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Branden Dawson believes he'll fit in well with Clippers
Branden Dawson can already see himself wearing the new Clippers logo. Literally.
Clippers fans got to work on visions of their lone draft pick in team gear before he's even been introduced in Los Angeles.
"The new logo is nice," Dawson said in a conference call on Friday. "I've had a few people tag me in some pictures of me with the new logo."
Dawson, a forward from Michigan State, was selected with the 56th pick overall after the Clippers acquired him for cash. The Clippers went into the draft without a draft pick.
"The Clippers organization is definitely a high-class organization and well respected and a winning organization," Dawson said. "You see how close they were in the past playoff run. The team values winning and coach Doc (Rivers) values winning as well. He has a group of guys that get along with each other. It's a great organization, and I'm excited to be part of this organization and thankful."
After a long NBA draft night Friday, Dawson finally heard his name called when the Clippers drafted him.
"I was just sitting there patiently waiting," Dawson said on a conference call Friday. "It was kind of hard. I was sitting there with family and friends. A lot of people were getting tired sitting there waiting. When it all came together, the main thing was for them to be part of the special moment. When the second round went on, I kind of got worried but things worked out for the best."
Players with local ties, like #StanleyJohnson of @MaterDeiBball, taken in 2015 #NBADraft http://t.co/eEShSKjO1E #NBA pic.twitter.com/IUVLzjhpAS
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) June 26, 2015
Dawson, at 6-foot-6, impressed the Clippers with his toughness, and he believed he had one of his best workouts in Los Angeles.
As for his role and position he'll play with the Clippers, Dawson isn't quite sure.
"I'll say right now I'm listed at power forward but I don't really worry about my position," Dawson said. "Throughout workouts, half of my workouts were playing the wing position. That's where I'm comfortable. I feel a lot of people haven't seen the different things I can do. I'm just ready. I can get in and go to work and get ready to bring wins to the organization."
He's friends with the Warriors' Draymond Green, who took him around on his recruiting trip to Michigan State and has been a mentor ever since.
Of course, the Clippers and Warriors - the NBA champions - don't like each other, so Dawson and Green should have a friendly rivalry brewing soon. But off the court, Green has helped Dawson tremendously.
"My relationship with Draymond has been incredible, from the first day when I was on campus for my first official visit," Dawson said. "He's a winner. He competes. He's relentless. A lot of people doubted him and said he couldn't play at the next level ... When I had to change my agent he was there for me.
Heading to the combine and interviews, he kept saying to make sure I'm honest and present myself well."
Dawson will be fighting for a spot on the Clippers team. Being drafted doesn't guarantee that. Dave Wohl, the Clippers general manager, said Dawson's toughness was one of his best traits.
"I would definitely say a winning mentality," Dawson said of what he brings to the Clippers. "I value winning. Losing is something I hate doing. Just my toughness and how to play on the defensive end. I'm a guy who loves to compete. It's just a great group of guys here from Chris Paul to Blake Griffin to Jamal Crawford. Austin Rivers came out of the same class as me. I associate myself with winning and good guys on and off the court and guys who want to be good."
