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Los Angeles Clippers
2011–12 Los Angeles Clippers season
Los Angeles Clippers logo
ConferenceWestern Conference
DivisionPacific Division
Founded1970
HistoryBuffalo Braves
1970–1978
San Diego Clippers
1978–1984
Los Angeles Clippers
1984–present
ArenaStaples Center
Team colorsRed, Royal Blue and White
     
Head coachVinny Del Negro
OwnershipDonald Sterling
Championships0
Conference titles0
Division titles0

The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The club's home games are played at Staples Center, an arena shared with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL).

History

Buffalo years (1970–78)

Main article: Buffalo Braves

San Diego years (1978–84)

File:SanDiegoClippers.png
San Diego Clippers logo.

In the team's first season in San Diego, it posted a record of 43–39 under new head coach Gene Shue. That record two games out of the final playoff spot. It would be the Clippers' last winning season for 13 years. It was also in that first season in Southern California that long-time announcer Ralph Lawler began his association with the club. Randy Shannon had another solid season, averaging 20.5 points per game, finishing second behind World B. Free, who was acquired in the offseason from the Philadelphia 76ers. Free finished second overall in NBA scoring average, with 28.8 per game, while George Gervin of the San Antonio Spurs had a 29.6 average.

The 1979–80 season saw the Clippers begin to struggle despite adding center Bill Walton, a San Diego native who was two years removed from an NBA Championship with the Trail Blazers. Walton missed 68 games due to foot injuries (which he also suffered in his final years in Portland). San Diego finished 35–47 as key players missed games due to injuries. Free again finishing second in league scoring, with 30.2 PPG. Paul Silas replaced Shue the following season, and the Clippers finished 36–46, again missing the postseason. Walton missed the entire season again due to foot injuries. Free was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Phil Smith.

The 1981–82 season brought changes to the franchise as Irv Levin sold the team to Los Angeles-area real estate developer and attorney Donald Sterling for US$12.5 million. The Clippers' poor play in the final years in San Diego resulted in averaging only 4,500 fans a game. Sterling lobbied the NBA to relocate the team to his native Los Angeles.

1984–2001: Moving to Los Angeles

Los Angeles Clippers secondary logo

In 1984, the Clippers moved north to Los Angeles, playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. They finished 31–51 under head coach Jim Lynam.

Ken Norman, the Clippers' scoring leader in 1988–89, was a key part of the team's nucleus during the late 1980s and early '90s

They were hapless for the next seven seasons, including a 12–70 record in the 1986–87 season that was the second-worst single-season record in NBA history at that time. Marques Johnson and Norm Nixon were both injured. That same season also saw Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor join the team as the General Manager and Vice President of basketball operations.

In the 1989–90 season, Baylor made a trade with the Cavaliers that brought Ron Harper in exchange for Danny Ferry and Reggie Williams. That move, along with the 1987 NBA Draft of Ken Norman, the 1988 draftings of Danny Manning and Charles Smith (Smith was acquired from Philadelphia in exchange for the draft rights to Hersey Hawkins), and the 1990 NBA Draft of Loy Vaught, formed a nucleus that made the franchise a playoff contender.

Midway through the 1991–92 season, the Clippers made yet another coaching change. Larry Brown, who had been fired by the San Antonio Spurs earlier, was hired as the team's head coach in late January 1992. He replaced Mike Schuler, who had led the team to a 22–25 record before his firing. Brown finished the season with a 23–12 mark, for 45-37 overall. The franchise's first winning season in 13 years. For the first time since moving to Los Angeles, they finished with a better record than the crosstown Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers advanced to the playoffs for the first time in 16 years (since the franchise's Buffalo heyday), but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Utah Jazz, 3–2. Due to the late April 1992 Los Angeles riots, the Anaheim Convention Center was the site of Game 4 of the series, which the Clippers won. The team made the playoffs again in the 1992–93 season with a 41–41 record, but lost again in five games in the first round, to the Rockets.

Brown left to become the Indiana Pacers' head coach, and Bob Weiss was brought in to replace him. That 1993–94 season proved to be one of the worst in Los Angeles NBA history, with both the Clippers and Lakers going a combined 60–104. After one year on the job, Weiss was fired, and veteran head coach Bill Fitch was brought in to guide a roster of young and inexperienced players. The Clippers continued to make frequent roster and coaching changes throughout the next several years with only one playoff appearance in 1997, under Fitch. That team made the playoffs with a losing record (36–46) and were swept in the first round by the eventual Western Conference Champion Jazz, 3-0.

