National Basketball Association

Clippers fans march in LA streets for LeBron

Published May. 28, 2010 1:03 a.m. ET

foxsports

A band of Los Angeles Clippers fans has taken to the streets outside Staples Center to show love for LeBron James.

At least 75 Clippers fans in red-and-blue gear waved signs and chanted slogans as they marched up and down Chick Hearn Court on Thursday night in the hours before Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.

With signs displaying the No. 6, which will be James' uniform number next year, the fans chanted ``We want the King!'' and ``L-B-J!''

Although the Clippers are a longshot in the LeBron sweepstakes after 17 losing seasons in the last 18 years, they're among a handful of NBA teams with a combination of salary cap room, a solid supporting cast and a major media market to entice James. The two-time league MVP is eligible for free agency July 1.

The march was organized through Facebook by Darrell Bailey, the self-proclaimed ``Clipper Darrell'' who taunts opposing teams with clever comments from the lower bowl at Staples Center. Wearing a suit with one blue leg and one red leg, Clipper Darrell marched in front of the pack, shouting through a megaphone.

``LeBron versus Kobe, four times a year!'' Clipper Darrell yelled to cheers from his fellow fans.

Most Lakers fans streaming into Staples Center paid little attention to the march, although a few mumbled about disrespect from Los Angeles' perpetual second-banana franchise.

Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin are expected to be back next season with the Clippers, who haven't hired a coach after the midseason dismissal of Mike Dunleavy, the winningest coach in the franchise's sorry history. Interim coach Kim Hughes is among the candidates for the full-time job, and is still working at the Clippers' training complex in Playa Vista.