For the past twenty one years, Clippers games in Salt Lake City have come to resemble traditional Japanese Kabuki theater. Fans would enter the venue, secured in the knowledge of the storyline and how it will end. There are no surprises and no suspense, the joy of spectacle lies in small deviations; how the Jazz might prevail on this night and by how much. The players in their respective jerseys might have changed over the course of two decades, but there is a comforting rhythm to the almost unbroken string of Clippers losses in Utah, as predictable as the tides and the turning of the earth. When the Clippers finally pulled out their lone victory in twenty one years, on January 22, 2003, the world did not come to a cataclysmic end as the ancient Mayans had prophesized, though perhaps the world did hold its breath for a brief moment to ponder this inexplicable outcome, which had defied all known laws of physics, before exhaling and settling back into its comforting axis of rotation, from which the unbroken streak of Clippers losses would continue on as before.
For most of those twenty one years, when the Clippers record in Utah was a cumulative 1-39, the coach of the Utah Jazz has been Jerry Sloan. It is perhaps no coincidence that one of the most stable franchises in the NBA would have such an unfathomable home record against one of the most unstable franchises in the league. Since Jerry Sloan took over as coach of the Utah Jazz from Frank Layden in 1988, the Clippers had hired and fired 12 coaches, counting Kim Hughes and Dunleavy for seven of those years. It is no wonder then, that even though players have come and gone, their bright eyed rookie seasons turning into tearful retirement speeches, the Utah Jazz continues to run the same pick-and-roll plays for Darren Williams and Carlos Boozer that they had run for John Stockton and Karl Malone, with the same effectiveness against succeeding new generations of Clippers. That Jerry Sloan has survived for so long as a coach in the NBA is a rare anomaly, as the tenure of most NBA coaches, particularly Clippers ones, is often short, nasty, and brutish. It is no wonder that current interim Clippers Head Coach Kim Hughes professes his admiration for Jerry Sloan and perhaps, if he were honest with himself, also a bit envious of Sloan’s long tenure.
In any other town, in any other franchise; being the bridesmaid but never the bride for twenty one years would have brought out fans with pitchforks and the taciturn Jerry Sloan would have been led to the guillotines a long time ago. But there is a certain faith in the system which the late Larry H Miller held for his long time coach, and though Sloan never won a championship, it is hard to quibble with his consistent winning record and consecutive playoff appearances year in and year out. There is a great article by Ian Thomsen for Sports Illustrated recently about the head coach in the NBA being a lion tamer in a cage with five lions, trying to get them to perform before a jeering crowd of 20,000 each night. More than any other professional sports league; the power, money, and the guaranteed long term contracts reside with the players. Coaches like Jerry Sloan, despite their long tenure, have to find ways to inspire and cajole their players, to get them to sublimate their own sometimes selfish desires for the greater glory of the team. Being in the same office for over 21 years earns you some respect, and for an interim coach like Kim Hughes, who is under contract for another month, the ability to shape and hold his players accountable must seem like a daunting task.
The Clippers started out the game with a hot hand, and they looked like the team that had shocked the Jazz five days ago at the Staples Center. That victory remains the crown jewel of Kim Hughes brief coaching career; a rare win against a playoff bound team who was fighting to hang on to their top four ranking in the West. Before that victory, Coach Hughes had implored his team to give maximum effort for four quarters. He said that wins and losses against teams like Utah no longer mattered, he just wanted a consistent effort for 48 minutes and would live with the results, with his head held high. In the exuberance aftermath of that victory, there were some optimism that perhaps this collection of Clippers players will be able to build something positive for the off season after all; that individual growth and an espirit de corps can be forged for next season, and perhaps a few of the players with expiring contracts can be brought back, instead of being scattered to the four winds. Bring on the playoff teams, Kim Hughes had insisted; he welcomed the challenge, and his players would welcome it too. They needed to be tested and they needed to chart their growth and maturation as a unit.
