Clippers’ flopper gets called out

Oh, the Clippers.

That would be the one organization to screw up being a feel-good story.

Though Los Angeles leads Memphis 3-1 in a Western Conference first-round playoff series, thanks largely to Blake Griffin, the Clippers are reverting to being the Clippers - at least in reputation.

Griffin has turned into a soccer player, flopping every time a Grizzlies player gets close.

The officials - yes, shocking NBA officials would miss calls in the playoffs - are falling for the over-the-top acting jobs.

As TNT replayed flop after flop during its halftime show Monday, Charles Barkley said, "Those aren't even hard fouls."

TNT's Chris Webber called out Griffin during the game: "Coaches and GMs send tape into the league. You do not want to be known as a flopper. With him being so good, he doesn't need all the extra stuff. Everybody sees it, and you lose respect."

So there you have it. The Clippers finally are worth watching, and they've found a way to mess it up. It wouldn't be the Clippers otherwise.

■ DAILY HARPER UPDATE - The plunking Las Vegan Bryce Harper took Sunday from Philadelphia's Cole Hamels has been the talk of the sports world, even leading ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" the following day.

Hamels, who was suspended five games after admitting he hit Harper on purpose and calling it an "old-school" move, has received the brunt of the criticism. You know you might be on the wrong side of the argument when Cal Ripken Jr. is against you.

"There are real reasons on how you play the game and embarrass the game," Ripken said on a radio show. "That's old school. But just to come up and drill somebody for no reason, I don't remember that being old school."

And Ripken is as old school as it gets.

Also, if Ripken is talking, it matters, and just about anything involving Bryce Harper matters.

He was a major topic on at least two local talk radio shows Monday - including one co-hosted by the Review-Journal's Ed Graney - and the general question was why many Las Vegans don't like Harper.

There was no good answer, other than he's cocky.

A professional athlete with an ego? If that's a problem, good luck finding one you like.

■ NO LAUGHING MATTER - Comedian Jimmy Kimmel grew up in Las Vegas, and he badly wants the Rebels to land Findlay Prep forward Anthony Bennett.

Kimmel tweeted, "UNLV needs you Anthony!"

Bennett, one of the nation's top recruits, has narrowed his choice to UNLV and Oregon, taking Kentucky out of the running. Imagine how well that went over in the Bluegrass State, where crazy is taken to another level when it comes to basketball.

One Wildcats fan tweeted to Bennett: "I only hope the worst for you (bleep) you!!!" Another tweet read: "you suck. Unlv blows Kentucky didn't want you anyway (bleep)."

Bennett took the high road, tweeting: "I could careless about the people talking & wishing bad on me ..."

He's probably thankful he won't be heading to Lexington.

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL