacers. He was traded to the Clippers in the Mark Jackson deal.
  • He was a part of a group that tried to buy the Clippers in 2014.

    His nickname is The Polish Rifle. Write that down.