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The Los Angeles Clippers are back in town.
Until last fall, the NBA franchise had never been to Honolulu. But it enjoyed the experience, and through a partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Clippers decided to hold a second straight preseason camp here.
Los Angeles’ five-game preseason schedule begins at 3:30 p.m. Sunday against the Kings — Sydney, not Sacramento — at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Sydney is one of eight teams in the National Basketball League of Australia and New Zealand. They sport the same purple and gold colors of the Clippers’ intra-city rival, the Lakers.
Last year, the Clippers and Toronto Raptors split a two-game set at the Sheriff. Notably, a security bottleneck at the main entrance to the arena caused many fans to be delayed entry for the first game, some until halftime. They were welcomed back free of charge for the second game, for which there were no delays.
There is only one game this year before coach Doc Rivers’ team goes on its way.
This time last year, the Clippers were getting adjusted to life after Chris Paul. Now they’re truly past the Lob City era, as their other two stars, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, either were traded (Griffin to Detroit) or left via free agency (Jordan to Dallas). Even Rivers’ son, Austin, was dealt.
But they have several solid veterans. Some played here last year, like guards Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley and forward Danilo Gallinari. Others are recent pickups, like Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley. Williams was 14th in NBA scoring in 2017-18 at 22.6 points per game for a team that posted a winning record (42-40) but missed the playoffs.
“I’m looking forward to this season,” new center Marcin Gortat said on the Clippers’ Twitter account. “We just wrapped up the media day. Now we’re getting on the plane, going to Hawaii. Stay tuned, first game soon.”
The Clippers will hold some community events to be announced. Last year, they donated a computer lab at Stevenson Middle School.
The Kings feature Australia native and NBA veteran Andrew Bogut, a recent addition. Returning is guard Jerome Randle, a former Pac-10 player of the year with Cal who led the Kings with 19.7 points per game in 2017-18.
Tickets are available at the Stan Sheriff Center box office, by calling 944-2697, or going to etickethawaii.com. Lower-bowl seating ranges from $60 to $150, while upper-bowl seating is $25-45. Premium courtside seats are $250.
A.C. joins Heat staff
Anthony Carter has returned to the NBA coaching ranks.
The Miami Heat announced that Carter, a University of Hawaii alumnus and a former Heat player, is the team’s new player development coach. The first four years of Carter’s 13-year NBA playing career were with the Heat.
Carter was a full assistant with the Sacramento Kings in 2015-16 and coached with the Heat’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the last two seasons.
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