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Speculation about exactly what the biggest NBA free agent prize since Shaquille O’Neal will do come summer 2010 has been going on as long as the current recession….longer actually. While the rest of us schlubs worry about our next paycheck still being there next week, The Chosen One’s future is as bright as the camera flashes that have followed him since he was a grade school basketball prodigy still rocking Kobe’s signature kicks.
In watching the Lakers work over the JV squad in the Los Angeles basketball hierarchy Friday night I came to the conclusion that for the Clippers to ever break the curse of being the biggest loser franchise of all loser franchises they need to make a bold move and bring LeBron to LaLaLand. They made a play for Kobe a few years ago but failed, why not go for broke again? With the recent revelation of the Clippers losing last years overall #1 pick in the NBA draft Blake Griffin for the year, the internet has been on fire pointing out just how bad things have gone over the years in Clipperville. I'm not sure "cursed" is a strong enough word to describe the pathetic history of the woeful Clippers.
Botched draft picks, and a long history of epic failure follows the Clippers ship like rain clouds follow Schleprock.
Much like the current incarnation of our United States Congress, there is a stench of ineptness that is clear to all involved except those who hold the power to fix it.
CHANGE alone isn’t the answer.
A calculated move towards prosperity can be the only cure to what ails both America and the even longer suffering Clipper Nation.
The will is there, as is the talent to turn things around.
(Believe it or not, I was referring to the Clippers with that last sentence.)
The Clippers are actually a quality team. Baron Davis has a fire in his belly that led the Clips to victory over the Lakers a few short days ago. That same competitive fire almost went too far last night when the frustration of a twenty point deficit led him to violently throw an elbow at Pau Gasol and verbally and frankly, rather angrily lash out at Derek Fisher, who did nothing wrong other than apply stringent and completely legal defense. If Kobe Bryant hadn't quickly stepped between the two, Fish may have gotten a beatdown at the hands of Baron Von Davis.
This is a different Clippers team from seasons past...They actually think they can win...and win they can.
Add LeBron to the current roster and the Clippers instantly become of the deepest, most talented teams in the entire NBA.
I realize the Clippers are more likely to be the butt of punch lines than a symbol of recovery and success, but much like the state of the union, all that is truly needed is stronger leadership. A go to guy. The one who can create a sense of hope that nothing is out of the realm of possibility. That impossible is nothing. We want to witness greatness along the lines of George Washington, or for the purposes of this topic, some Magic.
See, Magic Johnson, like George Washington, was a winner plain and simple. His job was to lead his troops into battle and win. He won in high school. He won in college. He won in the NBA. Nicknames like "Magic" aren't applied to those that don't amaze us. In a four-year span, Magic won titles at the high school, college and professional levels. We need some Magic in these turbulent times. LeBron could provide such magic.
With a simple wave of his wand…I mean, pen, the free agent-to-be could change the course of history for a nation that may be named for a ship but has never really sailed, Clipper Nation. His game is said to be reminiscent of Magic's due to his 6'-8" frame and incredible passing ability but he also is as athletic as a young Michael Jordan and goes to the rim with the same reckless abandon and disregard for human life. The kid is a beast, pure and simple. With the right team surrounding him, he could meet the expectations bestowed upon him since before he hit puberty.
With proven L.A. native Baron Davis at the point, explosive 2nd year guard Eric Gordon at the two, dependable Chris Kaman in the middle and power foward of the future Blake Griffin back at full speed next year this is a scary team…If you plug LeBron in at small forward you have the makings of not only a recovery but a full blown boom market.
As a loyal Lakers fan, I have always viewed the Clippers as second class citizens, to be ridiculed and insulted for entertainment sake, but also because they earned that right year in and year out.
Since moving to Los Angeles in 1984, the Clippers have had four #1 picks in the draft and seen the Lakers win seven championships with none…that’s got to be painful.
Even though it may mean my Lakers would be challenged for supremacy of Los Angeles, it has to be said...
The Clippers and LeBron James need each other.
The long rumored James to the Nets to work for buddy Jay-Z or to the Knicks to become King of New York are as ludicrous as the notion that passing another stimulus package will fix what’s wrong with our economy. The Net are a complete joke and the Knickerbockers are the same mess they were when Isiah Thomas was behind the desk acting like Bill Clinton at Monica Square Garden.
If he’s about the money, he’ll go bite the Big Apple.
But if he wants to win, I have four words for him…
COME WEST YOUNG MAN
There’s gold in them thar Clips!
Unlike the Robin Hood wannabes in D.C., Clippers owner Donald Sterling has the means to pay him without raising taxes on the middle class. It's a win-win for a beleaguered franchise and a golden opportunity for LeBron to set his own mark by lifting the worst professional sports team in the history of professional sports teams out of the doldrums to the promised land.
In one fell swoop he could knock the 800 pound gorilla of his shoulder...well...two actually if you count Shaq. History would remember him as a basketball savior. The one who broke the curse and turned the nerds into the prom kings. The serfs to royalty. The gutter water to wine.
Then again, he could potentially do the same thing right where he is in Cleveland, though I highly doubt it...Wouldn't it be so much more dramatic for it to take place in Hollywood? Sports is the original reality tv and what better place to ply your trade than amongst your peers in the genre?
He'd become the biggest star in the world...By joining the CLIPPERS!?!
Forget Keeping Up With The Kardashians...The world would now tune in to LeBroning Up With The Lakers.
Los Angeles would become the center of the basketball universe.
Kobe vs LeBron would be the biggest intra-city rivalry since...well........since Kobe vs Shaq.
My natural inclination is to wish LeBron would become a LeLaker but short of trading Bynum, Sasha, Artest and Luke Walton’s contracts away there is no way James dons purple and gold. Though in a perfect world…
Stranger things have happened.
Who ever thought the Lakers would get Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown?
Kobe could order up some brass knuckle rings for his other hand.
Phil Jackson could get some bling for his toes.
The Lakers could finally pass the Celtics in titles.
I might even be open to re-naming the city LeBrongeles.
…And then I woke up.
Reality is difficult to accept sometimes, unless of course you work in Washington.
I figure if they can live their lives in a dream world, why can’t I?
I can dream of James in purple and gold all I want but the more likely move, and more importantly, the RIGHT move for LeBron would be to join the Los Angeles Clippers and potentially get some of what really matters.
Or, he can stay in Cleveland and collect t-shirts.
Message to LeBron: Finish out the 2010 season lugging that 325 lb Shaqle on your ankle as deep into the playoffs as possible, then come transform an existence-long loser into a perennial winner and even a possible NBA champion.
I one fell swoop you not only transform the destiny of Clipper Nation, but you may just transform yourself into that as-of-yet undeserved nickname in the process.
For a king is not a king without a crown.
...Or a ring.
Your loyal subjects in Hollywood await your arrival.
It's good to be king.
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