Aloha to a couple of island first-timers from the Association.
The NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors open their 2017-18 preseason in Honolulu, with the Clippers Hawaii Classic featuring two games at the Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday and Oct. 3.
The Clippers were scheduled to arrive in Honolulu on Monday night and open training camp today at the University of Hawaii’s Sheriff Center. The Raptors, the visiting team in the arrangement, will train at ‘Iolani School.
“I’m super excited about the new season, super excited about the players that we have,” Clippers veteran center DeAndre Jordan said in a video from Clippers media day Monday. “I’m super excited about going to Hawaii. It’s going to be awesome and I look forward to seeing all you guys at the games this year.”
| CLIPPERS HAWAII CLASSIC
>> Who: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors, in NBA preseason games
>> When: Sunday, 4 p.m., and Oct. 3, 7 p.m.
>> Where: Stan Sheriff Center
>> Tickets: Available at etickethawaii.com, with prices ranging between $20 and $150.
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Hawaii historically has been the preseason province of the Clippers’ intracity rival, the L.A. Lakers. In the most recent NBA preseason action in Hawaii, the Lakers played two Sheriff sellouts against the Utah Jazz to tip off 2015-16. It was the first NBA action in the islands in eight years and featured superstar Kobe Bryant entering his final season.
Not long after that, the Hawaii Tourism Authority worked with the Clippers — known as “Lob City” in recent seasons for the high-flying dunks of Blake Griffin and Jordan — to bring them in for their first Hawaii visit. The Raptors, featuring point guard Kyle Lowry and wing DeMar DeRozan, likewise have never been here.
“We have a long history of having some NBA teams here,” UH athletic director David Matlin said. “I think it’s great to have some new teams here and there’s a new relationship with the Clippers playing here. Obviously with the Raptors, there’s a local interest there, too. We’re excited to play their host and I think it’s just a great opportunity for local fans to come watch an NBA game and not have to get on a plane.”
Toronto has a local tie in general manager Bobby Webster, a Kailua native and 2002 ‘Iolani graduate who was promoted from within the organization this summer. At 32, he is the youngest GM in the league.
Both teams play five preseason games in total. It’s a shortened lead-up to the regular season compared to seasons past.
The teams are starting their regular seasons earlier than ever, Oct. 19, a move made to reduce the number of back-to-back game nights for teams across the regular season.
Since the Clippers were bounced by the Jazz in the first round of the West playoffs, nine players were acquired.
In a stunning offseason move, the Clippers dealt superstar point guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets. In return, they received a package of assets that included guards Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley.
Griffin, the Clippers’ All-Star forward, is coming off foot surgery on May 1 but is reportedly healthy and ready to go. All-NBA third-team center Jordan, wing Wesley Johnson and backup point guard Austin Rivers are the only other returnees.
The Raptors are expected to remain a contender in the Eastern Conference by bringing back Lowry and forward Serge Ibaka, alongside All-NBA third-team wing DeRozan. Canada’s only NBA team was eliminated in the 2017 East semifinals by Cleveland.
