Story by Isaiah Salgado
Staff Writer
For years when the topic of basketball in Los Angeles was brought up, the first thing on everyone’s mind was the Lakers, who have won 16 championships since they started in 1947.
But this season, a strange thing happened, another team began stealing Los Angeles basketball headlines — the Clippers.
The Clippers have yet to win a championship since they started in 1970 but are looking to change that. Before last year, the Clippers were the butt of every basketball joke, most people laughing at the lack of talent or promise the team had.
Luckily for the former hard-to-find Clipper fans, the Los Angeles Clippers are in the run for an NBA Championship.
It’s easy to understand why the usually shy Clipper fans are so outspoken lately. Their starting lineup includes All-Stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Paul is in his seventh year in the NBA and is considered by many to be the best point guard in the league. Blake Griffin is in his third year in the NBA as the Clipper’s power forward. He has had a big impact in rebounding and scoring for the Clipper’s along with highlight dunks that excite their fans.
“I’ve been a Clipper fan since Blake Griffin joined,” junior Kenneth Tarroza said. “He is one of the most exciting players I’ve ever seen. He does things that leave people in awe.”
Blake Griffin is the face of the Clipper’s, Chris Paul however, delivers on court as the leader and playmaker.
“I feel like people get too caught up in the whole lob city thing,” junior Brian Santillan said. “People sometimes ignore Chris Paul. He is the best point guard in the NBA at the moment and he is the leader of this team.”
Many NBA fans feel like the Clippers are definitely going to the playoffs and have a good chance at winning the NBA finals.
“Well the Clippers are going to the playoffs for sure,” junior James Valencia said. “I think they definitely have a chance to win the finals, but it’s going to be tough.”
The outlook for this season looks good for the Clippers. The franchise’s future, however, doesn’t seem positive according to history teacher Mr. Ronald Woolsey.
“They are not going to continue with this streak in the future,” Mr. Woolsey said. “The ownership is lousy. Donald Sterling is going to mess it up. Chris Paul’s contract ends this year, and he might not come back.”
Right now, the Clippers are looking good and could win their first NBA title this year. The question isn’t whether or not the Clippers are cool, because they definitely are. The question is whether they are here to stay or if they will become just another fad.
