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Clippers fans chatted online with team captain and veteran dancer Kristin and rookie dancer Nina on Wednesday, March 26th.
Kristin and Nina answered your questions about the NBA Dance Team Bracket, their experiences as Spirit dancers, helpful tips for Spirit hopefuls and much more!
The Spirit Dancers face the Heat Dancers in the Finals of the 2008 NBA Dance Team Bracket. Vote online until April 4th at 9:00 am (PT)! You must be registered as an NBA All-Access member to vote in the NBA.com Dance Team Bracket. Access is free, so sign up today.
More Kristin:
More Nina:
More Spirit:
Kristin: Hi everyone! Thanks for much for voting and for all of your support! Let's get this chat started and Nina and I are here to answer all of your questions!
Jaxon C. (North Hollywood): How does it feel to beat your big time rivals the Laker Girls and Suns Dancers?
Nina: It's really exciting to get this far in the competition. We support all of the other dance teams in the league, but it's really great to see our fans show us their love and support.
Kristin: It was a very close vote the first two rounds. We're really honored to get this far. All of the teams have such big fan bases, so it just goes to show awesome our fans relly are.
Robert R. (Downtown): As a dancer, how would you describe being 'in the zone'? For basketball players it is when they cannot miss a shot but what is it for dancers?
Kristin: What I love about dancing is that there's that 90 seconds on the court where nothing else matters. It's all about being in the moment; I can't even hear anything when I'm 'In the zone.' I'm just focused on the routine.
Nina: Being 'in the zone' for me is about connecting with the music, letting go and forgetting about everything else around me.
Greg Barto: What kind of commitment does being in Clippers Spirit take? Have you ever thought about having a guy on the Spirit? I'd be very interested as I love dancing!
Kristin: In my position as captain, I don't hesitate to put 100% into the team and the organization. It sort of becomes a full-time job! There's so much going on behind the scenes, at rehearsals and appearances that takes up our time. You really get more out of this the more you put into it.
As for a guy on the Spirit... there are other NBA teams that incorporate male "break dancers," if you will. We don't have a team like that. At least not yet!
Nina: Being a member of the Spirit entails two rehearsals a week and 41 games throughout the season. That's about an average of about 20 hours per week. Because I have a two-year old, I also need to be sure I can find a balance between work and home.
Jo (Alhambra): Nina, you are by far my favorite Spirit member. My question is what is the most difficult / weirdest experience you have had interacting with the fans?
Nina: During my experience as a dancer in the NFL, I encountered a few more "difficult" fans than I have in the NBA. Our fans in LA have been great! I haven't had too many difficult or weird experiences, but have unfortunately had a few "wardrobe malfunctions" in the past!
Tim (Whittier): Oh Kristin, I remember when you were a fresh faced new dancer for the Clippers Spirit... meeting you at Knott's Berry Farm for the first time. How much has being a member of the Clipper's family changed your life?
Kristin: Hi Tim! I totally remember meeting you that day!
I think the Clippers came at a very transitional point in my life, and I've grown so much as a person and a dancer as a result. It takes a certain kind of confidence to be doing this job. Being a Spirit Dancer has helped me think with my heart and continue challenging myself on a daily basis. It's been a long and a fun journey!
John (Los Angeles): Will you both go out with me? Please?
Nina: Thanks for the offer, but my husband wouldn't really like that. ;-)
Kristin: If you can beat me at a "dance-off" then I'll consider it!
Victor (Los Angeles): I just want to say that you guys blow away Laker Girls any day of the week.
Kristin: Thank you! In that case, keep on voting for us!
Nina: They're very talented women, so that's a very big compliment. Thanks!
Christie Jo (Nashvegas): What has been your most embarassing moment as a Spirit Dancer?
Kristin: It was my second season on the team. We were doing this routine where at one point we were all supposed to dance together, then the next move was to go out and "freestyle" to the crowd. I had it backwards - I did the freestyle first. So basically, I had a dance solo all by myself and didn't really notice until about halfway through. At that point I thought I had lost my job! But Jessie, our director, laughed it off and gave me another chance.
Mike(Irvine): Do you girls get to choose the songs that you dance to? Not to put either of you on the spot BUT who is the best dancer and how is that determined? Great job and keep up the fabulous work!! Go Clippers!
Kristin: We don't necessarily get to choose the songs because the choreographers that come in already have a set routine already put to the music of their choice. We can recommend a style depending on the choreographer.
Everyone is put on this dance team for their own strengths. Every girl has their own fans because of those strengths.
Nina: Don't lie, Kristin. We have dance-offs at practice.
Kristin: You're only saying that because you won the last one.
Jon (L.A.): How do you girls decide who is captain?
Kristin: Every year the veterans vote. The ultimate decision is made by Jessie, our dance team director. She really takes into consideration the feedback of the veteran dancers.
