Clippers to debut “A Tribe Called Bench” tees on Christmas [photo]

Every NBA bench needs a nickname. It’s just standard operating procedure. Especially if the bench is putting in work. But there is only so many times you can fall back on “the bench mob.” That nickname has certainly run it’s course. The Clippers have all the ingredients required to have a classic bench name. Several championship rings on the bench, savvy vets, young players bubbling with potential, production and the key spice running throughout the team, chemistry.

So they needed a nickname. They tried to come up with a few of their own, “Lob Deep” – NO. “Mobb Deep” – that was the Knicks bench’s nickname last season. Then, someone took to Twitter for suggestions and “A Tribe Called Bench” was born. The name takes it’s inspiration from the classic 90’s rap group, “A Tribe Called Quest.” The group responsible for hits like “Bonita Applebum,” “Hot Sex on a platter,” “Check the rhyme” and many more.

Featured on the shirt, Lamar Odom, Ryan Hollins, Grant Hill, Trey Thompkins, Ronny Turiaf, Jamal Crawford, Eric Bledsoe, Willie Green, and Matt Barnes.

The shirts will be available on Christmas when the Clippers take on the Denver Nuggets.

In case you have no working knowledge of A Tribe Called Quest, here are a few selects. Let’s dip back to the 90’s for a bit shall we:

1990: