We put together a feature over at ESPN.com where we asked the TrueHoop Network bloggers to discuss their second-favorite team. Both D.J. Foster and I participated.
D.J.’s response:
On nights when the old ball and chain is unavailable, I’ll often find myself committing fan infidelity with the Golden State Warriors. The love for this group of misfits starts with the completely awesome and unquestionably terrifying Stephen Jackson, who was once phenomenally quoted as saying that he “makes love to pressure”. Captain Jack sparked my original love interest, but Anthony Randolph and his absolutely baffling skill set is what really keeps the flame burning. To wit, Ronny Turiafs’ dancing, Andris Biedrins’ logic defying haircut and the league’s most rabid fanbase are equally entertaining and endearing. Basically, the Warriors are everything your NBA mistress should be; Fun, but so insane and wholly dysfunctional that you’ll never leave your significant other for them.
My answer:
Most of us bristle at Jerry Krause’s contention that players don’t win championships — organizations do. Krause’s claim might have been overstated, particularly in the case of the Jordan-era Bulls. That said, there’s a grain of truth embedded deep inside his axiom. An NBA franchise isn’t just a collection of players and contracts — it’s also a collection of ideas.
Innovation doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of creative individuals who take risks. The Houston Rockets’ boldness is changing the way we understand the NBA game. There’s a reason the plucky Rockets managed to overcome devastating injuries to their marquee players and still push the NBA champions to the brink of elimination. The entire organization, from ownership to management to the coaching staff, down to the players bought into a common philosophy, one built not on assumptions about the game, but on a devotion to empirical truths. This practice maximizes the talents of those (limited, but resilient) players.
A couple of the other bloggers selected the Clippers as their second-favorite squad:
Kurt Helin, Forum Blue & Gold (Los Angeles Lakers blog)
The Clippers have one my favorite players in Baron Davis who, when his body isn’t betraying him or when he hasn’t mentally checked out, is just flat out fun to watch. Davis went to India this offseason, had some sort of epiphany (we can all hope that said enlightenment involves ignoring Mike Dunleavy when he tells Davis to slow it down), and he promises to try this season. Then there’s Blake Griffin, who was fun to watch at Summer League and made me a believer, and he seemed to have instant chemistry with Eric Gordon. And the list goes on — they’ve got emerging young guys like Al Thornton, plus a front-line combo of Marcus Camby and DeAndre Jordan that promises to give you one coming-from-the-weakside shot block into the third row every game. As it’s the Clippers, there’s the strong possibility things will go wrong in a spectacular fashion. That’s fun to watch too, in a Macbeth sort of way. Either way, I’m good with the Clippers this season. I want them to get the eighth seed in the West, so the first round is a Hallway Series at Staples Center. I really, really want that.Matt McHale, By the Horns (Chicago Bulls blog)
As a fan, the worst possible experience is watching my team fail when I expected them to succeed. Well, the Clippers are never expected to succeed. And that’s actually a good thing, because there’s no pressure whatsoever. The Clippers would never crush my optimism because I wouldn’t have any. Then the rare victory would be that much sweeter. It would be like walking down a dark alley and, instead of getting brutally mugged, finding a crisp new one hundred dollar bill. Watching the Bulls start out slowly (thanks to that darn circus road trip) and then fight to make the playoffs every season really stresses me out. Following the Clippers would be great for my blood pressure, plus I’d get to make Clippers jokes all the time. That would provide an endless source of material. Just ask Kevin Arnovitz and Bill Simmons.
Question for Clipperblog readers: Who’s your second favorite team — and why?
19 Responses
Have owned D Howard on my keeper fantasy team since he came into the league – gotta be the Magic, way before they went on the Finals run.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I really don’t have a second favorite team. When I’m not watching the Clippers, I like to watch any other game I can, not really caring who wins or loses, I just want to see great basketball.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I’m with you, KA. I like to watch the Rockets second to the Clippers. I’m a big fan of hustle and commitment, and amidst the series of injuries the Rockets had to suffer through, I love watching players like Battier, Scola, Landry, Hayes and Brooks (the no names) get down and dirty and play with conviction.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
That the obvious answer is so obvious does not make it any less true — whoever is playing the Lakers!
