featured-image

Clippers Share Who They Have In Super Bowl

Rowan Kavner Digital Content Coordinator

MIAMI - The Clippers aren’t changing their plan, but they are changing their plane so they can watch the Super Bowl while flying postgame from Miami to Philadelphia.

Head coach Doc Rivers said at least this will give the Clippers a chance to watch the first half on the plane. The Clippers play 2 p.m. ET in Miami, then the Super Bowl begins four and a half hours later.

“Everyone has the normal seat, not the big seats, but we did change planes so we could have a plane and watch the Super Bowl,” said Rivers, who wasn’t thrilled about the timing of the games, forcing the Clippers to travel during the Super Bowl. “But at least we get to watch it. We should land by halftime, perhaps.”

There are plenty of football fans on the Clippers roster and coaching staff, though few with direct allegiances to either team in this year’s Super Bowl.

But sometimes even the slightest connections to one of the teams can sway which team they root for Sunday night as Cam Newton and the Panthers take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

“Well, I’m with the Bears,” Rivers said, “and since (Panthers head coach) Ron Rivera is a Bear, I’ve got them by association. All you’ve got to do is connect the Chicago dots.”

Rivers wasn’t alone in picking Carolina. Once again, much like last year, both sides had supporters, while some players abstained from making a choice.

Chris Paul said he’s picking the Panthers and believes “it’s meant to be” for Newton. DeAndre Jordan was torn, because he likes both Manning and Newton and is close with Denver’s Von Miller, another Texas A&M product.

Paul Pierce also said it was tough to pick anyone when his team, the Patriots, weren’t there.

“I just want to see a good game,” Pierce said. “When your team’s not there, you just want a good game, so I’m torn.”

Jamal Crawford had the same problem, since he’s an ardent Seahawks fan. He said it’d be cool to see Manning to finish it off in Denver with a ring, but added that Newton’s played great this year.

“It’s just Seahawks for me,” Crawford said. “I don’t have anybody, so I just want a good game.”

Pablo Prigioni said he likes to watch American football, but doesn’t follow it closely enough to make a choice. When it comes to the more common “football” worldwide, Prigioni’s a Barcelona fan.

J.J. Redick also abstained from the vote, but most of the Clippers who gave their choice appear to favor the Panthers. That group included Paul, Luc Mbah a Moute, both Austin and Doc Rivers, Branden Dawson, C.J. Wilcox and Lance Stephenson, though Stephenson said Carolina might be getting too much love from everyone to make him confident in that choice.

Mbah a Moute, known for his own defensive prowess, said he’s liked the Panthers defense all year and stuck with them throughout the season. On the other side, Cole Aldrich said his heart says Carolina, but his mind believes Denver’s going to win.
Here’s more of what the players had to say:

Austin Rivers: “I’m a Falcons fan, believe it or not, for whatever reason, I used to be a huge fan of (Michael) Vick when he came out and I’ve stuck with them since then. Unfortunately, we’re not in the Super Bowl. It’s hard to say who you want to root for. This is a weird Super Bowl, because people want Peyton to go out strong, and then people are like, ‘Man, Cam’s had such a heck of a season, you kind of want him to finish it off.’ I’m glad those two teams made it though, because this is going to be an interesting Super Bowl. I think the Panthers are going to win. I think they’re the best team in football right now. I think it’s hard to go against them.”

C.J. Wilcox: “I’m going Panthers. They’re just rolling.”

Jeff Ayres: “It’s hard to go against Peyton Manning and his understanding of the other teams’ defenses and to get his offense to work with whatever they give him. Plus, he has the best defense in the NFL on the other side. But I don’t know… The Panthers are really good, too. It’s going to be a really good game. Both teams can put numbers up. I think Carolina is a little more favorable to put numbers up. I’m definitely undecided. If it comes down to, like, the fourth quarter, then the Broncos are going to win.”

Branden Dawson: “I’m going to go with the Panthers. I know everyone’s picking the Panthers to win, but they’re playing unbelievable right now. Everyone wants it to be a good game. I just think the Panthers are going to win.”