The Grind

[MexicanMamba]

Los Angeles.

[ A wide shot is shown of the city’s skyline in the daytime, a helicopter flies in the distance.]

Hollywood … The city of stars.

[ A montage of various movie stars, athletes, and TV people at hot spots around the city. Leonardo DiCaprio. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Michael Rosenbaum. Magic Johnson. Eddie Murphy. ]

It is where champions are born to play.

[ Fade to black ]

But none of this has been used to describe LA’s OTHER franchise, The Los Angeles Clippers.

[ Kevin Durant comes onto the screen while coaching the Clippers last season, exasperation evident on his face as he throws his hands into the air and screams at a referee. Whistle blows to signal a Technical foul. Durant starts to charge the referee’s direction but is held back by his players. The announce team from that game sounds off ]

“Durant is furious with referee Jack McDonnell and he has just been thrown out of this game.”

“This feels like Durant, this team and this season has just reached its pressure point and those pipes have burst.”

“And to think, this was supposed to be the year we saw some improvements.”

[ The scoreboard is shown, 135 - 121. A losing score against the Milwaukee Bucks. ]

“The Clippers have officially claimed the worst record in the NBA.”

“It is an all too familiar feeling in this area, as there has not been a playoff run in over a decade …”

[ Fade to black ]

And even in the moments where there should be cause for hope within the organization, misfortune has found a way to creep in and take over.

[ Zach LaVine stands next to owner Dennis Moreria, looking pained and disappointed at the Draft Lottery proceedings, holding a card with the number 5 on it, indicating their draft position ]

“This has to be a major disappointment and blow to the Clippers organization who had hopes of adding a true difference maker to their roster in this year’s draft …”

[ The scene transitions to General Manager Roberto Abitua sitting behind his desk, speaking on the phone. ]

In this business, you cannot spend time sulking. You have to press forward. Or else you get left behind, wandering aimlessly in the desert of mediocrity that has claimed the careers of many players and front office personnel.

“Sure, we would love to discuss making some moves. We are obviously big fans of Jaren’s game. (he listens) … Yeah, yeah. Okay. Well tell me, who are you thinking about?”

Change is inevitable in this game, and you can’t be afraid to embrace it.

[ The set of ESPN’s SportsCenter ]

“Today’s big story is of course PBSL free agency, as it usually is this time of year. We have just gotten word from our very own Adrian Wojnarowski, that the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to a massive deal that will bring Jaren Jackson Jr. and Point Guard Joffery Baratheon to L.A. in return for the young and potential laden combination of Norrin Radd and King Kaldur’ahm…”

“I have to say, I find this to be a very intriguing move for the Clippers who have not shown much inclination to go all-in to win now in a long time and were knee deep in a youth movement.”

“Peculiar indeed, however a 9 win season with a new management team who is looking to make a splash is quite the motivating factor.”

[ Flashes of the team practicing. Colby Lopez coming off a screen and making a long 3 point shot over the outstretched arms of Zach LaVine. Joffery Baratheon with the pick and roll alley-oop to Jaren Jackson. Michael Garvin strips the ball from Virgilio Carrasco and goes the other way for a dunk. Roberto Abitua is shown standing on the sidelines, away from the coaches, watching intently. His voice comes over the scene. ]

“It was difficult to see Norrin go. He was a hard worker and a joy to watch get better every single day. But, at the end of the day, we had to do what we felt was best for our basketball future, but also the present. Let us be honest, we need to start winning.”

Expectations are elevated for this team now and the team plans to embrace that challenge.

“We’ve won before. We know what it takes to get to the top.”

[Joffery Baratheon and Jaren Jackson sit next each other, dripping with sweat due to a particularly rough practice. Baratheon, the elder player, speaks first ]

“I see all of the tools that are going to be needed to build a winner in this building. I refuse to let us accept anything less than a winner.”

“I know I trust my man Joff here. His leadership has been invaluable to my growth as a player and I am going to put my head down and work hard to show this team what I am made of and that they can trust me in the same way that I trust him.”

“We’re coming.” Jofferey pauses, probably for dramatic effect. “Don’t believe me? Just watch.”

[ A black screen again ]

This season, we are going to bring you the intimate details of how hard it is to work and succeed in professional basketball. Throughout this season we will choose certain players and staff members each week to get you inside of the action through the highs and lows of a grueling season.

[ Los Angeles at night, the lights dancing in the night sky. Slowly the Clippers logo appears in front of the image ]

From Los Angeles, California

We bring you ..

THE GRIND.