Apr 8, 1978
Los Angeles Clippers logo LAC 107
New York Knicks logo NYK 118
Boxscore
Apr 9, 1978
Boston Celtics logo BOS 131
Los Angeles Clippers logo LAC 114
Boxscore

Los Angeles Clippers leaders

Season leaders

Swipe
Points
Rebounds
Assists

Los Angeles Clippers 1977-1978 stats

NBA

Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Randy Smith 1m91 29 24.6 1.9 3 82 27-55 21.5 - 85.1% 80% 0.4 1.9 3 0.6 1 0 1.4 24.6 0 40 9 13
Billy Knight 2m01 25 22.9 3.8 1.7 53 18-35 23 - 90.9% 80.9% 0.6 3.8 1.7 0.5 0.9 0.1 1.3 22.9 0 41 12 9
Swen Nater 2m11 27 15.5 7.2 1.6 78 26-52 19.9 - 90.6% 76.5% 1.3 7.2 1.6 0.2 1 0.2 1.8 15.5 0 35 26 6
John Shumate 2m05 25 12.4 4.7 2.1 18 9-9 21.6 - 77.3% 74.7% 1.2 4.7 2.1 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.8 12.4 0 26 14 6
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 11.9 2.3 0.6 37 11-26 12.2 - 92.3% 83.3% 0.6 2.3 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.1 1.4 11.9 0 31 8 5
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 11.8 3.8 1.1 48 15-33 14.5 - 76.4% 74.5% 0.7 3.8 1.1 0.3 0.6 0.3 2.4 11.8 0 27 15 6
William Averitt 1m88 25 9.5 0.6 1.5 34 10-24 8 - 105.7% 66.7% 0.1 0.6 1.5 0.1 0.5 0 1.1 9.5 0 24 4 7
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 7.9 0.9 0.8 56 16-40 9.3 - 105.4% 78.5% 0.1 0.9 0.8 0.1 0.3 0 0.8 7.9 0 25 6 6
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 7.3 1 2.4 73 25-48 15.7 - 84.9% 82% 0.1 1 2.4 0.2 0.9 0.1 1 7.3 0 22 7 11
Wil Jones 2m03 30 6.8 2.1 0.7 79 27-52 11.5 - 79.3% 70.6% 0.3 2.1 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.1 1.8 6.8 0 18 9 5
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 6.6 2 0.3 57 15-42 10.4 - 89.1% 77.1% 0.4 2 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 1.2 6.6 0 20 9 3
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 5.6 2.1 0.5 42 14-28 8 - 95.2% 85.7% 0.2 2.1 0.5 0 0.4 0.3 1.6 5.6 0 26 11 4
Ted McClain 1m86 31 5.2 0.9 1.8 41 15-26 9.8 - 79.4% 79.4% 0.1 0.9 1.8 0.2 0.6 0 1.2 5.2 0 17 4 9
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 4.3 1.2 0.8 10 4-6 7.5 - 45.7% 73.3% 0.5 1.2 0.8 0.1 0.6 0.2 1 4.3 0 13 5 3
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 4.2 0.5 0.8 13 5-8 6.6 - 56.3% 75% 0.1 0.5 0.8 0 0.4 0.2 0.3 4.2 0 16 4 5
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 3.2 0.8 0.3 56 15-41 4.8 - 101.5% 74.1% 0.2 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.7 3.2 0 10 7 3
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 2.6 1.3 0.6 8 1-7 7.4 - 47.4% 50% 0.3 1.3 0.6 0.1 0.1 0 0.8 2.6 0 8 6 2
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 1.2 0.8 1.4 5 2-3 7.4 - 25% - 0.2 0.8 1.4 1 0.6 0.4 0.4 1.2 0 6 2 4
Total 105.3 23.2 12.9 82 27-55 131.3 - 86.9% 78.1% 4.1 23.2 12.9 2.4 5.8 1.2 12.9 105.3 0
Opponents 109 25.4 14.3 82 - 133.8 - 88.1% 75.4% 4.7 25.4 14.3 2.8 5.6 1.3 13.2 109 0
Gap -3,7 -2,2 -1,4 0 - -2.5 0% -1,2% 2,7% -0,6 -2,2 -1,4 -0,4 0,2 -0,1 -0,3 -3,7 0
Average
height 199 cm
Average
age 26 years old
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 2P 3P FG FT Reb Ast Stl Blk Fo Pts Eff
