REDONDO BEACH, CA-The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the hottest tickets to catch NBA action for the past few seasons. With Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan becoming must-see TV, the Los Angeles Clippers Dance Team has picked up quite a few eyebrows as well. What used to be a throne in which the other LA dance team once ruled has now become a league-wide phenomenon of beautiful women adding entertainment value to their respective ballclubs in the form of dance that captures the imagination of jazz, pop and hip hop.
The Los Angeles Clippers Dance Team has picked up steam in recent years as a squad that hovers near or above the top of the NBA’s best dance team list.Close to 200 women filled the gymnasium at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California, to show off whatever dance skills they have with the hopes of making the 2014-15 Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance team. This was a new experience for some of the women. For other dancers trying out for the team this was just one of many auditions they have circulated through.
Some participants were fresh out of college. On the other hand, the dance team audition for some was the second or third time chance trying to make their dream happen. Jennifer Jones, who came by way of Philadelphia, recently re-located to Southern California, has plenty of experience under belt with her being a part of the Philadelhia 76ers dance crew. Monique Lane traveled all the way from Kansas City to the audition because she felt she had “hit her dance ceiling” in her hometown and was looking to do something new.
This wasn’t the first go-around for Lucy Diaz, who said she tried out to make the team years ago. Diaz said she was real nervous back then. Diaz, who currently lives in Boston, said she was just as nervous this time around.
“It’s so scary,” Diaz said. “I’m nervous all the time. I’ve been performing so long and I’ve done a lot of professional work but regardless everybody always ask does it get any easier? My answer is always, no. It is always just as hard.”
New Yorker Charisse Mannolini said she enjoyed herself during the tryout.
“This was so much fun,” Mannolini said. “Whether I make it or not, “I’m just lucky to be here, to be around such talented people. ”
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, race, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University. Email Dennis at dfreeman@news4usonline.com