Clipper Darrell is one of the most notable fans in the NBA. You may recognize him from his custom made Clippers car or his custom made Clippers suit. He’s such a dedicated, enthusiastic fan that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban once met with him and tried to hire him to work for Dallas. Darrell didn’t bite.
But Darrell’s not just a goofy guy with a suit; he’s a pioneer. He led a rally hoping to convince LeBron James to sign with the Clippers as a free agent, and he protested the team last season after their poor start. Now he’s organizing a sleepover at Staples Center to protest the NBA lockout.
Clipper Darrell first mentioned the sleepover protest on his twitter account August 16th. “I WANT BASKETBALL BACK!! The LA Clippers finally get a superstar & now it’s an NBA lockout. I WILL SLEEP @STAPLES starting OCT.1 ..are u in?” Clipper Darrell wrote. He’s been running a countdown to the sleepover, mentioning it every few days. He’s even trying to recruit other people to join him “All NBA fans arena & restaurant employees camera people & anybody else this affects on Oct 1 protest lockout sleep over Staples Center.”
Darrell says he won’t leave Staples Center until the lockout ends but I don’t buy it. What he doesn’t realize is that this is going to go on through at least the end of the year. No way he goes Ghandi on everyone and remains at Staples for months — it’s just not going to happen.
Darrell talked a big game when he said he was protesting the Clippers but he only lasted one half. Also, his efforts (much like his recruitment of LeBron) are misguided. Sleeping out at Staples Center won’t change the labor situation; it’s just a waste of time. But it’s funny watching Darrell trying to rally the troops.
