Brook Lopez had an interesting take on the Clippers' 6-21 start to the season.
One of the biggest stories of the NBA this season has been the Los Angeles Clippers and their rollercoaster of a season.
In the beginning, it looked like things couldn't get worse. Injuries abounded, controversy surrounding Chris Paul's departure from the team darkened things around the franchise and worst of all, the team started a dismal 6-21 on the season.
At that point, anyone would have counted the Clippers out, and many did. But since then, the Clippers have pulled off a near miraculous turnaround by raising their record to 39-38 with just a few games left in the season and situating themselves in the ninth-seed in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) during the first half at Intuit Dome. William Liang-Imagn ImagesA Season of Transformation
It was a long road to get there and it took one of the most impressive runs of any team this season to make it happen, but the Clippers are close to pulling off one of the biggest season turnarounds in recent memory.
It would be natural to think that the Clippers would want to flush the memory of how the season started and just focus on the now. But Brook Lopez has a different idea.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) dribbles against LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesHe thinks the way that the Clippers started the season should be impressed. In fact, he thinks it was even a positive thing.
Lopez's Hot Take
"It's been good for us. Obviously, it's unfortunate the way we started. I think our group's done a great job of coming together and used it as a bonding experience," Lopez said. "To make our team stronger. It's taken a lot of fortitude. A lot of mental toughness... I think we've taken that bad start and made it the best thing possible."
Lopez has been around the league for close to two decade and he's been on his share of teams both good and bad, so his perspective does carry some significant weight.
LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (right) is introduced before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Intuit Dome. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesTo say that it took mental fortitude to pull the Clippers from the depths is certainly an understatement, but how Lopez has chosen to see the way this season has unfolded can be a healthy mindset for the team.
The fact that they've managed a full turnaround of this season is something to be proud of. No team wants to start the way the Clippers did but once it already happened, their two options were to sink further down and be consumed or choose to rise above it.
LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) defends against Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn ImagesThey chose the latter and they rose well. Carrying that pride and sense of accomplishment with them could give them a boost and serve them well in the Play-In and potentially beyond.
After all, everyone loves an underdog.