The Los Angeles Clippers are on an incredible winning streak that has left fans and commentators alike astonished. On December 20, everything shifted dramatically for the team, marking a pivotal moment in their season.
Since that date, superstar Kawhi Leonard has emerged as the top scorer in the NBA, averaging an impressive 31.8 points per game, while teammate James Harden has also made significant contributions, with an average of 25.1 points during this period. As a result, the Clippers boast the best scoring differential in the Western Conference, showcasing their remarkable form.
Enter Robert Flom, a dedicated blogger who covers the Clippers. On December 20, he made a bold declaration on X: "If they go 15-3 in any stretch this season, I will print and eat this tweet.” Fast forward to now, the Clippers have indeed achieved a 15-3 record since his post, and true to his word, Flom went viral by printing out the tweet and eating it.
"It was pretty crunchy," he humorously remarked.
Unlike the days of the 1950s or 1980s, when teams like the Baltimore Bullets and Cleveland Cavaliers faced their own struggles without the scrutiny of social media, Flom’s light-hearted moment is a reminder of how much the landscape of sports commentary has changed. The 1952-53 Bullets managed to sneak into the playoffs despite finishing fourth in a five-team division with a dismal record of 16-54. The Cavaliers in the 1984-85 season were also unlikely playoff contenders, starting off 6-21 before somehow reaching the postseason.
This season, the Clippers found themselves in a similar predicament, starting off with a 6-21 record, which had many writing them off for good. However, their remarkable turnaround has revived their playoff hopes. Currently, as they prepare for a game against Utah, the Clippers stand at 21-24, three games below .500. This puts them in 10th place in the West, just enough to qualify for the play-in tournament, which could lead to a playoff spot.
For a team that was teetering on the brink of last place just before Christmas, bouncing back to contention is nothing short of miraculous.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue expressed optimism following a dominant 126-89 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. "We’re confident, we’re playing well, but we've still got to improve further," he stated. "It's crucial that we continue executing properly and maintain our momentum."
The players and fans alike have embraced Flom's tweet, with the team's social media crew having some fun with the situation. Following their fifteenth win in eighteen games, Lue joked about wanting to capture Flom's reaction on camera, while Leonard quipped, "I don't know how healthy that is for you." Fans joined in the playful banter, chanting "eat the tweet" during the game.
This lighthearted episode adds to the feel-good narratives emerging from the NBA this season. For instance, the Toronto Raptors, after a rocky start, are now contending for home-court advantage in the playoffs, while the Phoenix Suns have surpassed expectations after being projected for only 30.5 wins, already tallying 27 victories. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have defied odds by securing the No. 2 spot in the East despite the absence of star player Jayson Tatum.
The Clippers entered this season with high hopes, expected to be serious contenders for the title. Their shocking start of 6-21 was unexpected, but so was the turnaround that followed. Flom's tweet has become a fun part of this narrative, bringing a sense of joy to Clippers fans who have endured a tumultuous season filled with drama, including investigations regarding player contracts and the surprising removal of Chris Paul in early December.
Now, with the team enjoying a successful run, Flom optimistically predicts the Clippers will finish the season with a record of 45-37. Looking at their current performance, he might just find himself enjoying a delicious slice of humility rather than having to eat his words.
