The Clippers aren't just playing to win, they want to change the culture of Los Angeles basketball, and we all know that cannot come to fruition without a ring
You may have given up on the Clippers' chances again this season, but the gritty team filled with heart and toughness will never quit and tenacity has become their identity
Advanced Statistics used in this article are from ESPN.com, NBA.com, and StatMuse.com.
The Clippers had so much momentum after their blowout win against the Lakers 132-111 last Thursday night as it showed dominance over their crosstown rival but, more importantly, secured a five-game cushion as the Western Conference’s 8th seed.
That was the 6th straight time the Clippers have beaten the Lakers and their 32nd win out of their last 39 games against them, but the feat doesn’t get covered much on any media platforms simply because the Clippers really have nothing to show for it.
The Lakers won their 17th ring just two years ago, and the Clippers have come up short many times. They made the Western Conference Finals last season and will undoubtedly have a fantastic chance to get even further if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can return in time for this year’s playoffs. Nonetheless, they are set up nicely for the next couple of years at the very least to deliver the organization and its fans its first championship.
However, Clippers fans will tell you that they have to see it to believe it after years of failure and coming up short. But this is exactly why the Clippers play with a chip on their shoulder, whereas the Lakers play with no heart and passion for the game even with more talent.
It doesn’t matter how good of a roster the Clippers have, they are going to always play with a chip on their shoulder and be the underdog, simply because the Lakers have been and always will be one of the most storied franchises in team sports history.
The grit and grind mentality that has shaped the organization of the Clippers has stemmed from being the little brother and the team that is overlooked, even after they have outplayed the Lakers for almost a decade now in their head-to-head matchups.
Yes, Intuit Stadium is being built and the Clippers will have their own home, but that won’t change what the Clippers are aiming for. They want the heart of the city, the same city that they have given their all to for these past couple of years especially. It’s more than just about basketball, they want the respect, that they too are a juggernaut like the storied organization playing in the same building.
It doesn't matter how many championships the Clippers win, and how many losing seasons the Lakers have, more fans will support the Lakers regardless because of the history. Everyone knows that including the Clippers’ owners and front office. But what they can do is continue to win against all odds by playing with grit and toughness, and they could inspire a whole new generation of Los Angeles basketball fans.
Just look at this season for example. They blew out the Lakers, then proceeded to get blown out twice the next week, but that didn’t hurt their confidence whatsoever. They came back and beat the Washington Wizards and are set to play in Atlanta to face the Hawks tonight. Whether they win or not, they will give their best effort and wreak havoc against the Hawks with their hard-nosed, never-quit mentality.
The Clippers have already won 35 games without their two superstars most of the season, and have pretty much secured one of the top 8 seeds in the Western Conference. Just over a week ago, I came out with an article dealing how efficient of a player Terance Mann is, and how he has continued to flourish in his role (even though Ty Lue still hasn’t implemented him enough into the offense).
Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr., Luke Kennard, Isaiah Hartenstein, Robert Covington, and Ivica Zubac have all played amazing as a unit to go along with Mann, and no one on the team is even averaging more than 17 points per game (Jackson is the leader with 17.0 as Paul George hasn’t played enough games).
Most of the guys that have stepped up to lead this team into the playoffs have been career role-players, being overlooked and seen as the underdogs their whole lives, which is why they are flourishing. Reggie Jackson almost retired from the NBA just over two years ago, and now is the leading scorer of a playoff team.
Ivica Zubac was just given away by the Lakers seen as expendable, Terance Mann was a second-rounder, Luke Kennard was given up on by the Pistons, Isaiah Hartenstein started his career in the G-League, and Amir Coffey was signed off the street just over three months ago. Robert Covington and Marcus Morris Sr. have had great careers but have never been more than above-average role players.
So how are they winning games? Because all of the “underdogs” will never not see themselves as “underdogs” regardless of how much they win. They are all playing together, they understand each other’s game and each other’s hustle. They all want the same team and can sacrifice their egos to get there.
A plus is all of these career “role players” can play elite defense which is why the Clippers have the 7th overall defensive rating in the NBA of 108.4. They certainly are struggling to score without their two superstars as their 107.5 offensive rating is ranked 26th in the NBA, but they still are finding ways to win.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard may be superstars now, but that hasn’t always been the case. They were doubted by many people, including NBA scouts and college coaches at their local Southern California high schools.
Both grew up wanting to get recruited by top D1 schools like UCLA or even Arizona, but both ended up taking the mid-major route and attending Freso State (George) and San Diego State (Kawhi Leonard). Both of them had to work their tails off to be in the position they are in today, and like all of the role players on the Clippers named above, they still see themselves as “underdogs” despite having loads of success at the NBA level.
In conclusion, there is a recipe for the Clippers’ success despite being doubted and overlooked as the city of Los Angeles’ little brother. The players they sign are all indicative of their organization's identity. Tenacious “underdogs” trying to make a name for themselves and get the respect they deserve.
Another player that never let his “underdog” mentality go despite being one of the all-time greats was the late Kobe Bryant. He instilled the “Mamba Mentality” in Los Angeles culture forever and the Clippers, not the Lakers, are the team that wants to keep that going. The Lakers play like they have nothing to prove and like they don’t want to win.
The “Mamba Mentality” has left their organization completely despite them honoring and admiring what Bryant did for their organization and for the city of Los Angeles. Like I mentioned before, the Clippers will never have more fans than the Lakers in at least our lifetime, but they can build off of what Bryant created in the “Mamba Mentality” by signing players who are seen as “underdogs” that play with heart and toughness and will do anything to win at all costs.
They are showing that to Los Angeles as we speak in the midst of another season where they have “overachieved” because of how they are built. If the Clippers continue to succeed and use their grit and toughness that resonates with so many Angelinos, they could finally win over the respect and hearts of millions of fans that they have deserved for quite some time.
However, we know that this is only possible if they win a championship, something they continue to fall short of every season. If the Lakers continue to disappoint and not show any effort to improve, only more fans in future generations will support the Clippers as they will be seen as the team of the future.