Clippers’ Chris Douglas-Roberts wants to bring back short shorts

The player: Chris Douglas-Roberts

The scoop: The Clippers signed the free agent forward/guard in September. The 27-year-old Douglas-Roberts was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 2008 as the 40th overall pick. Since then he has signed with five teams, including the Lakers. In 210 career regular season games with New Jersey, Milwaukee, Dallas and Charlotte, he holds averages of 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes per game. Last season with the Bobcats, he averaged 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.7 minutes in 49 games.

Before his NBA career, Douglas-Roberts played three seasons at the University of Memphis, where he was a consensus first-team All-American and the Conference USA Player of the Year as a junior in 2008. That year, he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, helping lead the Tigers to the National Championship game.

The hope: The Clippers hope the 6-foot-7 Douglas-Roberts can be a strong contributor as a spot up shooter and a defender. Clippers’ Coach Doc Rivers told Douglas-Roberts that he thinks he’s underrated as a player. And according to Synergy Sports, Douglas-Roberts was listed as the 10th-most efficient player in the league last season for his ability to make perimeter shots, run the floor and clog the court on defense.

The off-the-court: Douglas-Roberts wants to re-popularize the infamous short shorts of NBA history. Why? He gave L.A. Times’ reporter Ben Bolch the info. “I just feel sexy in these,” he said.

Tweeted Roberts on Sept. 8: “Told Clippers I’m wearing # 14 this yr & I need medium shorts. They said medium shorts? I said yea like Stockton. Gonna be a fun yr #LobCity”