I used to think Billy Crystal was a weird dude. Don't get me wrong. I loved his comedy, loved his movies, and I used to say "That's mah-velous" all the time. I used to think he was weird because he was a Clippers fan.
Now, now I think he's a genius. Not only a comedy genius, but a genius, genius. Now, there are as many celebrities at Clippers games as Lakers games. You have Penny Marshall, Frankie Munoz, even Terrel Owens. I even saw the kid who played Shaggy in the Movie version of Scooby Doo at the Clippers game. It's gone Primetime, almost...
Clippers will never be the Lakers.
They don't have a cool cat like Nicholson on the sidelines. They will probably never have the history the Lakers have. But, they're getting close to being top dog, for now. It's a long road sometimes to get from second to first fiddle. For now, at least, they've eCLIPSed some of the Lakers spotlight. Now, Jack looks more like the bad guy Jack from a Few Good Men and not the good guy Chinatown Jack.
And those that have stuck by this team, all those loyal Clippers fans that stuck through the stink of losing season after season, all those guys are handing out their collective "I told you so's" all over the city.
There is some truth to the saying that Clippers fans are Lakers fans who couldn't afford Lakers tickets. I was one of those guys, sort of.
A few years back when the Lakers were winning like everything, I worked for a law firm that had season tickets to both teams. And I so badly wanted to go to a Lakers game because I'd never been. If the firm wasn't using their tickets, they'd give them away in a drawing to a lucky employee. There were never any Lakers tickets in the drawing. There were only Clippers and Sparks tickets. I wasn't that interested in the Sparks so I never put my name in the hat for them. But for the Clippers I put my name in the drawing box every time and nearly every time I won. Then I found out...
I was the only one who was even drawing for the tickets. They eventually started to give the tickets to me. I loved every minute of it, because every team the Clippers played was like the Globetrotters and you got to see some really good relaxed play without all that hooplah and fanfare.
And the most important thing was that I got to meet people. The core fanbase. The other guys there just like me who got free tickets from the company cofffer. The stands were so sparse that I could actually yell at a Michael Olowokandi from the top section and he would actually turn around for a second and look at me while running down to cover on defense.
Over the past few years, the fans have grown and now the stands are as full as they are for Lakers games. But you can still find those loyals there. You can hear a somewhat more muffled Clipper fan Darrell, the ultimate Clipper fan, yelling out his, "Let's go Clippers! Let's Go!"
DARRELL BAILEY, CLIPPERS FAN EXTRAORDINAIRE
There's also this guy with a deep voice that I've sat by a dozen times who used to yell out "Free Fries!" at every game because that was all there was to look forward to, that maybe the Clippers would score a three-pointer in the final minute of the third-quarter. Now they stopped giving out free fries at the games because the Clippers have too many good three-point shooters.
LEARNING TO WALK THE WALK
The stands used to be filled with guys who could relate to the underdog, guys and gals who knew about losing, guys and gals not fortunate enough to get Lakers tickets. And now that the Clippers are suddenly winning, the losers are learning to become winners. And there are a lot of people in the stands who look like wide-eyed babies who are seeing the world for the first time.
During the Nuggets series, in that first home game, the Clippers fans were so geared up for their team. They were yelling and screaming and stomping and waving the #### sticks. By the second half, they were burnt out, the energy was more subdued. They hadn't learned yet how to pace themselves through an entire game with a winning playoff team. I used to see Astros fans do this. Astros fans did not have, and still do not have, that swagger, that complacent quietitude of a Yankees fan. They scream, they holler, they're so happy to be there.
When you grow up and you learn the ropes of what it takes to be successful, it's almost impossible to maintain the innocence. With experience comes a certain amount of decadance.
I could say I don't want Clippers fans to grow up to be Lakers fans. But there's a certain amount to be learned. You learn from the best. And the best is what the Lakers have been, historically speaking. Clippers, steal some of that fire from down the Staples Center hallway and use it to cook up your own individual success. And Clippers fan, learn how to act like a winner, look like a winner, because, now, you are a winner.
OTHER SECOND FIDDLES
I just want to mention for a bit some other teams with similar situations to the Clippers- Lakers.
WHITE SOX: ALREADY FIRST FIDDLE
Let's face it. The Cubs haven't won anything in a long time. But it's an interesting situation. They've been top dog for a long time by virtue of an archaic stadium which attracts a lot of fans. They're an oddity. You go to Wrigley field to see a game when you go to Chicago and the Cubs happen to play there. They've drawn crowds despite not winning the World Series in a million years.
