The Los Angeles Clippers are on a far-flung journey of self-discovery.
Training camp opened at the Stan Sheriff Center for the second straight year on Tuesday, and the Clippers began melding a cast light on A-listers but stocked with best supporting actors.
LeBron James went to the other L.A. team this summer. DeMarcus Cousins joined the stacked Golden State Warriors.
“We’re a team that doesn’t have the superstar name, but we’re a really good team,” coach Doc Rivers said.
The Clippers open their five-game preseason against the Sydney Kings of the NBL at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
While the rival Lakers made the NBA’s biggest splash of the offseason by hauling in a marlin, the Clippers did reel in a catch or two. They shored up the loss of All-Star center DeAndre Jordan by bringing in veteran Marcin Gortat. Lottery picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Kentucky) and Jerome Robinson (Boston College) are expected to contribute.
Now they have no All-Stars but a nucleus of veterans that could give people trouble on many nights — Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari among them. Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley came to L.A. in the January dealing of Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.
The Clippers finished 42-40 and two spots out of the Western Conference playoffs in the franchise’s first season that started in Hawaii. Injuries to Gallinari (21 games played) and Beverley (11) prevented the team from getting comfortable playing together.
They’re hoping that time is now.
“It forces you to be together and kind of grow as a group,” Rivers said of this excursion. “A lot of teams, the biggest advantage they have over us is they’ve been together. So, we have to force it and get our team growing together. Coming to Hawaii helps that.”
They got their preseason conditioning test out of the way back home; the one they did here at the start of last year’s camp took away from practice time and effectiveness, Rivers observed. This time, fitness was good, but not great, he said.
The Clippers did some experimenting Tuesday with a small-ball lineup with a frontcourt of the 6-9 Harris and the 6-10 Gallinari, two lean players.
“I think our advantages would just be the versatility,” said Harris, who averaged 19.3 points in 32 games with the Clippers post-trade. “Being able to switch, 1 through 5, pretty much throughout, spacing the floor and shooting, myself, Gallo, Avery, Pat and Lou, those are all really good 3-point shooters. Lane’s going to be open. Defensively, we just have to lock in and buy in.”
Few have forgotten last year’s mishap, with fans delayed entry to the arena for Game 1 of the Clippers Hawaii Classic against the Toronto Raptors. A single open gate and a security bottleneck caused many people to miss the first half. It was alleviated for Game 2 with extra measures, and many of the affected fans got free tickets for the rematch.
“Well, the Hawaii fans were great. I just wish we could have seen them all,” Rivers said with a chuckle. “We’ll do better this year, I can guarantee you that. I loved the spirit, I loved how engaged they were. … We get a lot of support here, and it’s good to be back here.”
Once everyone was seated, it was a raucous crowd.
“I remember it was almost a packed gym. They were definitely more on our side than Toronto’s side,” Gallinari said. “It’s great to know we have a big fan base here.”
Tickets, which range in price from $25 to $150 for standard seats, are available at www.clippers.com/hawaii or by calling 944-2697.
Clippers to dedicate
new computer lab
The L.A. Clippers Foundation and Clippers players will dedicate a renovated computer lab and fitness room at William P. Jarrett Middle School in Palolo Valley on Friday, the team announced Tuesday. Last year, the Clippers donated a computer lab to Stevenson Middle School. The dedication follows a Clippers hoops clinic for pre-registered youths at the Hawaii Convention Center.
UH urges early arrival
for game
To prevent another crowd mishap, the University of Hawaii is urging Sunday’s attendees to arrive early at the Stan Sheriff Center for entry; Gates A and B open at 1:30 p.m. for the 3:30 tipoff. Fans will have to pass through metal detectors. All bags and purses and must be searched by security, so fans are asked to minimize such items.
