After spending time in Charlotte, Dallas, Minnesota, Cleveland and Boston during my NBA career, I am coming home to LA.
I signed with the Clippers this summer and I'm thrilled. Just to be in the NBA is awesome, but to be able to play in front of your family and friends every night makes it even better. It is a prestigious opportunity to be playing pro basketball in your hometown.
And I can't begin to express the level of excitement of my family. My father - Denier Hollins - has watched every game of mine. In fact, I have had to convince him that it wouldn't be necessary for him to move to each city I played for.
Now, he gets to watch 41 home games in person.
From my experience, the hardest part of joining a new team is getting acclimated and learning to navigate through a brand new city. Obviously, I won't have this issue...since I grew up here.
Of course there were other opportunities on the table. But from a business standpoint, signing with the Clippers made the most sense. This is a chance to be a part of something special. I love the direction of this team. It's gone from a very exciting team to a championship contending team with this summer's veteran acquisitions. I know a couple of the guys already and I think I'll fit right in.
Nothing garners respect like hard work and being a selfless teammate. I'm here to do all the simple things that will hopefully enable us to win a championship. I'm an athletic player that likes to finish at the rim and Chris Paul puts players like myself in the best position to succeed.
I admire the way Vinny Del Negro coaches this team, pushing for layups in free-flowing pick and rolls. And I really admire what he did last year, leading this team to the best record in franchise history amidst a lot of turmoil and drama.
Joining me will be Lamar Odom, who knows a thing or two about drama. Lamar, his wife Khloe and their reality show The Kardashians are back in LA after spending last season in Dallas. With that show, he really has to step out of his comfort zone and allow the world to watch him off the court. That takes some serious conviction.
And who knows, maybe I can make a cameo now since we live in the same complex (as long as Lamar and his wife do not mind). Pretty funny, the Odoms and I are neighbors.
Playing in your hometown is already a distraction, but playing in Los Angeles can be an even bigger one because this is Los Angeles.
Some friends and family might not understand the work it takes to win a championship and want to hang out. But I'll treat it like any other situation. I'm going to remain disciplined with my workout regimen, and see family and friends when I can.
And one of the best things about moving back to LA...I'll get to take in some UCLA games. We look like we're going to have an amazing season with a highly touted freshman class. I'm anxious to see Coach Ben Howland turn it around this season.
Playing for the hometown Clippers and getting to see my Bruins in person?
Man it's good to be home.
