Crashing the Clippers

Back: Cheryl (Asst Director), Jacquelyn, Nicole, Jessie Ariel, Breann, Katrina, Rhea, Shannon, Audrea (Director)
Front: Recee, Brittany, Lauren

Last Saturday, I went to my first Los Angeles Clippers game of the season.

Those of you who have been with us a while know that the Clippers Spirit is one of my special favorite teams. As President, CEO, and Founder, of the Clippers Spirit fan club, I have a self-appointed obligation to be all up in their business. And, as the official unofficial photographer of the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit, I had a job to do. So when i woke up one day and it was December already and I hadn’t been to ONE game yet, I really needed to get in gear.

So I went to the game, and had a blast as usual. Then I sat down and attempted to retell the events in a witty and fascinating way that would entertain you to no end.

I wrote about how the complex was packed because LA car show and the KIIS FM jingle ball were going on at the same time.

I wrote about how I got sort of lost in the Staples Center and how I am always getting lost and how I am That Woman. The one you see wandering around the parking structure, pointing my key fob in every direction, pressing the button desperately because I haven’t the foggiest idea where I left the car.

I wrote about how I am about 84% convinced that there are zombies living the the basement of the Staples Center.

I wrote about when I finally got to the girls, they were rehearsing in the dressing room instead of on court because the Kings game ran long – and how the dressing room really isn’t built to accommodate that kind of activity.

I wrote about the new dance Nicole choreographed for the team, and how it involves cowboy hats, and how much I approve of props. I wrote about how I was inspired to buy some ninja outfits and plastic nunchicks and how I would get Nicole to choreograph something to “Kung-fu Fighting.” But then I remembered that ninjas and kung-fu aren’t the same thing at all.

I wrote about how it was Recee’s birthday and she had these crazy black over-the-knee leather boots with four inch heels, and ohmigod did I ever tell you about the time I saw her on tv and was all “dude…I totally know that chick.”

I wrote about how Cheryl actually does have feet, even though you can’t see them.

I wrote about all the new costumes and the new dances and the visits to the fans in the suites, and how intimidating these chicks look when they’re marching around, all dressed alike, with the eyelashes and shiny boots. How they seem somehow taller when they’re in full-on Clippers Spirit mode, but no, that’s just their shoes.

I wrote about how if I’d been in Shannon’s place, I would have introduced the toe of my pointy white boot to the posterior of a particularly obnoxious fan.

I wrote about how Jessica Alba was there, but I didn’t realize it was her, and thought it was just someone who looks like her, so I took a picture so I could ponder it later, but then she totally saw me pointing my camera at her and that was a little embarrassing.

I wrote about how one of the Pacers players was wearing black socks with his white sneakers and it was not hot.

I wrote about how the Clippers won and what’s up with getting the first round draft pick, only to have him sidelined with an injury since practically day one?

I wrote about how I had some technical difficulties and how next time around, I’m bringing the Big Daddy of camera lenses, which is sure to inspire fear, awe, and envy in all the other photographers.

I wrote about how we started tagging all of our photos here at Ultimate Cheerleaders, since they occasionally show up on some questionable websites and we have to prove ownership in order to force the creeps, pervs, etc to take them down.

I wrote a whole lot of stuff, none of it the least bit witty or fascinating. And now it has been a week and I’m still not happy with what I wrote, and being a perfectionist is SO overrated, so – never mind. I’ll let the photos tell the story.

You want to see the rest of them? Click here.

Rehearsing in the dressing room

Spirit and Fan Patrol doing a few quick run-throughs on the court before the game

Ariel, Shannon, Brittany, and Rhea visiting with fans in the suites before the game

Jacquelyn and Nicole with a young fan

The view from the suites. It’s a looooong way down.

Recee tapes a video segment

The Fan Patrol is ready to hit the court

Jaquelyn and Nicole during the National Anthem

Brittany during the National Anthem

Clippers Spirit gets the crowd going

1st quarter dance, “Le Grange”

Happy Birthday Recee!

In-arena host, Traci B

2nd quarter dance, “Trouble”
(This is the one choregraphed by Nicole. Woohoo!)

Somehow, I always end up behind the Fan Patrol…

…or right underneath them.

White shoes.
Black socks.
Enough said.

3rd quarter dance, “Come Together”

Sorry Jessica. I tried to do it on the down-low

Ready to hit the court for the 4th quarter.
Clockwise from Bre (the redhead): Breann, Katrina, Jessie, Lauren, Nicole, Brittany, and Jacquelyn.

4th quarter dance, “Faster Kill”

The ladies stay on the court during the last quarter.
From left: Nicole, Lauren, Katrina, Breann, Jessie, Rhea

From left: Shannon, Recee, Ariel, Jacquelyn, Brittany

Jessie and Breann keep the crowd hyped for the last few minutes of the game.

And that’s all folks!
You don’t have to go home, but you cain’t stay here!