In the midst of one of the more intense player acquisition scenarios the Clippers have ever been a part of let’s pause and look forward to what is going to be a magical season from Los Angeles Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler.
It was announced today that Corey Maggette, Don MacLean, Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, Ryan Hollins, Cheryl Miller and Bill Walton will join Ralph in the booth to call games at different points throughout this season making this year a fantastic collision of Ralph’s Hall of Fame career and the beginning of a new chapter for the Clippers franchise. Having called over 4,000 games, and seeing around 3,000 losses, it is only fitting that Ralph gets to experience one of the most exciting and optimism filled seasons in recent Clipper history as his last. Not to discredit the Lob City era, but this year feels a little more meaningful for the Clippers as a bevy of new players and a couple of exciting rookies aim at changing the culture of the team and putting the league on notice about their ability.
Photo Credit: Arash Markazi
The season hasn’t begun yet and already it feels different than any in Clippers history. Big time free agents are putting the Clippers on their top-three destination lists (and getting photoshopped into jerseys) for the first time in…well lets just say a while. Couple this free agent hype with the excitement around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson and we have ourselves a case of the “optimisms” in our corner of Los Angeles. Ralph has seen his share of heartbreak, bad decisions, and injuries over the years so it is nothing short of wonderful he gets a farewell tour during one of the most exciting Clippers seasons to date.
Mark your calendars for April 10th!
Not only does Ralph get to see the newest version of Clippers basketball in it’s infancy, he gets to experience it with an incredible lineup of guest commentators. As fans we are getting a play-by-play experience second to none. The expertise lent by Ralph in conjunction with the likes of Cheryl Miller (who’s brother apparently plays basketball), Corey Maggette, and Bill Walton are going to shine a light on our youthful roster and give fans a better idea of what is possible and what needs to be improved upon for long term success.
They say “out with the old, in with the new”, this season the Clippers definitely have a “new” feel to them, but aren’t done with the “old” just yet. Let’s hope Ralph can watch the Clippers grow into themselves this year and leave him with an exciting last season, we know he’ll be watching even after he exits the booth.
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