I came to watch the Jazz play the Clippers, but the Clippers didn’t bring all of their good guys. It’s a little disappointing, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. I’m here. Where are you? – Brock Englestead, L.A. Clippers fan
SALT LAKE CITY — There’s no question that Clippers fans in Vivint Arena were more than satisfied with the overtime game-winning trey from Jamal Crawford on Friday night. However, heading into the game, many die-hard Clippers fans were bummed when told the Clippers’ starting five didn’t board the flight to Utah.
After suffering an injury against the Lakers on Christmas Day, Blake Griffin didn’t make the trip to Utah back in late December. This time around, he’s resting for playoffs. The Utah-Clippers fans are dying for their dose of Lob City.
One fan, Nancy Molina, didn’t find out her “love,” Blake Griffin, was a no-show until after she arrived at the arena. It might be a stretch, but it also might be safe to say Nancy was borderline heartbroken at the news.
“I’m disappointed because I love Blake. I’ve been in love with Blake for like three years now. I really wanted to see him,” Molina said. “He didn’t play the last game here either, so I’m really disappointed.”
Rocking a retro Blake Griffin jersey, Brock Englestead of Southern Utah made the trip to watch Griffin throw it down — and he was equally as disappointed.
“I came to watch the Jazz play the Clippers, but the Clippers didn’t bring all of their good guys,” Englestead said of the let down. “It’s a little disappointing, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. I’m here. Where are you?”
Los Angeles native Ryan Robitaille and son, Morgan, made the trip from Southern California for Morgan’s 10th birthday. The Robitailles had this trip booked for months, and with no Chris Paul in sight, Morgan was hanging his head.
“I’m very disappointed because it’s my birthday,” Morgan said. “We paid a lot to come out here, and CP3 is my favorite player.”
Morgan’s dad soothed the heartache with a different perspective.
“It’s good to keep our starters rested and to save them from injury,” Ryan Robitaille said. “Yeah, I flew out here and paid money to watch them (the starters), but I want to go far in the playoffs, so it’s a give-and-take.”
Angela Charles joined the Clipper fan base back in 2010. Why? Because they were the worst team in the league. She’s been by LAC’s side through the thick and the thin, and she’s game-ready for playoffs.
“I’m OK with it be the five staying home because our bench needs some playing time with playoffs starting soon, so I’m OK with it,” Charles said. “We’re locked into our playoff spot, so there’s no need to tire any of our players.”
Spencer Lemmon is on the same boat.
“We’ve already clinched the playoff spot; I’m happy about that. So anything we can do to better our playoff chances, and if that includes resting the starters, I’m perfectly OK with that. I’d rather look forward to playoffs,” Lemmon said. “If the starters can better serve the team by staying home and getting rested, then again, I can’t fault them for that. I trust Doc Rivers. I trust his judgment.”
Well, good judgment or not, Griffin, CP3 and the rest of the Clipper gang were missed in Vivint Arena on Friday night.