The Los Angeles Clippers hired Jerry West as a consultant on June 19, 2017. The team, seemingly going against conventional wisdom, did not start a “rebuild” that day, instead beginning a process of re-branding. Much like a company attempting to emerge from the other side of a scandal, the Clippers have been trying to shed their reputation as the NBA’s “cursed” franchise.
Even though they are coming off of their most successful stint in team history, the Clippers are still much maligned across the NBA landscape. Winners of 21 of their last 24 against the Lakers, they are still firmly in the shadow of their Staples Center counterparts, considered a second rate franchise.