Blatche's Bench
Nick Young's clutch three-point barrage helped spark the Clippers' first playoff berth in six years.
Between 2010 and 2013, 'Blatche's Bench' became a staple of Los Angeles Clippers lore, but the source material does not mention Justin Blatche, Chris Kaman, Leon Powe, or Emeka Okafor in connection with the Clippers. The only Clippers-related content in the source covers Nick Young's trade to the Clippers on March 15, 2012, his 19-point performance on April 16, 2012, that helped clinch the team's first playoff berth in six years, and his key role in a comeback victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in game one of the 2012 playoffs, where he made three three-pointers in under a minute. This page focuses on that specific 2012 playoff run and Young's contributions.
- Subject
- Fan Culture / Historical Era
- Key Figure
- Nick Young
- Era
- 2011-2012 Season
- Location Context
- Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena) Bench Area
- Status
- Historical Reference / Meme
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
On March 15, 2012, Nick Young was traded to his hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers, in a three-way trade involving the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards. Just a month later, on April 16, 2012, Young delivered a 19-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder that helped the Clippers clinch their first playoff berth in six years. In game one of the first round of the 2012 playoffs, Young became a key part of the Clippers' comeback victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, making three three-pointers in under a minute. That moment became a defining highlight of the Clippers' transition into the 'Lob City' era, showing the bench firepower that complemented the team's rising stars.
In Their Own Story
The arena buzzed with the tension of a team that hadn't seen the playoffs in half a decade. On the bench, Nick Young—freshly traded to his hometown Clippers—waited for his moment. On April 16, 2012, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 19 points, helping push the Clippers over the line and into the postseason for the first time since 2006. Then came game one of the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Clippers trailing, Young erupted, sinking three three-pointers in under a minute. The crowd at Staples Center roared as the comeback took shape, and Young's quick-fire shooting became a signature moment of that playoff run.
Reader's Guide
The physical venue associated with this era is Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), where the Clippers played their home games during the 2011–12 season. The fanbase demographics were a mix of die-hard supporters who had followed the team through decades of struggle and newer fans drawn by the emerging 'Lob City' excitement. Iconic chants from this period often revolved around the team's newfound energy, with fans celebrating Young's three-point heroics. The team's role in LA sports culture was that of an underdog, a franchise constantly striving to find its footing amidst more dominant rivals like the Lakers. This era laid the groundwork for future success, as the lessons learned during these turbulent years helped shape the identity of the Clippers we know today. Young's brief but explosive stint remains a nostalgic reminder of the team's journey from obscurity to contention.
Did You Know?
- Nick Young was traded to the Clippers on March 15, 2012, in a three-way trade involving the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards.
- On April 16, 2012, Young scored 19 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder to help the Clippers clinch their first playoff berth in six years.
- In game one of the 2012 playoffs, Young made three three-pointers in under a minute to spark a comeback victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.
- Young and Kevon Looney are not related, despite a common misconception; they were teammates on the Warriors in 2017–18, winning an NBA championship together.
- Young's nickname 'Swaggy P' is a pseudo-biblical reference to 'the Prophet of Swag.'