The Los Angeles Clippers are known for two things in particular — one usually good, one bad — and Austin Rivers thinks they both contribute to the public distaste about the team.
During an interview on The Jim Rome Show, Rivers pointed out the perception that Los Angeles argues and complains with referees.
“For one, if I had to choose a reason, a lot of times people feel like our team complains a lot, you know what I mean? So I think that’s where it started, where I think we’ve gotten a lot better at that, but a couple years ago, I think that’s where it started.”
Rivers added that the “Lob City” moniker that made the Clippers one of the most enjoyable teams to watch is now also their downfall because the franchise has failed to win a championship.
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan regularly threw down monstrous dunks, and those alley-oops helped create eye-popping highlight reels. Rivers has a point, though. In all likelihood, NBA fans would willfully ignore Los Angeles’ shortcomings if it had earned a title.
But the Clippers haven’t done that. And boy, do they complain a lot.
Chris Paul whines when a call doesn’t go his way. Doc Rivers is regularly complaining to the officials. DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford are no stranger to technical fouls, nor was Matt Barnes or even Spencer Hawes during their tenures in Los Angeles.
Oftentimes, the Clippers are still enjoyable to watch. Los Angeles is arguably a top-5 team this season because of the tremendous and versatile talent. We simply wish the Clippers would gripe less and win more.