For most of the first quarter, the Clippers took the game to the Jazz, they played with fierce abandon, as if to defy the gods. They moved the ball crisply and they made Utah seems like a tired team, whose energy and future was all but spent. For a brief moment, it seems possible that the impossible might happen again, as the Clippers shot out to an early ten point lead, forcing Jerry Sloan to call a timeout. It is worthwhile to watch disciplined teams like Utah and San Antonio after they emerge from a timeout huddle. There is no panic in their game, and more often than not, they don’t try to do anything different, they just run the same plays they ran before, but with more attention to details and execution. The Jazz came out of the timeout and stopped the bleeding. Then they slowly, methodically, cut into the Clippers early lead. You can feel the inevitable turning of the tides, and even though the Clippers were playing relatively well, with Drew Gooden scoring inside and the ball finding the right shooters in the corners, you felt that Utah was just patiently waiting for their familiar foil to self destruct, in accordance with the cosmic laws which govern Clippers games in Salt Lake City.
When they finally lost the last vestige of their lead late in the second quarter, it seemed as if the final breath of life had vacated the Clippers players lungs, and any hope they had of defying the gods or the immutable laws of the universe had dissipated. Generations of Clippers players before them had lost to generations of Utah players on the other side, and now the familiar rhythm of the Kabuki play was once again established. Utah had clawed out a one point advantage at halftime, but to long time fans of the Clippers, it might as well have been a twenty point lead. To ensure that the ending is no longer in doubt, and that the storyline adheres to tradition, the Jazz came out and scored seven straight points in the third quarter, essentially ending the game. They would methodically outscore the Clippers by 21 in the second half, sending them reeling toward another blow out loss in Utah.
That the Clippers were playing without Eric Gordon, on the second night of a back to back, probably didn’t matter very much. The same lack of focus, poor shooting from their key players–Baron and Kaman–and lackadaisical turnovers did them in once again. Baron and Kaman combined to shoot 9 for 32 from the field, for a 28% field goal percentage, and combined for 10 turnovers between them. To the comical delight of the crowd, with the game decided in the fourth, the Clippers had a four on one fast break and turned the ball over on a traveling violation. These priceless moments are why people attend Kabuki plays. The ending, the victory was never in doubt, but little variations on how you get that victory is entertaining. Kim Hughes’ ultimatum, his plea that the Clippers play with all out effort and focus for 48 minutes is yet to be fulfilled. Even in their previous victory over Utah at the Staples Center, they had played with focus and determination for only 46 minutes, with the final two minutes almost costing them the game. Now that the gauntlet of effort has been thrown down by Kim Hughes, and what he has asked of this Clippers team is not unreasonable, what will happen if his players defy this simple challenge? Certainly Drew Gooden played with effort and toughness tonight, and he needed to because he is playing for his next contract. But for Baron and Kaman, secured in their guaranteed money, knowing that they will be here next year even though Kim Hughes may not, what incentive or threat can Interim Coach Hughes hold over them? If he benches Baron and Kaman, the team will, in all likelihood, lose even more games, and he will certainly be cleaning out his desk next month, even as Baron and Kaman will remain, watching him carry out his belongings, ready for their next coach.
The Clippers sustained record of futility in Salt Lake City might be etched upon the stars, or it might have been the last will and testament of some ancient gods, but a more reasonable explanation might be attributed to the quiet steadiness of Jerry Sloan; his long tenure and enduring system amidst the ever changing faces of Clippers coaches, most without much authority, defied by their players, and ultimately sacrificed to the altar of futility. And so continues the rhythm of the tides. The Clippers are now 1 for their last 41 against Jerry Sloan’s team in Salt Lake City.
38 Responses
I enjoy your write ups! You don’t really sugarcoat any of the losses and it seems you also make very steady points. I think your right about Utah but it might be so much simpler, the Clippers are a farm team franchise while the Utah Jazz are actually dedicated to winning and have a good coach, something the Clippers have been loathe to find.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 7:18 am
i would just waive Davis and write his contract off…
Formerly Section 113 Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
1000% agreement……join the parade, only refer to Baron from now on with his deserved monikor of Rin Tin Tin
bongstradamus Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Get off the Rin Tin Tin thing, its really stupid.
Chris McD Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 8:50 am
1000% agreement.