In recent years, they've had contender teams but now they're sliding and the White Sox are glad to take the spot light. Winning the World Series was that statement. They're cooler, hipper and winning-er (I know it's not a word) than the Cubs.
The Cubs will have some serious soul-searching, I believe, after this season is over. I'm not sure they even contend for the wild card. We shall see.
THE NETS: FIRST FIDDLE FOR NOW
The Nets have taken the top spot from the Knicks in New York. But it's tenuous. Yeah, I know the Knicks are terrible. But the Nets haven't taken advantage of being in the top spot while the Knicks have been down. For now, Nets fans can rub it in the Knicks fans' faces. But they haven't won it all. If they can do that, they have a good chance of being top dog for good. Or at least a good long time.
THE JETS: I USED TO BE TOP DOG
The New York Jets had their moment in the sun. But it was a long, long time ago when a man named Naimath guaran"sheed" a super bowl win and put himself permanently into football lore. But since that time, and before that time, it's been Giants, Giants, Giants. Successfully built teams vs. teams built by shoddy draft choices. Jets fans, I think, are finally learning that, hey, we gotta build a team. Some of them were even happy about the D'Brick choice. They're building up the trenches and doing it old-fashioned. But they still need that big shot who can predict them into a superbowl win. Don't think they have it.
THE METS: I AM IN PURGATORY
New York Mets can have a dozen miracle 69's and they'll never be top dog of the city. Sorry maybe in a hundred years. Mets fans are very similar to Clippers fans. You have to take advantage of the turmoil that is the top dog of the city. You key in on that and you feel good about yourself and you enjoy a few good years where your team is winning and geting noticed and the Yankees fan is all stressed because they didn't win the freaking whole thing.
Sometimes being the top dog really bites because everyone thinks you're a failure if you don't win the superbowl/NBA Finals/World Series. Sometimes it's better to be a surprise. The dark horse coming out of nowhere. When you win, you can really, really enjoy it. It's not just a big sigh of relief.
SOME FAVORITE BLOGS
There are so many great blogs on here worth mentioning. I just wanted to point out a few I enjoy reading and some for which I can't wait for the next post .
1. Moore Sports -- Keep it up, guy. Good stuff. Consistent. And when he reads your blog you can tell he's really read it and given you some good pointers, things to think about.
2. Socalsportsfan -- I've read some thinkers on his page and learned a lot. I really enjoy your insight. Keep it up.
3. Red Sox DamnNation -- The sex starved panda -- Very humorous take on the world of the Sox. Props, man.
4. Dr. Crab -- Woah, Dude! There's some serious breakdown and analysis on there. Definitely get some serious sports enrichment from reading ya.
Lots, lots more than that, guys!
Outta here like, like, when is Bonds gonna hit that thing?
Good read, Mav. Poor Cubbies. I was so blinded by their supposed potential last season that I missed the White Sox drive to the penant. I'll never forgive myself for this one.
My wife's company owns a luxury suite at Staples Center. I've been to hundreds of Clipper games over the past eight seasons. Now, given their championship run, I can't get within two blocks of the Staples Center. I think a lot of purple and gold are perpetrating the Red, White and Blue.
I like to also mention your post as one that I really really enjoy reading a lot!
-- So you definitely know about this Clipper evolution -- that's awesome your wife has luxury seat tickets -- I totally envy you -- didn't get to see as many games as I wanted to this year since everyone and their mother seems to be buying Clips tickets on ebay and I don't get too many freebies anymore --yeah I know some Lakers fans at my job and around town are on the bandwagon and are totally supporting the team and bashing their own team -- but the Lakers will be back to being top dog or at least share of the top soon, maybe a year or two.
You ever hear the term "Sports-Bigamist"? It refers to someone who is simultaneously a fan of two teams that could potentially - or regularly do - play each other. This is the story of my Life. Dodgers/Angels, Raiders/Rams (Before they left and went to different places and now I don't like either of them), Kings/Ducks and, of course, Lakers/Clippers. The last is the hardest, though. It's because the Lakers have SO much history that being a lakers fan almost becomes like a religion. And the Clippers... well... they're like the developementally challenged cousin that you love to death, but whenever the cool kids come around, you don't really talk to him that much. But don't let one of those cool kids say something mean about yoru beloved Clippers, because it will be all-out WAR! That's how being a Clipper fan has felt for years. Now, the Clippers are good - They are really good, like it wouldn't be rediculous to think about them beating Dallas/SA in the West (even though it seems like a pipe-dream), that kind of good. And the Lakers are improving. And even though it didn't happen this year, I know we're going to see them in a Series against one another in the near future. That's when you and I, and all of the Sports-Bigamists around Sothern California will be put to the test. Do we follow our hearts and stick up for the little guy who's finally getting a leg up in life? Or do what we're supposed to do, and follow the Order of Laker?