From 1994 to 1998, the Clippers played several games at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, sharing the venue with the NHL's Mighty Ducks and the Splash indoor soccer team. In 1999, the Clippers joined the Lakers and Los Angeles Kings in the new Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. In sharing the building with other tenants, such as the highly-popular Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers, with relatively low success, were often overshadowed by the "Big Brother" Lakers. It was in that first season at Staples Center that they drafted highly-touted Lamar Odom. The Clippers finished 15–67. They hired former All-Star (and Los Angeles native) Dennis Johnson as an assistant coach, as well as Hall of Fame former Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help tutor second-year center Michael Olowokandi. Johnson remained an assistant coach until the middle of the 2002–03 season, when he took over as head coach. Abdul-Jabbar remained only one season.

The 2000–01 season brought changes. Derek Strong was sent to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Corey Maggette and the draft rights to Keyon Dooling. The Clippers' two draft picks that year were childhood friends from Illinois: high schooler Darius Miles (3rd overall pick) and Quentin Richardson, (18th overall pick). The team became popular among fans with its high-flying style of basketball and the Clippers did improve a bit with a 31–51 record, leading the NBA in bench-scoring with 37 points per game.

2001–2005: Rebuilding

To improve upon the previous season, the Clippers acquired high-scoring and rebounding power forward Elton Brand from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Tyson Chandler. Brand earned a spot on the 2002 NBA Western Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement for Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers. The Clippers contended for most of the season, but won only 3 of the last 13 games and finished 39–43, five games out of the playoffs.

The 2002 offseason brought changes, as Miles was traded to the Cavaliers for Andre Miller, who led the NBA in assists in 2001–02 with 11 per game. With a good point guard in Miller, Lamar Odom at small forward, one of the league's best power forwards, Brand, the center Olowokandi, and a good supporting cast off the bench, the Clippers could actually make a run for the playoffs. However, with poor team chemistry and injuries (the Clippers lost 293 man-games to injury), they finished with a disappointing 27–55 record. Head coach Alvin Gentry was replaced by Dennis Johnson midway through the 2002–03 season.

In the 2003–04 season, the Clippers lost many of their core players to free agency (Miller, Odom, Olowokandi, and forward Eric Piatkowski--one of the longest-tenured players in Clippers history[1]), while opting to retain Brand and Maggette with long-term contracts. They, along with Richardson, made up one of the NBA best high-scoring trios, with a combined 58 points per game. With new head coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr., they finished 28–54, due to inexperience and injuries. In the 2004 offseason, the organization and fans anticipated the arrival of Kobe Bryant as a free agent, but were shocked when he decided to accept an 11th-hour offer to remain with the Lakers.

The 2004–05 season saw the Clippers, although also missed the playoffs, finished with a better record than the Lakers for the first time since 1993. Bobby Simmons won the 2004–05 NBA Most Improved Player award after averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. As a result, Simmons signed a 5-year, $47 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. To counter Simmons' defection, the Clippers announced they would sign Cuttino Mobley to a contract similar in years (5) but less money ($42 million) to what Simmons received. Mobley was the first significant free agent signing from outside the organization since Bill Walton in late 1970s.

More deals were made. They traded Marko Jaric (in a sign and trade transaction) and Lionel Chalmers to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Sam Cassell and a lottery-protected 1st round pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. In relation to the lottery-protected pick, in order for the Clippers to acquire the pick, the Timberwolves would have to make the playoffs, or Minnesota would retain the pick.

During the summer of 2005, the Clippers announced they would build a state-of-the-art practice facility (the first NBA practice facility within the four corners of the City of Los Angeles) in the Playa Vista development. Several current players on the Clippers' lineup live in the planned community.[2]

2005–06: Back to the Playoffs

File:Clippers Logo 1984-2010.svg
Los Angeles Clippers logo (1984–2010)

The 2005–06 season was a turning point for the team's image; marked by several wins over top team. Brand was chosen for the All-Star Game and articles have been written in sports magazines giving recognition to the much improved team.[citation needed] Just before the trade deadline, the Clippers traded Chris Wilcox to the Seattle SuperSonics for Vladimir Radmanović. They had lacked consistent outside shooting, which is what they looked for in the trade.

While the Clippers had a few stretches of poor play they were able to maintain a solid record, including posting several winning streaks. They achieved their first winning record in 14 seasons and clinched their first playoff spot since 1997. They also finished with a better record than the Lakers for the second straight year.

