Clippers’ fresh start clouded by old struggles in Intuit Dome debut

INGLEWOOD, Calif — There’s no black cat running around the Los Angeles Clippers franchise, no unnecessary fumigation needed to re-christen their sprawling new facility that’s sure to be the envy of owners who don’t have Steve Ballmer’s deep pockets.

It wasn’t even funny or fitting James Harden missed the back end of two free throws that would’ve tied the game in overtime, at the Intuit Dome’s regular-season debut Wednesday night as the Clippers fell 116-113 to the Phoenix Suns.

It was merely Game 1 of a new season for the Clippers, the first in a while where championship expectations weren’t on the tip of everyone’s tongue, a season where the margin for error is razor thin and a bit stressful.

But that’s probably where the Clippers operate best as they straddle between two eras, purgatory that’s the result of both choice and circumstance — a space they can dig themselves out of with some deft moves.

As Ballmer’s new playpen opened its doors in Inglewood in the Clippers’ boldest, grandest attempt at keeping a footprint in Los Angeles, still yet to emerge from the Lakers’ massive shadow, it seems like last year would’ve been the best chance to take such a voyage.

After all, Russell Westbrook was on the roster, so was Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard was en route to participating in his most games since he was a Spur.

Four marquee names, four L.A.-area kids who could carry the flag of the city and connect the neighborhood to the new building. A building that had kids shooting on a court outside, before going through the actual turnstiles, a building that, for all its bells and whistles, was still confusing to navigate — which is usually the case when a new arena opens.

There’s the giant floor-length Jumbotron that’s a visual marvel, and all the technology meant to make things easier for fans to get back to their seats and back into the action as soon as possible.

But only Harden remains upright as a marquee player for the moment, as Westbrook wasn’t ready for a diminished role and George wasn’t ready for a salary that was less than the max. As for Leonard, it’s all anybody’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/clippers-fresh-start-clouded-by-old-struggles-in-intuit-dome-debut-083534672.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-24 08:35:00

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