Los Angeles Clippers

Sorry. This is the best picture of the Clippers that I could find. Actually, the picture really says a lot about what the team is all about - constantly getting dunked on. Not just physically, but metaphorically as well. If the Lakers are Paris Hilton, then the Clippers are Nicky Hilton - big difference. If the Lakers are Alec Baldwin, the Clipps are Stephen Baldwin. If the Lakers are Marcia, the Clipps are Jan. I think you get the point. Often overlooked, never really appreciated, these are your Los Angeles Clippers.

History
The Clippers officially moved to Los Angeles from San Diego in 1984. They didn't make the playoffs until 1992, behind Danny Manning and Ron Harper. They would lose in the first round that year and the following year, and again in 1997. The Clippers we failing to find a face of the franchise. From 1982 to 2000, 11 different players led the team in scoring. Not exactly consistent. That was until they traded for Elton Brand in 2001. The next year they brought in Corey Maggette, and finally, they had some consistency. In 2006, they made the Western Conference semi-finals with a squad that most NBA teams would envy - they had six players average double-figure scoring.

Current Situation
The Clipps season was over before it even began. The loss of star power forward Elton Brand on top of the season-ending injury to up-and-coming point guard Shaun Livingston left the Clipps hurting. The Clipps started the season 4-0 before going 4-15 in December and early January. In March, the Clipps went 3-15 and were looking at a lottery pick in the 2008 draft. The Clipps lost Chris Kaman for the better part of the last three months. Kaman was in the running for Most Improved Player award and was the only dominating player in the Clipps lineup. The Clipps ended the season losing seven in a row. The long bright spot for the season? Rookie Al Thornton averaged over 15 ppg the last three months of the season. Here's to next year, fellas!

Fun Fact
In the 1998 NBA Draft, the Clipps selected Michael Olowokandi with the first overall pick. He was selected ahead of Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, and Mike Bibby. Way to go Clippers!

Why People Like Them
The reasons for liking the Clippers have more to do with not liking the Lakers than actually liking the Clippers. The Clippers are the red-headed step-child of Los Angeles. Let's look at real reasons for liking the Clipps. Cheaper ticket prices, no accusations of being a bandwagon fan, and Chris Kaman. Kaman is the Brad Pitt of basketball. I've seen women throw their bras at him from the top level of the Staples Center. His nickname is Caveman - how awesome is that?

Why People Hate Them
They suck. Like, they are honestly terrible. When D-League all-star Nick Fazekas is actually getting play time on an NBA team - you know your team sucks. And they simply lack history. They have only made the playoffs four times in their 24 seasons. They have never had a dynasty. They have had only true all-star caliber player (Brand), and they have been in the shadow of the Lakers ever since they moved to Los Angeles. They should have never left Buffalo in 1978.

#1 Fan
Frankie Muniz. Yup, the kid from "Malcom in the Middle" is their biggest fan. He's got courtside seats and goes to just about every game. The only reason he's a fan is because he didn't want to compete with Nicholson and Dyan Cannon for attention at Lakers games. But I'll be honest - I was a HUGE fan of "MinM" and the Clipps should be happy that at least one person in Hollywood likes them, even if he is on the B-list. I mean Billy Crystal is a fan too...but his last good movie was "City Slickers." Their other 'celebrity' fan is Kadeem Hardison. He played the dead brother in "The Sixth Man" co-starring Marlon Wayans. "The Sixth Man" is more commonly known as "Worst Basketball Movie ever made not named 'Eddie'."

Best Player
Elton Brand is definitely one of the most overlooked players in the NBA. He averages a double double (20.3 ppg, 10.2 rbg) but has only played in two All-Star games. He is extremely physical and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, finishing in the top 10 every year of his career. Brand is also one of the nicest guys in the NBA, winning the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2006. He came back from injury this year to play in the final 8 games, and he looked surprisingly good, averaging 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Venue
The Clippers play at the Staples Center, or as it's more popularly known, "The Lakers Arena." The good thing about the Clippers is that the seats are cheaper than Lakers games, so when the Spurs or Celtics or Suns come to town, you can watch a good team play for cheap. The Clippers should take the next step and offer cheaper beers. If the Clipps starting selling PBR and Popov cocktails, I don't think anyone would be surprised or disappointed.

Simers Says
Sterling has stuck with Elgin Baylor as GM, and then asks, "How come we can't win one of these years?''

Dwyre Says
Much better than people expect next season.

Verdict
Do you:
a) absolutely loathe the Lakers?
b) enjoy watching crummy basketball?
c) like the television show "Cavemen"?
d) enjoy spending your playoffs watching other teams play?

If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, you should be a Clippers fan. But take warning: You will be frustrated! You may find yourself up late and night contemplating your life's choices! You may inexplicably become depressed after watching games! Being a Clippers fan isn't picking up a hobby - it's taking on a second job, a second mortgage, and a second kid. Good luck to you.