By finishing sixth in the Western Conference, with a record of 47–35 (their highest finish since the team left Buffalo), they benefited from the current NBA playoff format of regular season records taking precedence over winning the division, and secured home court advantage over the Denver Nuggets instead of traveling to Denver for four games as a No. 6 seed would usually be expected to do.

On April 22, 2006, the Clippers won their first NBA playoff game in 13 years. Two days later, they won their second playoff game, going 2–0 against an opponent for the first time in franchise history. They lost Game 3, but won Game 4. On Monday, May 1, 2006, they won Game 5 in Los Angeles and their first playoff series since they moved from Buffalo.

The team faced the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semi-finals. After losing a close Game 1, they won Game 2, 122–97. The series shifted to Staples Center for Game 3, but the Suns won, 94–91. In Game 4, Elton Brand posted 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists as the Clippers evened the series. In Game 5, Suns guard/forward Raja Bell made a key 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in the first overtime to send the game into a second overtime. However, Phoenix won in double-overtime, 125–118.

They bounced back with a series-saving 118–106 Game 6 win. Second-year defensive specialist Quinton Ross had a timely offensive game, scoring a then career-high 18 points. Brand had 30 points (his scoring average in this particular series), 12 rebounds, and five blocks. Maggette came off the bench to score 25 points, with 7–8 shooting from the field, and 9–9 from the free throw line. Kaman and Cassell each scored 15 points. The Clippers lost the seventh game 127–107. General Manager (and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member) Elgin Baylor won the NBA Executive of the Year award for leading the Clippers to the playoffs.

2006–2009: Another period of struggle

The 2006 off-season started as the team drafted center Paul Davis in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft, as the 34th overall pick. The pick was acquired by the Clippers by way of a 2004 trade for Melvin Ely. The team also drafted guard Guillermo Diaz from the as the 52nd overall pick. While Davis signed with the team, Diaz decided to play overseas. However, the team still holds his draft rights.

Meanwhile in free agency they signed Tim Thomas away from divisional rival Phoenix, in a four-year, $24 million deal. That was to counter the defection of Vladimir Radmanović to the Lakers in a similar deal, except Radmanovic signed for an extra year, but both players would make the same amount of money annually, which would be $6 million.

Also guard Sam Cassell (widely credited as the biggest reason for the Clippers' recent success) signed a two-year, $13 million deal. Cassell stated that once he retired he would like to join the Clippers' coaching staff under Mike Dunleavy, Sr. Also the team signed veteran Aaron Williams to an undisclosed deal.

In September, the Clippers announced a radio broadcast deal with KSPN-AM, the local ESPN Radio-operated outlet. The team did not perform to expectations,compared to the previous season. A lot of this had been attributed to lack of team chemistry and injuries to several key players, including Cassell, Thomas, Livingston, and Kaman. Players such as Luke Jackson, Alvin Williams, and Doug Christie were signed to 10-day contracts to help solidify the team's bench.

Adding to the disappointment of the 2006–07 season, Shaun Livingston suffered a dislocated left knee in which he tore every ligament in his knee. This was one of the most devastating injuries that season that left him a player that would never be the same.[3] The extent of the injury was so severe, local news outlets such as KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV and KNBC-TV elected not to air the clip of the injury. According to the team's lead physician, Dr. Tony Daly, Livingston's prognosis for him to return to basketball activity was eight months (which was around the first week of the upcoming season) to a full calendar year.[4] The Clippers, expected by many to make the playoffs after their surprise appearance the season before, finished the season 40–42, 2 games behind the 8th-seed. The Lakers finished with a better record for the first time since the 2003–04 NBA season. The Clippers received the fourteenth draft pick from the NBA lottery. They selected Al Thornton and Jared Jordan with their 45th pick.

The 2007–08 season started off on a negative note, with Brand on the disabled list because of a ruptured left Achilles tendon, and Livingston still out. Brand missed most of the season, and they struggled to stay competitive. Chris Kaman took advantage of a depleted roster by averaging 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, but was limited to playing 56 games due to various injuries. The Clippers ended the season 23–59.

They saw the departure of several players for the 2008–09 season, including Brand and Maggette, and acquired ten players. Brand's departure stunned everyone, because he had stated that he loved playing for L.A. and wanted to stay, negotiations for a new contract fell apart and he accepted a huge deal from the Philadelphia 76ers. Baron Davis, a Los Angeles native and formerly of the Golden State Warriors, signed a five-year contract with the Clippers, worth an estimated $65 million.[5]

After a disappointing 2007–08 season, the Clippers obtained the 7th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, and selected Eric Gordon.[6] The team also selected DeAndre Jordan(35th overall pick). Mike Taylor (55th overall pick), was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a future second-round pick.

