If I have to pinpoint the moment I became a Clippers fan it would probably be back in 1994, when I was in the 6th grade.
Prior to moving to Lompoc, CA, I lived in Monterey and, ironically, I would see Golden State Warriors games a lot. I remember watching Tim Hardaway, Sr. cross everyone over before he was traded to Miami. Had I stayed in Monterey I would have been a Warriors fan.
My parents and I arrived in Lompoc during spring break. When the cable finally got hooked up (thank God) I found myself seeing Los Angeles Lakers’ and the Clippers’ games on TV. I was never into the Purple and Gold though and, being that it was the 90’s, I was one of millions of young Black kids that loved watching Michael Jordan.
I remember watching the Clippers trade their star player (Danny Manning) for Dominique Wilkins. At this point Wilkins was old, but was still a proven scoring threat as he averaged 28.8 points per game in 28 games for the Clippers.
Watching the Clippers, I was instantly grabbed by the underdog-blue-collar culture. Yet, back then, at the age I was, I didn’t broadcast my newly found allegiance to a dismal franchise. However, I felt like the team wouldn’t be bad forever. All teams start out terrible, but improve over time. I always had this faith in the back of my mind.
Gradually, I revealed my loyalty as a Clippers fan. As I got older, I started wearing Clippers attire: jerseys hats, etc. My friends thought I was insane, especially my friends that are die hard Lakers fans. As the years went by, slowly the Clippers got better as a franchise and a team.
The turning point definitely had to be the events that lead to long-time owner Donald Sterling selling the team to Steve Ballmer. Sterling never cared about winning; therefore, the Clippers gained a reputation for becoming a pit stop for former great players to die (retire).
Nonetheless, Clipper Nation pressed forward and held on even as the Warriors became a dynasty and won multiple championships. Well, the Warriors are in last place in the West now.
The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard and traded for Paul George this past off season and things are looking better than ever. To be honest with ya’ll, being a Clippers fan represents me entirely because I don’t move with everyone else. I work hard. I put my time in. I make my own path.
