:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60574329/usa-today-8300271.0.0.0.jpg)
In case it was not made clear, I'm not a big fan of the Los Angeles Clippers, and while they are less inherently evil compared to the cross town Los Angeles Lakers -- as a Utah Jazz fan it's hard to feel anything but anger when you see fans wearing road team gear in on your home court. I guess with fancy players who are promoted by the league, make All-Star teams, and play in a big market it's easy to get on the band wagon.
As the last Utah Jazz band wagon fan, I know a thing or two. I fell in love with a young John Stockton and Karl Malone -- guys dominating other teams every night. And yes, it took John and Karl a while before they would make the WCF, they did manage to go there 5 times in 7 seasons. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin haven't been together nearly as long, but today's game nearly demands an immediate return. The Boston Celtics went to, and won, the NBA Finals in their first season together. The Miami Heat went to four NBA Finals in a row, winning a pair. The Clippers are not a super team, but their main parts have been around for a while now, and have two wins in the second round spread out over three seasons to show for it.
They are heavily favored tonight, and have won 12 straight against the Jazz. It's stupefying to even think about that. If anything, it may be time for Trevor Booker to bring out a little chin music. (I don't even know what that means, I think that's a wrestling phrase. But I'm using it incorrectly here.)
Starters:
- PG: Chris Paul vs. Dante Exum
- SG: J.J. Redick vs. Joe Ingles
- SF: Matt Barnes vs. Gordon Hayward
- PF: Blake Griffin vs. Enes Kanter
- C: DeAndre Jordan vs. Derrick Fisher
Bench:
- Austin Rivers vs. Trey Burke
- Jamal Crawford vs. Elijah Millsap
- Spencer Hawes vs. Rudy Gobert
- Hedo Turkoglu vs. The Ghost of Rodney Hood
- Glen Davis vs. Trevor Booker
LA has the higher profile players, who are helping them win games. They have stars, and they have the Jazz' number. They even have fans showing up to Jazz home games wearing their colors.
But while the Clippers are built to win now, the Jazz may very well have the last laugh, as they are built to ascend while the sun will set on the old and current powers. The Jazz may not be able to sink the Clips. But time surely is on our side.