Also in July, the Clippers acquired Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets in return for a $10 million trade exception and the choice to exchange second round picks with the Clippers in 2010.[7] On July 23, the Clippers also acquired guard Jason Hart from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Brevin Knight.[8] On July 28, the Clippers signed Ricky Davis to a one-year deal, with a player option for a second year.[9] They continued an active offseason signing (and one-time Clipper) Brian Skinner on July 31, and traded for Steve Novak on August 6 for future second-round pick considerations, in a deal similar to the Camby trade.

In August, the team signed guard Jason Williams to a one-year deal.[10] The Clippers re-signed Paul Davis. They signed three Davis' (Baron, Ricky, and Paul) in their "rebuilding offseason" in which they obtained key players such as Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, and Williams. However, just prior to the start of training camp, Williams announced his retirement in September.

In October, according to reports from various sources including the Los Angeles Times,[11][12] Orange County Register,[13] and the team's own web site (Clippers.com), Elgin Baylor ended his 22-year reign as Vice President and General Manager of basketball operations. It was one of the longest tenures in professional sports history. The Clippers indicated that Baylor had retired from his post,[14] and as a result, head coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr. assumed the role of General Manager, while director of player personnel Neil Oshley was promoted to assistant general manager.

In many of those reports, including a related article in the October 8 edition of the Times,[15] it was also indicated that Baylor had either been fired, resigned, or retired, depending on the source. According to similar reports, Baylor had been offered a different position in the organization, with the same salary, but with little to none decision-making power; Baylor refused. In fact, when pressed about his status with the franchise, Baylor had been advised by his attorneys not to say anything, indicating that the team and Baylor are in negotiations to work out a settlement agreement based on his departure. According to the above-mentioned article, Baylor had been working without a formal contract since the early 1990s.

On November 21, 2008, the Clippers and New York Knicks completed a trade, in which Los Angeles sent Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley to New York, in exchange for Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins.[16] With the trade of Mobley, only one member of their 2005–06 playoff team remained on the roster, Chris Kaman. In December, Mobley announced his retirement due to a heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy discovered during his physical; although he never played a game for the Knicks, they completed the trade anyway for salary cap reasons.

On January 6, 2009, the Clippers waived Fred Jones & Paul Davis to open a roster spot for Center from Senegal Cheikh Samb[17] (the Clippers have since re-signed Jones). The Clippers ended the 2008–09 season with another disappointing finish – 14th in the Western Conference – with a record of 19–63.[18]

Arrival of Blake Griffin (2009-2011)

On May 19, 2009 the Clippers were awarded the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and selected Blake Griffin. To open up a spot in the lineup for him, they traded Zach Randolph to Memphis for Quentin Richardson. Richardson was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith, and Mark Madsen.[19]

Griffin immediately impressed in training camp and preseason. On October 23, he broke his kneecap during the Clippers' final exhibition game, most likely after a dunk. Initially, the Clippers' stated that he only had a sore left knee, which would make him questionable for the season opener the following night, before they revealed the break. The injury sidelined Griffin for the entire season.[20]

On February 4, 2010, head coach Mike Dunleavy resigned, and Kim Hughes was named interim coach.[21] Dunleavy retained his front-office title and duties for just over a month, but on March 10 he was fired as General Manager, being replaced by Neil Olshey. Dunleavy received the news of his dismissal from the internet, as well as friends and reporters calling his cell phone.[22] The Los Angeles Times reported that Dunleavy has filed for arbitration and that the Clippers have cut off his salary, even though his guaranteed contract does not end until after the 2010–2011 season.[23] Although the Clippers saw minor improvement, they finished with ten more wins at 29–53, Hughes was fired as head coach at the end of the season.

In July, former Chicago Bulls coach, Vinny Del Negro was hired as the next head coach.[24] In August, the team introduced new uniform designs at a photo shoot, at the team's practice facility. Griffin and DeAndre Jordan modeled them, which were re-designed for the first time since the 2000–01 season.[25] The Clippers' primary and secondary logos, which are modifications of the previous ones, were introduced to the public weeks earlier, on the night of the 2010 NBA Draft.