Hadn't realized I committed bigamy but you're absolutely right -- good comparison about the dev-challenged cousin. I sort of adopted the Clippers in that manner years ago and didn't want any one to really bad mouth them or at least felt a sore spot when someone did.
Yeah I've been a sports bigamist since birth -- I was raised on the Cowboys but then came to like the Oilers. I really was confused as a kid. Sometimes I'd root for the Cowboys and sometimes the Oilers. Now, of course I can't root for the Oilers and don't root all that much for the boys I've since been rooting for the Bears of all teams.
Funny, I might be a polygamist. Maybe even qualify as a mormon not to offend anyone out there who is mormon. You guys produce some good QB's. Anyway I might be a polygamist because on top of liking the Lakers/Clippers I like the Mavs/Rockets/Spurs trio as well and you can throw in a casual fling with the lowly hawks and hornets.
thanks for the comments pi -- I'm gonna check out your blog uno momento
Mustang -- will do -- I'm glad he gets a second look and possibly even a chance to start the season -- me likes mitch albom so will definitely check out -- oh me oh my -- heartbreak city last night for Clipper fan darrell but they'll bring it home and hopefully win that game -- what a thriller!
Hey, Mav! I liked the read alot! I agreed with your take on the under dog never really getting to be top dog. The Mets can spend and spend and spend (oh wait they did that), but no amount of winning is going to take the place of those pin-striped Steinbrenner's in people's hearts. As a Mets fan, I used to be somewhat "embarrassed" by their lack of success. Now, even though they're winning, I'm a bit ashamed of the organization. I'm all for building a better team. I just wish they wouldn't have followed the Yankees model of doing it. Thanks for the read! =)
Hey Mav, I think I might be a little proprietary if I had been a fan of the Clippers through all the bad times, then watched all the Johnny-come-latelies fill the stands for the good times. On the other hand, I'd be glad there were good times, so maybe it's a wash....nice job....
Just me, thanks for reading it -- I always had a fascination for the Mets -- I would've loved to have gone back in time to their miracle year just to see the genesis of Nolan Ryan. I followed them when Dwight was there as well -- yeah the yanks get the hype but they also get all that stress
Thanks man, Proprietary's a great word for it -- yeah I think you see that sort of I told you so look on some of the mainstays who look upon the newbie fans -- but I think they overlook some punk laker fan who's catching the clipper wave for a moment as long as the team is winning
You made a Clippers fan out of me. I actually have been rooting for them since I have never cared for the Lakers. I love it when perennial laughingstocks finally get a chance to shove it to the big boys. (Yanks excluded) Nice post.
your conspiracy theory blog by the way was great --it's funny 'cause I heard so many people talking today about nash and how it looked like he got away with stuff in the games and how they thought it must be because the commissioner talked to the officials and the fact that he's MVP and stuff.
Like GUNNS and DRC here; both have commented on my posts recent/archived, both are friends of mine and very solid writers. To go with sports knowledge.
I am reading your posts in your blog. I will hang out in your blog for awhile.
thanks a bunch man! yeah always enjoy reading gunns and drc -- both excellent with their information and gunns may very well convince me to play dodgeball -- always cool to meet new peeps on here -- looking forward to reading your posts past and future
Dude, I'm floored by how good this stuff is. I've only read two entries and they've both been winners. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading about a player with such a bland personality like Tony Parker and the freaking Clippers.
Just wanted to comment before I started reading about the Braves and forgot. Keep up the good work.
MVP thanks man!
I've learned a lot from reading all the great blogs on here -- I like the topics you're tackling on yours... saw you just put one up so will check out.
I was abandoned as a baby by an oil rig worker named Ramses who set me off in a little raft to die at sea. I was eventually found on a Gulf Coast shore by a one-clawed crustacean who raised me until I was old enough to cook and eat him.
In all seriousness, I'm originally from Houston, Texas. I graduated with an English degree from University of Texas. After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles and have been working in the entertainment industry ever since. Between jobs, I moved to Paris, France for a year and wrote for various magazines over there. I moved back to Los Angeles and am currently working in the music industry for Warner Bros.
I've followed and played sports all my life, mostly BBF (Basketball, Baseball, Football). If I had a sports program I'd call it "The BBF".
