Felicia Enriquez, aka Mynt J, is the host of the podcast BlackLove and Basketball – Compton Edition. She is a Clippers fan, an NBA credentialed creator representing thePeachBasket. In this article, From Hope to Heartache: Inside the Clippers Collapse and the Offseason Questions Facing Clipper Nation, she recaps the journey as the Clippers in the 2024-25 season and the path ahead.
Clippers Season Ends in Disappointment—But the Questions Are Just Beginning
Hi Clipper Nation,
Let’s start with this: I see you. I feel you. And I understand.
Whether you’ve been rocking with the Clippers since the San Diego days, through Lob City, the Kawhi/PG era, or even if this was your first season, being a Clippers fan says a lot about your heart. You didn’t just choose a team—you chose struggle, grit, resilience, and a whole lot of emotional endurance. You voluntarily signed up for the rollercoaster. And trust me, it’s not for the weak.
Being a fan of this team is different. It’s not about chasing clout—it’s about choosing hope every single year and loving your squad even when the world laughs. That’s what makes us family. And for that, I thank you.
Now… the season is officially over. And Clippers fans are sitting in that familiar daze. We expected more time with our team, more memories at the Dome, and honestly, just more fight. But here we are again—eliminated in the first round.
Right now, it’s fair to feel disappointed. Game 6 was promising. The team showed heart. But Game 7? We unraveled. So, the big question becomes: what happened?
The Coaching Controversy
Was Ty Lue outcoached? Is it time for a new voice in the locker room? Fans are divided. Some say Coach Lue is part of the solution, not the problem. But others are louder than ever.
On social media, the coaching critiques are hot:
- “Coaching was just bad.”
- “I would fire Ty Lue and promote Jeff Van Gundy.”
- A trending Twitter petition even shouts, “Fire Lawrence Frank! Demand an End to Lawrence Frank Madness Now!”
It’s getting real. And while some blame might feel emotional, there’s no denying this team—stacked with All-Stars and backed by one of the best arenas in sports—underachieved. Again.
Steve Ballmer Gave Us the Blueprint
Let’s not ignore what Steve Ballmer has done. The man built a futuristic arena for us. He invested in talent, kept tickets affordable, and gave fans a sense of pride. But that pride only stretches so far when you’re sitting at home watching the second round from your couch.
So, what now? Who stays? Who goes? One name we might not see again is Amir Coffey, who hasn’t touched the floor since April. And yes, he’ll be missed.
Clippers Collapse: Game 6 vs. Game 7: What Went Wrong?
Let’s break down the numbers and find out how we went from fighting hard in Game 6 to falling flat in Game 7.
Final Scores:
- Game 6 Win: 111–105
- Game 7 Loss: 101–120 From 6 points ahead to 19 behind.
Rebounds & Inside Presence:
- Game 6: Denver 39 | LA 35
- Game 7: Denver 46 | LA 36
- Points in the Paint: Game 7 saw Denver outscore us 66–58 inside. Denver muscled us inside and cleaned the glass better.
Second-Chance Points:
- Game 6 was even at 17–17.
- Game 7? Denver 22, Clippers 10. That gap hurt—bad.
Assists & Turnovers:
- Game 7 saw more ball movement (30 assists), but also 14 turnovers. More passes, more mistakes.
Fast Breaks & Hustle Stats:
- Steals: 10 apiece in Game 7.
- Blocks: We actually had more (8–3), but
- Fast Break Points: Denver 24 to our 19. Transition defense was a problem.
Shooting Game 6 v Game 7:
- Field goal % dropped slightly (50.0% → 47.6%).
- 3-point % dipped (30.8% → 29.6%).
- Free throws tanked (86.7% → 68.2%). Missing free throws in the playoffs is a sin. Period.
Bench vs. Starters:
The bench showed life, but the starters? Not so much. It wasn’t just about scoring, it was about energy, urgency, and execution.
Russ Was the X-Factor (And It Hurt)
Let’s talk about that guy, Russell Westbrook. He knew the Clippers inside and out, and in Game 7, he looked like the hungriest player on the court. Say what you want, but Russ came prepared, focused, and determined to prove a point. And he did.
His postgame quote hit different:
“We did a good job being resilient… Even with all these injuries, I think we did a good job just staying together.”
Respect. But ouch.
And What About Our Guys?
- Kawhi Leonard did what Kawhi does—led by example and played smart. But he can’t do it all.
- James Harden? Regular-season production didn’t translate into the postseason.
- Norman Powell? Quiet, but dependable. Especially when Kawhi sat out.
- Ivica Zubac? Steady all season but looked lost at times when Harden struggled.
- Kris Dunn? Defense all day. A great addition. But needs help offensively
Honestly, the roster isn’t broken. The issue may lie above—at the coaching and management level. This team had enough talent to go deeper.
Kawhi Said It Best
After the game, Leonard spoke with quiet frustration:
“Could’ve given a better effort… I don’t think this team is 30 points better than us.”
And on his offseason plans?
“To be able to start training camp and the start of the season healthy will be great… I’m happy I’m healthy coming out of the game. I wish we could’ve had a better outcome.”
So, What Now?
Clipper Nation, we’ve been through it all. We’ve cried, screamed, laughed, and still showed up. We’ll be back next season, no doubt. But what happens in the offseason—who gets traded, who stays, who gets fired—will tell us a lot about whether this organization is serious about winning now or still waiting on a someday that never comes.
One thing’s for sure: we’re not giving up.
So, stay loyal. Stay humble. And keep your Clippers blue ready.
Next season’s coming faster than you think.