With Eric Gordon, and Chris Kaman, an improved DeAndre Jordan, a re-energized Baron Davis, and the debut of No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, the Clippers had high hopes for the season. However, they started slowly, losing ten of the first eleven games with Davis and Kaman out with injuries. However, the Clippers showed strength when 3 of their first 4 wins came from the top teams in the Western Conference. Griffin got off to a strong start, drawing increased media attention in Clippers games and boosting ratings of local broadcasts of Clippers games.[26] Griffin was chosen as a Western Conference Reserve in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, a rare honor for a rookie; the first chosen by the coaches for the game since Tim Duncan in 1997. He also won the NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. As the trade deadline approached, the Clippers sent Baron Davis along with their 2011 first round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. The first pick they gave turned out to be first overall. With the pick they selected Kyrie Irving.

The "Lob City" Era (2011-present)

Blake Griffin
DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe

On December 9, 2011, the Clippers signed Mavericks forward Caron Butler to a $24 million deal and claimed veteran point guard Chauncey Billups from the New York Knicks three days later. Due to the lockout, New York used a amnesty clause to rid themselves of Billups, and the Clippers acquired him with a bid of $2,000,032, paying homage to Griffin in the process. On December 14, 2011 they traded guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota's 2012 first round pick acquired in 2005 for New Orleans Hornets' four-time all-star guard Chris Paul and two future 2nd round picks. Paul and Griffin were selected as starters for the Western Conference team in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, taking place at Orlando's Amway Center, the first time in franchise history to have 2 All-Star starters in the same year.

On February 3, 2012, the Clippers signed forward Kenyon Martin. An eleven-year NBA veteran and former NBA All-Star (2004), Martin joined the Clippers after signing with the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association the previous summer. On February 6, 2012 during a game against the Orlando Magic, Billups tore his achilles tendon and missed the remainder of the 2011–12 season. On March 15, 2012, guard Nick Young joined the Clippers as part of a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and the Denver Nuggets. He became the eighth player to debut in the 2011-2012 season.

After a stretch that saw the Clippers lose 12 of 19 games after Chauncey's season-ending achilles injury, with rumors of Vinny Del Negro's career as head coach of the Clippers possibly coming to an abrupt end, Los Angeles went on an absolute tear.[27] The Clippers won 12 of their next 14 games, including road wins over the defending champion Dallas Mavericks and the Western-Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, clinching only their fifth playoff birth since their 1976 conference semi-finals loss to the Boston Celtics (the last time they made the playoffs as the Buffalo Braves) before a dominating home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 16, 2012. It was their 3rd win in four regular season games against the Thunder. Chris Paul's push for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award was at its peak. The 2011-2012 NBA season will be the first the Clippers will be in the Playoffs since 2005-2006.

The team gained the nickname "Lob City" due to several alley-oop plays, usually from Paul to Griffin or Jordan.

In their first playoff game, the Clippers achieved one of the biggest comebacks in NBA Playoffs history, a 27 point lead the Grizzlies had held over them, to win their first playoff game of the season, 99-98. However, they lost to the Grizzlies in Game 2. The Clippers managed to beat the Grizzlies by one point to take Game 3. They then took game 4 in OT 101-97, to lead the series 3-1.

Season-by-season records

Main article: List of Los Angeles Clippers seasons

Home arenas

Coaches and players of note

Current roster

Los Angeles Clippers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 4 Bamba, Mo 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 231 lb (105 kg) 1998-05-12 Texas
F 33 Batum, Nicolas 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1988-12-14 France
F 21 Brown, Kobe 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 2000-01-01 Missouri
G 12 Christie, Cam (GL) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2005-07-24 Minnesota
G/F 7 Coffey, Amir 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1997-06-17 Minnesota
G 8 Dunn, Kris 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1994-03-18 Providence
G/F 9 Flowers, Trentyn (TW) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2005-03-08 Combine Academy (NC)
G 1 Harden, James 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1989-08-26 Arizona State
G 5 Hyland, Bones 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 2000-09-14 VCU
F 55 Jones, Derrick Jr. 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1997-02-15 UNLV
F/C 23 Jones, Kai (TW) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 2001-01-19 Texas
F 2 Leonard, Kawhi Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1991-06-29 San Diego State
G/F 14 Mann, Terance 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1996-10-18 Florida State
F 11 Miller, Jordan (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2000-01-23 Miami (FL)
G 77 Porter, Kevin Jr. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 2000-05-04 USC
G 24 Powell, Norman 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1993-05-25 UCLA
F 17 Tucker, P. J. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1985-05-05 Texas
C 40 Zubac, Ivica 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1997-03-18 Croatia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: December 27, 2024

