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For the LA Clippers it’s not a catastrophe; it’s a complication

By Randi Geffner

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the lane against Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 01, 2021 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. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the lane against Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 01, 2021 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. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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So, about last night. To be honest, I didn’t realize how painful it still is to watch games against Denver. I guess that wound hasn’t quite healed yet and hearing our own announcers heap so much praise on the other guys adds a little salt. But I’m the eternal LA Clippers optimist, I’m a lifer with this team, so I settled in for the game, buoyed by the last-minute news that Paul George would be back in the lineup.

It humbles me to admit that my optimism was tested pretty quickly. By mid-second quarter I was checking in with my usual Clippers text support system, with a painfully simple question – are the Clippers suddenly a bad team? My people showed up for me, with thoughtful and fact-based words of encouragement to counterbalance my growing freak out.

One friend, who is referred to as Clippers Yoda, reminded me that the team just had a six-game winning streak so it’s not very likely that we are now simply bad. Another friend, who has ridiculously exhaustive basketball knowledge and actually re-watches games, like the team does, to analyze strengths and weaknesses, gave me a simple “it will be OK”. I was also reminded by two friends that “it hurts not having Serge” and “everyone is hurt”. I couldn’t help but feel, a little bit, that the “everyone” who is hurt somehow included me.

The LA Clippers are struggling but there is a reason for optimism.

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At the Staples Center, I never ever leave a game early. Whether up by 20, down by 20, I am there as long as the team is still on the floor. Last night, as things went further south, I left my team and switched from the game to Grey’s Anatomy, keeping the Clippers app with the evolving score in my hand the whole time. I glanced at my phone with hope when the Denver lead dwindled in the fourth, to the positive text of “here we go” from one of my favorite game-day Clippers companions. I switched back to the game with 7 minutes left, down by 3. Not the best decision for my fragile optimism.

We lost the game, I headed back to Grey’s Anatomy, which is the source of most of my knowledge about life (and also my misguided belief that I can diagnose and treat most medical conditions). Things weren’t going well on Grey’s Anatomy either, what with the pandemic and shortage of ventilators and some unusual internal organ somehow becoming displaced. And then the message that I needed, that we all need, was spoken by one of the doctors on Grey’s.

“It’s not a catastrophe; it’s a complication.”

The reference was to the internal organ situation, but it actually was the perfect metaphor for the loss to Denver, the loss to Orlando, the underlying uneasiness of the last few basketball days. Two losses are just a complication. Nothing catastrophic is happening in the Clippers’ universe. Complications happen, we address them and get better from them. Not every setback is a catastrophe.

I heard Blake Griffin interviewed on a podcast not long ago. In discussing situations that may seem out of reach, he said, sometimes you have to just breathe and let the game come to you. Sage advice whether the game is basketball or really anything else.

Next. How bad luck factors in for the Clippers. dark

So about last night? There were complications. Not catastrophes. I’m going to heed the outstanding authorities of the good doctors of Grey’s Anatomy and Blake Griffin and just breathe. All is well.

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