It ain’t gonna catch on, dude. If you’re gonna compare him to a dog, “Hooch” is a way more appropriate name.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Sign Gooden for 2- year contract, trade kaman to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince.
And find a retirement home(another team) for Baron Davis. If Clippers keep Baron, no fans will return to support them. If we conitue to tank, we can do it without Baron.
Get him outta here.
Formerly Section 113 Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
1000% agreement on Rin Tin Tin (Baron) not opposed to trading Kaman, but not for Prince, old and not much left in that tank….as for Gooden signing him would be a typical Clippers move….there is a reason why he has played on 9 teams….and refer to BAron as Rin Tin Tin from now on.
Insighter Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Davis is terrible, certainly the worst starting point guard in the league and maybe the worst starting player in the league, period. But hey, Rin Tin Tin (the four legged dog) was cool and was always rescuing people and leading the cavalry charge to victory . . . basically the opposite of Davis.
Beard The Curse Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Really does it matter? I hope Baron keeps playing like complete shit. The more ping pong balls the better the chance we get a player who can step in next to Blake, Kaman, Gordon, BD, and any free agents we bring in.
I am a DIEHARD Clipper fan. This team means a ton to me but even I know when it’s time to pack it in for the season. Stop putting stock into player performances in meaningless games. Most athletes are moron (not their fault, I’d probably be if I was rich and a baller too), but even they know these games don’t mean sht. Even the most professional player in the world will not give 100% in meaningless games. And it’s not just Baron, we have a team full of guys who drag their asses. Look at the BS injuries that caused Gordon to miss games.
Chris McDougall Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I agree. There’s no point in risking injury when you can’t go to the playoffs.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Teams want Kaman… I’ve been opposed to giving up on him, but now I say, if somebody wants Kaman, they can have him, but must take Baron Davis… I wonder if Houston would have taken Baron and Kaman for McGrady.
We gotta find a way to get Baron outta here.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 10:20 am
kamans value is so high right now, I’d go after Yao Ming. shouldve traded for Gerald Wallace when we had the chance.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Kaman can be a great addition to any team. But no team should allow him to shoot from the hip(taking 15+ shots a game). If he can stay on the court and not demand the ball constantly to curb his ADD…. then he’ll be OK anywhere.
We like Gooden. I think, Griffin, Gooden & Gordon(3G Network) could play well together.
Then apart from keeping DeAndre & Mardy Collins, Dunleavy needs to work hard on adding young & veteran pieces needed to make this team above average.
Before trying to attract A-list players, this team needs to clean-up its high school grade front and back office personnels.
Yes, economy isn’t good. And job security is paramount. D.STERLING has been pretty good in providing jobs to lessworthy people for decades.
This laid back approach must change.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Does anybody know what would happen to cap space it the Clippers just dumped Davis and wrote off his contract? I’m assuming his entire salary over the next three years would still count against the cap. The would be a huge burden on the team. If that’s the only way to get rid of him, then yes, it’s better than having him around poisening the chemistry of the team and having a bad influence on the young up and coming stars. But hopefully there is some way to get another team to take him and at least split the salary so it won’t all count againt the Clipper cap.
bongstradamus Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 10:53 am
You could technically negotiate a buyout and clear his contract from the books, but this is Sterling we’re talking about here. You think he’s gonna drop $25M+ to get rid of someone?
Short answer…no. Unless we can find someone who is willing to trade for Baron’s contract or find some crazy medical condition that makes it impossible for him to ever play again, he’s our Point Guard.
And really, he’s shown he can play and make smart decisions in the beginning of the year, but he has kind of fallen apart as the season has drug on. There are numerous factors that could have contributed to that; Dunleavy’s coaching, Dunleavy playing starters 40 minutes a game and neglecting his bench, Dunleavy leaving as coach, Dunleavy trading some of our best players as GM, Kim Hughes and the 2 1/2 months experience he’s had as head coach, Dunleavy, and oh yea, Donald Sterling. Did I mention Dunleavy?
