Rowan Kavner
LOS ANGELES - For Doc Rivers, the trip to China wasn’t entirely about the present or preseason success.
It was less tangible than that, and more about the future and chemistry.
If the trip ends up yielding the results Rivers expects, the Clippers’ growth off the court from their week abroad will subsequently lead to a more cohesive and trusting group on it once games start to actually count down the line.
“This trip here has been good for us,” Rivers said. “I think for our team, you know, we have nine new players. Starting out in Shenzhen and coming to Shanghai, I think this has been a good unity trip for us. We’re going to different things together, we’re on the bus more together, we’re going to dinner together.
“I said this in Shenzhen, I think if things go the way we want them to go and we’re the champions, hopefully, we’re going to look back on this trip to China and say this is one of the main reasons that allowed us to come together. So this has really been a good trip for us.”
Rivers made those comments before the second preseason loss, but his tune didn’t change afterward. While he wasn’t pleased with the way the Clippers played on the court, he considered the trip a success from a team-building standpoint.
From Rivers’ trip to Tencent in Shenzhen, to the team’s trip to a Buddhist temple in Shanghai, the Clippers experienced things they wouldn’t have otherwise had they stayed back.
The trip to China began in Shenzhen, with the Clippers leaving on a Wednesday morning and not reaching their destination until Thursday night. After a few days to see the city and practice, the Clippers participated in the first ever NBA game in the city, which J.J. Redick called an honor.
“We had an incredible few days here,” he said. “It’s a great city, and the passion of Chinese NBA fans is great and it’s an honor to be part of this.”
Rivers called Shenzhen a fabulous city and described the experience as wonderful, and he had a similar take after going to Shanghai. That trip marked a return for many of the NBA veterans on the team.
Chris Paul, who regularly makes a summer trip to China, said he was excited to learn the Clippers would be heading to Shanghai.
“I make it a point to come every summer, because like I said, the fans have always been so grateful here to me in China,” Paul said. “It’s always a lot of fun. I’m very familiar. My wife came with me last summer, she’s here with me again this time, so I know my way around a little bit now.”
For those who aren’t as familiar with the city, they hope to become so in the future. Redick said he plans on vacationing in Shanghai after spending time in the city during this trip.
Jamal Crawford said he doesn’t take for granted when fans outside of the country know his name, which was the case in China.
“The love for basketball here is pure,” Crawford said. “It’s inspiring; it really is. I think it’s motivating.”
At a Fan Appreciation Night toward the end of the trip, Paul Pierce said it gave him chills to be among the crowd. The night didn’t even feature a game, and yet the entire arena was completely packed full of fans cheering at any opportunity, from dunk lines to 3-point contests.
While the on-court results weren’t what they wanted, the Clippers will look back at their experiences together in China as a positive.
“I think it allows you to team build sooner than it would if you were just at home,” Rivers said.