International rights


C Greece Sofoklis Schortsanitis 2003 NBA Draft 34th pick

Basketball Hall of Famers

Only three players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame based significantly upon achievements while with the franchise:

  • Adrian Dantley, F, 1976–78 (Buffalo Braves)
  • 11 Bob McAdoo, C, 1973–77 (Buffalo Braves)
  • 32 Bill Walton, C, 1979–85 (1979–84 with San Diego Clippers, though he missed the overwhelming majority of games played during this time due to injuries)

One other Hall of Famer joined the franchise late in his career:

Three other Hall of Famers served the franchise in management positions:

McAdoo and Randy Smith (G, 1972–79, 1983–84) are also members of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Walton, a native of the San Diego area, is also a member of the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Individual awards

NBA MVP of the Year

NBA Rookie of the Year

NBA Most Improved Player

NBA Executive of the Year

All-NBA First Team

All-NBA Second Team

All-NBA Third Team

NBA Rookie First Team

NBA Rookie Second Team

NBA All-Star selections

Head coaches

Main article: List of Los Angeles Clippers head coaches

Commentators and broadcast outlets

Main article: List of Los Angeles Clippers broadcasters
  • Ralph Lawler (television and radio play-by-play)
  • Michael Smith (television and radio commentary)
  • Brian Sieman (radio play-by-play)
  • Larry Brown (radio commentary)
  • Michael Eaves (sideline reporter and pregame host for telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
  • Dain Blanton (sideline reporter for telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
  • Rebecca Haarlow (sideline reporter for home telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
  • Don MacLean (pregame and postgame analyst for telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
  • Cable television: Prime Ticket (selected games air on Fox Sports West)
  • Radio: KFWB (980 AM)

References

  1. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers All-Time Statistical Leaders". Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  2. ^ CLIPPERS: Training Center Press Conference Transcript
  3. ^ CLIPPERS: Livingston Injury Report
  4. ^ CLIPPERS: Shaun Livingston Injury Update
  5. ^ "Davis verbally agrees to go to Clippers, leave Warriors". ESPN. July 1, 2008.
  6. ^ CLIPPERS: Clippers Sign Eric Gordon
  7. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Acquire Marcus Camby". NBA. July 15, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  8. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Acquire Jason Hart From Utah Jazz". NBA. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  9. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Sign Free Agent Ricky Davis". NBA. July 28, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  10. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Sign Free Agent Guard Jason Williams". NBA. August 7, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  11. ^ Dillman, Lisa (October 8, 2008). "A power forward no longer –". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  12. ^ "Elgin Baylor retires as Clippers GM; Dunleavy takes over | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. October 7, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  13. ^ http://www.ocregister.com/articles/elgin-baylor-la-2183424-clippers-la
  14. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Add General Manager Role To Head Coach Mike Dunleavy's Duties". NBA. October 7, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  15. ^ Dillman, Lisa (October 9, 2008). "Baylor's attorney exploring options –". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  16. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Acquire Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins From Knicks". NBA. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  17. ^ Dillman, Lisa (January 6, 2009). "Clippers waive Fred Jones, Paul Davis; Cheikh Samb checks in –". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  18. ^ "2009–10 NBA Regular Season Divisional Standings – National Basketball Association – ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  19. ^ "CLIPPERS: Clippers Acquire Telfair, Smith and Madsen from Minnesota for Richardson". NBA. July 20, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  20. ^ "Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin has broken kneecap, out weeks – ESPN". ESPN. October 27, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  21. ^ "Dunleavy out as Clippers coach – ESPN". ESPN. February 5, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  22. ^ Dillman, Lisa (March 9, 2010). "Clippers fire Mike Dunleavy The team severs ties with the general manager, who had stepped down from coaching duties last month –". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  23. ^ Heisler, Mark (April 20, 2010). "Clippers have stopped paying Mike Dunleavy –". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  24. ^ Clippers to hire Del Negro – NBA – Yahoo! Sports
  25. ^ CLIPPERS: New Clippers Uniforms Unveiling – August 16, 2010
  26. ^ "Rookie Blake Griffin boosts interest in Clippers games – NBA – Sporting News". sportingnews.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  27. ^ Shelburne, Ramona. "Vinny Del Negro: I relished pressure". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 17, 2012.

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