The entire franchise needs to be re-organized from the top down. We need real basketball people who have a history of winning or have shown they know how to nurture teams toward winning mentalities. It’s sad that people and potential free agents look to OKC and the Nets as having better shots at future success than the Clippers.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Only an idiot would dump Kaman for scraps. He’s a true 5 that commands a double-team and can shoot from mid-range. Unless you want to see the Clipper offense revert to 1-on-1 play (dominated by Baron Davis), you need a post player that can create shots for others. Does Kaman have trouble when the defense collapses? At times, yes. But the Clippers don’t have anyone else that can consistently create a mismatch in the post. Most teams would kill for player like Kaman, and if you don’t know why, it’s because you don’t know what it’s like not to have a player that requires a 2-team (it’s horrible to watch). Plus, because of his shooting ability, you have the option of running a pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop. I agree Chris shouldn’t be asked to take 20 shots a game, but he showed that with Brand, that he can be very efficient when taking 10-15 shots. Hopefully, Griffin can get some of those post looks as next season progresses. And dumping Kaman, would just force Griffin into the same perdicament of his team needing him to take more shots than he should.
TK Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Valid arguement. I’m not demoting Kaman. He can hurt a team if plays for a losing team and weaker coach. We have seen it ever since BRAND left LA. He can work on his impressive stats but the team would collapse into oblivion.
That’s what happened to Clippers this season.
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
BD has to go – i do not care if he plays great for the rest of the year. we know what he is and will always be. I am willing to part with Kaman if that is what it takes to rid ourselves of BD. It is addition by subtraction. Kaman would be missed but he is way unfocused to ever be a impact player. Would the Lakers ever even ponder taking him – i think not. the plan for next year is to build a core of character players and let them grow . there has to be stability!!!!
Posted on March 7th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
There is no way the Clippers will let Kaman go no way!! So forget about that now they signed him to that deal to get what they are getting why would they get rid of him. Now BD I must say I really have tried to give this guy chance after chance but he is a horrible player now. No effort no shot and no hops anymore.
Of course with 2010 free agents the one thing kindof lacking is point guards! We know nobody will take Davis contract so I am guessing we are stuck with him. Of course we hope we get LBJ and if not we hope we can get Wade. I think the guy who would do great here is Joe Johnson and maybe Ray Allen off the bench. We really need some shooters cause with Kaman and Griffen also with Craig Smith as a guy who is playing alot better than people realize we should be ok down low. But please get some real shooters in here we have the cap space I only hope we can talk people into coming here.
Last thing to get that done is to get a REAL COACH that will give the players hope!!
TK Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Lakers might take Baron. Fisher is done as a starter. Baron can play great with Kobe.
In return, we can ask for Bynum & Jordan Farmar.
TK Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Then trade Kaman to Detroit.
SamMays Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 9:58 am
We can ask for Bynum and Farmer for Baron, but the Lakers would only laugh… I’d trade Baron for a second round pick if we could get someone to eat his contract… There is no way you can get value for Baron… He’s a dog on the downside of his career and the whole league knows it.
Insighter Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:57 am
I agree. I can’t imagine any team trading a legit player for Davis. I’d be celebrating for a week if some team would take his contract for a 2nd round pick. Maybe after the main free agents sign, the other teams with cap space and no free agents and no point guard might be willing to take a flyer on Davis for a 2nd round pick. He’ll “only” have three years left on his contract by then.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 1:10 am
Deron not Darren.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Then let’s talk to Philly. Both teams got stuck with unwanted players with huge contracts.
Let’s exhange Brand for Davis. Atleast we know BRAND.
bongstradamus Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I would be happy with Elton back in LA. He made our franchise great, and even if he’s half the man he used to be, he’s still our guy. His jersey deserves to hang in our rafters.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
This is a good post by Krai Charuwatsuntorn, I am sorry I could not acknowledge it earlier.
You do not see a story like this in any newspaper lately. The players have become prima donna and untouchables.
Brand for Davis? It does not make sense, you will have two problems, you need to develop Blake who plays 4 and also you will need a point guard.
KT Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I’d rather see Griffin, Brand, Gordon + 0 + 0( 0= unknown) than Kaman in the starting lineup. Trade Kaman for a PG. Talk to Phoenix. They are dunno with Steve Nash.
