History of the Los Angeles Clippers
Script error: No such module "AfC submission catcheck".
Buffalo Braves[edit]
The Braves were one of three NBA expansion franchises that began play in the 1970–71 season (the others being the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers). It was originally owned by Neuberger Loeb, a New York City investment firm that had few ties to Buffalo. However, a series of missteps resulted in the league taking control of the team before it even played a preseason game.
1970-72: First years in Buffalo[edit]
On October 14, 1970 the Buffalo Braves playing their first game ever against the one of the news NBA teams the Cleveland Cavaliers the Braves won first game 107-92 after nine games losing straight the won the second game on November 7, 1970 when they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.
1972-76: Bob McAdoo era[edit]
In 1972 NBA draft the Braves selected Bob McAdoo with second pick out of University of North Carolina. McAdoo was behind LaRue Martin who became the worst first overall picks in NBA history.
1976-78: Final years in Buffalo[edit]
In midseason the Braves
Moving to San Diego[edit]
In 1978, San Diego welcomed the relocation of the Buffalo Braves franchise, as the city's previous NBA franchise, the San Diego Rockets, had relocated to Houston seven years earlier in 1971. Another failed basketball franchise in the city had been the San Diego Conquistadors. San Diego team officials did not think "Braves" was a proper representative nickname for the club in San Diego, and a local naming contest ultimately decided on "Clippers", in reference to the city being known for the great sailing ships that passed through San Diego Bay. The first head coach of the Clippers was chosen to be Gene Shue, a respected tactician.
1978-84: Early years in San Diego[edit]
On October 13, 1978 the San Diego Clippers open their first game against the Phoenix Suns 114-128 loss then they lost to the Golden State Warriors the next game then on Sunday the 15th the Clippers playing their first game in San Diego in home against the Denver Nuggets 94-98 loss then 2 days Later the San Diego Clippers win their first game ever against the Chicago Bulls as additions of World B. Free, Sidney Wicks, Kermit Washington, Nick Weatherspoon, Brian Taylor and Kevin Kunnert who previously played for the Buffalo Braves in the 1973-74 season and they finished the record of 43-39 in their first in San Diego.
In 1979 the Clippers signed traded for Bill Walton from the Portland Trail Blazers exchange For Kermit Washington and Kevin Kunnert and acquire Joe Bryant and Bingo Smith who played for the Rockets back when play in San Diego and they finished 1979-80 season with record of 35-47.
Before 1980-81 season Gene Shue was fired after an 11-game losing streak. In offseason the Clippers traded World B. Free to the Golden State Warriors for Phil Smith then Bingo Smith was selected by the new NBA team Dallas Mavericks then they drafted Michael Brooks out of La Salle University with the 7th pick in 1980 NBA Draft and a new head coach Paul Silas.
In 1981 NBA Draft the Clippers selected Tom Chambers out of University of Utah with 7th pick.
1984-88: First years in Los Angeles[edit]
In 1984, despite the pending lawsuits between franchise ownership and the NBA following the move, the Clippers began play at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
On November 1, 1984 the Clippers playing their first game in Los Angeles against the New York Knicks and they win up by 2 point.
On June 22, 1987 the Clippers selected three first round draft picks include Reggie Williams of Georgetown, Joe Wolf of North Carolina and Ken Norman of Illinois.
1988-93: Danny Manning era[edit]
On June 23 1988 the Los Angeles Clippers selected Danny Manning with the one pick in 1988 NBA draft.
1993-2001: Rebuilding[edit]
In 1998 the Clippers won number one pick in ten years and they drafted Michael Olowokandi out of University of the Pacific and they hired Chris Ford as their new head coach. The Clippers still struggled in a lockout-shortened season cut to 50 games under new head coach Chris Ford, losing their first 17 games of the season, tying the 1988–89 Miami Heat for the then-worst start in NBA history. The team lost 30 of their first 33 games, then lost their final six games, finishing last place in the Pacific Division with a 9–41 record
In 1999 NBA draft the Clippers selected Lamar Odom with fourth pick and acquired Derek Anderson. In beginning 1999-2000 season the Clippers started with a record of 4–7, the Clippers continued to struggle losing nine consecutive games, then lose ten straight games in January, and posted a 13-game losing streak in February. Head coach Chris Ford was fired after an 11–38 start, and was replaced with interim Jim Todd. At midseason, the team signed free agent Jeff McInnis, then released Troy Hudson to free agency in March. The Clippers then suffered a 17-game losing streak in the final two months of the season, finishing last place in the Pacific Division with a league worst record of 15–67
On June 28, 2000 the Clippers selected High School basketball star Darius Miles with the third pick and they selected Quentin Richardson out of DePaul University with the eighteen and they acquired top pick Keyon Dooling, second year Corey Maggette, Derek Strong and Sean Rooks. In offseason the Clippers hired Alvin Gentry as their new Head Coach.
2001-08: Elton Brand era[edit]
On June 27, 2001 the Clippers acquired third year-pro Elton Brand from the Chicago Bulls exchange for draft rights for Tyson Chandler. In beginning of 2001-02 season the Clippers played their best basketball with a 15–11 start as of December 22. The team began to slip under .500, but still played competitive basketball through most of the first half holding a 25–26 record at the All-Star break, despite Lamar Odom playing just 29 games due to a wrist injury, and second-year guard Keyon Dooling playing just 14 games due to an ankle injury. However, after holding a 36–33 record in mid March, the Clippers struggled and lost 10 of their final 13 games. They failed to make the playoffs finishing fifth in the Pacific Division with a 39–43 record, which was ninth place in the Western Conference.
In offseason 2002 the Clippers traded Darius Mills to the Cleveland Cavaliers exchange for Andre Miller and they drafted Chris Wilcox and Melvin Ely. After a 12–16 start to the 2002-03 season, the Clippers lost six straight games, then posted an eight-game losing streak between February and March. Head coach Alvin Gentry was fired after a 19–39 start, and was replaced with former Boston Celtics legend Dennis Johnson. With players like Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Lamar Odom, Michael Olowokandi, and Quentin Richardson all missing large parts of the season due to injuries, the team fell apart and sank back to the bottom of the Pacific Division with a 27–55 record.
In offseason the Clippers hired Mike Dunleavy as a new head Coach. In the 2003 NBA Draft the Clippers selected Chris Kaman out of Central Michigan University with 6th pick.
2008-09: Struggle[edit]
2009-17: Blake Griffin and Chris Paul era[edit]
In 2009 the Clippers selected Blake Griffin with first pick in 2009 NBA Draft but he went down with a knee injury in preseason. In beginning of 2009-10 season the Clippers started with a record 0-4 in October. In midseason Mike Dunleavy stepped down as head coach and He retained his position as general manager, with Kim Hughes, who had worked as Dunleavy's assistant for seven seasons, becoming interim head coach for the remainder of the 2009–10 season. On March 9, 2010, the Clippers fired Dunleavy as general manager.
On July 6, 2010 the Clippers hired former Chicago Bull coach Vinny Del Negro as new a head coach.
On December 15, 2011 the Clippers acquire Chris Paul from New Orleans Hornets exchange For Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and 2012 first-round draft pick.
2017-19: Playoffs first round lost[edit]
2019-present: Paul George and Kawhi Leonard Era[edit]
References[edit]
| |
| Franchise | |
| Arenas | |
| Personnel |
|
| G League affiliate | |
| Rivalries | |
| Culture and lore | |
This article "History of the Los Angeles Clippers" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:History of the Los Angeles Clippers. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