Beyond that, can’t really get into any other team. Maybe Phoenix when they were under D’Antoni because “7 seconds or less” or whatever it was was so much fun to watch, or Dallas because Cuban is a kick.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Agree with everything Kevin had to say about the Rockets, but still too boring of a team for them to be my second favorite team. Have to go with the Thunder, love how they draft, their young studs and financial flexibility is scary good. Love the Harden pick, just like I loved the Westbrook pick, and of course the Durant pick. Wasn’t sold on BJ Mullens, but the fact that Presti traded for him, makes me think twice about how good this guy can be.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Please don’t mistake this as fandom but I will usually make time to watch the Lakers play. I need to get my “attractive” basketball fix somewhere and it sure as hell isn’t going to come from the Clips.
Andrew Reply:
August 21st, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Burn
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
The Denver Nuggets, I love their swagger… Carmelo, Birdman, Nene, JR Smith. They just have a cool collection of players and of course George Karl is a badass.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
beside the clippers i watch laker games often but as well i like to watch any game on
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
The Clippers waived Mark Madsen. The roster now stands at 12. Maybe they’ll make a push for Sessions and ??? …
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Madsen waived?
Cue the other show in 3,2,1….
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 3:49 pm
My second favorite team is the Jazz. I have the greatest respect for the way the organization operates, is always competitive, and sticks by Jerry Sloan. Nearly every year the Jazz are competing, are usually going to the playoffs, and playing top level basketball from the backwoods of SLC. I loved watching Stockton, Malone and Hornacek. I love how every player, well, most of the players, embrace their roll and play it to the best of their ability. I love that players wont get any minutes if they dont play their roll either. When you are on the Jazz, you play for Jerry Sloan not Benjamin Franklin. If Jerry Sloan ever retires, I’d hope John Stockton would try his hand at coaching. But I hope Jerry Sloan is immortal and never retires. Next to God, he’s the second highest authority in Utah.
I had to root against Jordan’s Bulls as much as I admired and loved MJ. That dagger shot he took to win the Finals while supposedly half-dead from the flu was the most bittersweet shot I’ve ever seen just because of what it meant for everyone playing on that court that day.
But for me it’s the Jazz. The work ethic, the commitment, the devotion of that franchise to winning and to standing behind their coach and the legacy that they have created for decades has won me over. They are the anti-Clippers, and when Corey Maggette’s deal was matched, I actually felt bad for Utah. He was one of my favorite players and I thought Utah was a better place for him to continue to develop his career.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I don’t really have a second fave team, but when i’m with friends and family who love to watch laker ball, I don’t mind watching it too.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
LOL @ Kurt Helin – what a goober!
“Davis went to India this offseason, had some sort of epiphany (we can all hope that said enlightenment involves ignoring Mike Dunleavy when he tells Davis to slow it down)”
Earth-2-Kurt: NOBODY told Baron to slow it down, foo’. He slowed it down himself because he was OUT OF SHAPE!
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
My second team has to be the Hornets cause CP3 is just insane to watch. I love the West, CP3 with Peja tandem the year before last when they had it going. When Peja lit up the Lakers that year with all the threes I was enjoying.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Lakers…as long as they’re not playing the Clippers. I have no apologies, it’s not like we’re really rivals with the lakers…if anything we’re like poor younger brother who huffs too much spray paint.
I don’t really like Kobe though.
Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
The Blazers. Watching Brandon Roy come into his own and LaMarcus Aldridge find a jumpshot has been fun. Good fans, great arena and I never saw them take a night off last year. Did I mention Brandon Roy is wonderful.
Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
i understand why Clipper fans hate the Lakers but i mean…i grew up with the Clippers as much as i did the Lakers…(my brother is a Lakers fan)
and i am a Clippers fan….
soo…..
when we are not playing…i watch the Lakers….and i follow them as closely as i do my Clippers….
its great because of this more often than not i go by days and days watching teams i like so that means NBA everyday!
whether it be the Clippers on night, or the Lakers the next…hell sometimes both the same day….its great
(of course i watch the Clippers games though
)
and when we play the Lakers i always watch the telecast with Ralph
: )
Posted on August 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
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