If they’re going to say good bye to Amare, they can use Kaman. Sam Cassell gave us his best of last. Why not Stevie Nash? Actually he looks down upon Clippers like Andre Miller, Ray Allen etc of the league.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
i think the mayans predicted the end of the world would happen when the clippers beat the jazz in utah in 2012.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
It’s incredible that Sloan hasn’t gotten more accolades. I guess people are used to him, meanwhile he keeps chugging along with 50ish wins and a playoff appearance every spring. The guy is one of the greatest coaches ever. If he were in NY, fuggedaboutit….we’d never stop hearing about him.
neiljlax Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 5:26 am
must be karma.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
since new orleans backcourt has been performing so well we should go after chris paul for baron and kaman for paul and filler. I’d be estatic if this were to happen
bongstradamus Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Its a nice thought, but its unrealistic for a number of reasons.
NO wants to save money. They dont do that by taking on Baron and Kaman. So thats a big reason why this would never happen.
Secondly, they have Collison who is just blowing up lately in the absence of CP3 and its probably turning heads in the front office which makes trading for another center and an aging point guard even more unappealling.
In all honesty, the Lakers actually have a better chance of landing CP3 even though they are woefully over cap. They have expiring contracts on attractive players that they can sign and trade over to new orleans in exchange for CP3 and still save money in the long term. Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar come to mind immediately. They could even potentially ship Ron Artest out after the season should a championship not go their way.
There will be a few options this summer once the peices fall where they do. Teams are going to have cash and miss out on the marquee talents (most likely we are going to be holding a bag of cash and desperate to sign talent) in which case we might be able to work out sign and trades with the peices we recently acquired and adding Kaman and/or Davis in deals to teams who want to make a big splash. We could go after players with long term deals who are on other teams (Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Richard Jefferson) and dump Kaman and Davis that way. We could look to do sign and trades for guys on 1 year deals like David Lee or Nate Robinson and ship back Baron or Kaman. Theres actually a lot of possibilities this offseason, we should see a lot of movement.
Insighter Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Good. A ray of hope for getting rid of Davis in the off season.
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 1:34 am
haha i havent got on here a while but one theme i noticed is …it seems everyone is blaming Baron Davis now……before it was Dunleavy….
one thing is for certain this season went to waste rather quickly….i remember when we were within 4 games or so of .500 and we kept going back n forth….until the decision came that Blake would be out all season its like the guys just gave up….I mean we had a chance…but now (more than ever) The Clippers have become unraveled….
THEY NEVER WIN….its gone back to how it has been every single year…
I start watching the season with optimism but after they get 10 or more games under .500 and start losing to EVEN THE SORRY TEAMS….(once in a blue moon they beat good teams) you know its over….
this is kinda getting boring and repetitive…..
I dont know how long fans are going to go “well theres always next year”
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 2:23 am
oh and after reading some of these comments
i wonder if the front office cant just say to themselves
“hmmm lets try to emulate what we did prior to 2006″
i mean really is it that hard?
and about Kaman….hes played great this season but we are NEVER going to win anything with him as our first option ..ever….hell if Eric Gordon were our first option personally i feel great things can happen …but as long as we keep feeding Kaman its not going to amount to wins….
and i dont care who we bring in next season but it needs to be somebody that hustles night in night out that talks shit to the guys whenever they take plays off…..
and i think Blake Griffin could be that guy…but as much as it sucks to say this id be surprised if we ever see him play in a regular season game in a Clippers uniform…
Chris McD Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Well, I’m not a fan of placing the blame on one person at all. It takes a lot more than one person to play a game, let alone win it. That’s why the Lakers lost 3 in a row even with Kobe. No team is perfect and there’s several factors involved.
I’m sure Griffin will play next season. Judging from interviews his personality warrants it. He feels he needs to make it up to the team.
Insighter Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I like Kaman. I think he will be especially effective playing next to Blake Griffin. They have two different strengths and they should complement each other well. The main goal is to get rid of Davis, who is a toxic influence on the team.
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 2:29 am
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