Nina: After all of my experience, I think that Kristin is an amazing captain. I respect her so much. She's so poised and genuinely cares about this team and every dancer. I really respect her style. I think she's fabulous!
Karen (LA): Kristin - I noticed in your bio that you had the chance to teach dance in Japan. Are current trends in dance style in Japan similar to those in the U.S.?
Kristin: I think the Japanese dancers really look up to the American style of dancing. I thought it was a good idea to hold clinics out in Japan because there are so many dancers from Japan that come to the US to learn dance from American choreographers. They look up to our style of dancing, but they definitely have their own unique style as well. After my experience last summer I began to incorporate their style of dance into my own routines.
Nora: Orlando Bloom or Owen Wilson?
Kristin: Orlando Bloom.
Nina: I second that.
Shannon (LA): What's your favorite website?
Kristin: I am really addicted to e-mail, so that's where I go online the most!
Nina: Clippers.com and the NBA.com Dance Team Bracket!
Clement K. (Diamond Bar): Have you guys been keeping up with America's Best Dance Crew on MTV? If you have, which dance crew is your favorite?
Kristin: I've been floating in and out, but I was disappointed when Cabo Modern got kicked off! They were my favorite!
Victor (Los Angeles): Nina, what NFL team did you dance for?
Nina: The San Fransisco 49'ers for five seasons. Read my bio, people!
Jon (L.A.): Do you girls ever find yourselves amazed at the star players of other teams? Say, when Lebron does a crazy dunk or when Kobe makes one of his crazy fadeaway shots?
Kristin: Of course! You know who really amazes me? Steve Nash. He's the only player in the league where the ball comes out of nowhere and somehow lands in the basket!
Nina: I think they're all amazing athletes. We get to sit closer than any fan since we're courtside, so it's easy to appreciate their amazing athletic ability.
James: Who are your favorite Clippers players?
Kristin: Sam Cassell was mine before he left. I also love Elton. He's a strong foundation player and I really missed him this season. As I'm sure you can all agree!
Nina: Both Shaun Livingston and Elton Brand. It must be really hard for them to sit on the sidelines and go through their rehabilitation and still be able to keep a positive frame of mind, so I really respect that.
PlainJane(Redondo Beach): You're both gorgeous. What's your #1 beauty secret?
Kristin: Sleep!
Nina: Exercise. It mentally makes me feel better and physically makes me look my best. But sleep is good too!
Helena (LA): I think you ladies have what it takes to go to the Finals. Which team do you think is your toughest competition.
Kristin: The reigning champs, the Heat Dancers.
Nina: I have a friendly competition going with the Sonics. My good friend is the dance team director up there. But I have to agree with Kristin, the Heat dancers are hot!
Smiley (Reno): Kristin - How do you get such fab abs? How often do you work out?
Kristin: You should be asking Nina this question!
I'm a personal trainer. I like the quote "sweat once a day," so at least once a day I work out, take a dance class or so something that keeps me moving. I also eat really healthy food, so that helps!
Jamie (Memphis): Do you have any advice for Spirit Dancer hopefuls? When are auditions for next season?
Kristin: Auditions are usually held in the middle of July.
My one biggest piece of advice is to stay true to yourself and your style as a dancer. My first year I thought I had to be more of a jazz dancer because I figured that's what they were looking for; but I'm most comfortable doing hip-hop. In autitions I stayed true to myself and my style and that's why I was put on this team. So just be yourself!
Nina: Take a lot of dance classes and physically try to work out, eat right and be confident. Own it!
Lynette Johnson: What's your favorite outfit that you wear during routines?
Kristin: I like the blue skirt and halter top with knee-high white boots the best.
Nina: I really like the bikini top and skirt we wore for the photo shoot.
Colin (Madison): Do you think the NBA Dance Bracket is exploitive and should be banned?
Kristin: No! I think if anything it shines a positive light on the dance teams. It's really nice to be recognized. It's a really healthy competition and only good things can come from it. Maybe it will help the basketball teams as well!
Justin (Whittier): What's your favorite song to dance to?
Nina: Our routine to "Please Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna, choreographed by Kristin, is my favorite. We just debuted that dance two weeks ago.
Kristin: The personalized Clippers Spirit song that was written just for us. It's called "I Love Clipper Girls" by Tim Stevenson.
Steve O. (Whittier, CA): Just thought I would drop by and say hi. Oh Yeah, and those photos you got on Clippers.com are awesome! Keep up the good work!
Kristin: Thanks Steve! The photo shoot on the beach was fun. Hopefully we can do something new next season. Glad you liked them!
Nina: That's all we have time for today. Thanks for all of your questions and please vote for us today and tomorrow on NBA.com!
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