Randy Smith 1m91 29 2021 158 245 82 27-55 1767 789/927 0/0 789/927 443/554 35 158 245 47 80 3 116 2021 -
Billy Knight 2m01 25 1215 201 89 53 18-35 1218 457/503 0/0 457/503 301/372 34 201 89 29 47 3 67 1215 -
Swen Nater 2m11 27 1210 563 123 78 26-52 1549 501/553 0/0 501/553 208/272 99 563 123 13 75 15 139 1210 -
John Shumate 2m05 25 224 85 37 18 9-9 388 75/97 0/0 75/97 74/99 22 85 37 4 17 5 32 224 -
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 442 86 24 37 11-26 450 156/169 0/0 156/169 130/156 21 86 24 7 16 3 53 442 -
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 566 182 53 48 15-33 695 226/296 0/0 226/296 114/153 33 182 53 15 28 16 114 566 -
William Averitt 1m88 25 322 20 50 34 10-24 272 129/122 0/0 129/122 64/96 4 20 50 3 16 1 36 322 -
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 441 49 47 56 16-40 520 195/185 0/0 195/185 51/65 5 49 47 8 14 1 44 441 -
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 530 73 174 73 25-48 1148 208/245 0/0 208/245 114/139 10 73 174 18 63 4 72 530 -
Wil Jones 2m03 30 536 166 55 79 27-52 907 226/285 0/0 226/285 84/119 20 166 55 17 41 11 140 536 -
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 376 116 18 57 15-42 592 156/175 0/0 156/175 64/83 24 116 18 10 20 13 67 376 -
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 236 90 22 42 14-28 334 100/105 0/0 100/105 36/42 7 90 22 2 17 13 66 236 -
Ted McClain 1m86 31 212 36 73 41 15-26 400 81/102 0/0 81/102 50/63 3 36 73 10 25 1 51 212 -
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 43 12 8 10 4-6 75 16/35 0/0 16/35 11/15 5 12 8 1 6 2 10 43 -
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 54 7 11 13 5-8 86 18/32 0/0 18/32 18/24 1 7 11 0 5 3 4 54 -
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 179 46 14 56 15-41 270 68/67 0/0 68/67 43/58 11 46 14 3 5 3 37 179 -
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 21 10 5 8 1-7 59 9/19 0/0 9/19 3/6 2 10 5 1 1 0 6 21 -
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 6 4 7 5 2-3 37 3/12 0/0 3/12 0/0 1 4 7 5 3 2 2 6 -
Total 8634 1904 1055 82 27-55 10767 3413/3929 - 3413/3929 1808/2316 337 1904 1055 193 479 99 1056 8634 -
Opponents 8941 2081 1176 82 - 10972 3623/4111 - 3623/4111 1695/2248 383 2081 1176 227 457 107 1079 8941 -
Gap -307 -177 -121 0 - -205 -210/-182 - -210/-182 113/68 -46 -177 -121 -34 22 -8 -23 -307 0
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Randy Smith 1m91 29 41.2 3.2 5 82 27-55 36 - 85.1% 80% 0.7 3.2 5 1 1.6 0.1 2.4 41.2 0 40 9 13
Billy Knight 2m01 25 35.9 5.9 2.6 53 18-35 36 - 90.9% 80.9% 1 5.9 2.6 0.9 1.4 0.1 2 35.9 0 41 12 9
Swen Nater 2m11 27 28.1 13.1 2.9 78 26-52 36 - 90.6% 76.5% 2.3 13.1 2.9 0.3 1.7 0.3 3.2 28.1 0 35 26 6
John Shumate 2m05 25 20.8 7.9 3.4 18 9-9 36 - 77.3% 74.7% 2 7.9 3.4 0.4 1.6 0.5 3 20.8 0 26 14 6
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 35.4 6.9 1.9 37 11-26 36 - 92.3% 83.3% 1.7 6.9 1.9 0.6 1.3 0.2 4.2 35.4 0 31 8 5
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 29.3 9.4 2.7 48 15-33 36 - 76.4% 74.5% 1.7 9.4 2.7 0.8 1.5 0.8 5.9 29.3 0 27 15 6
William Averitt 1m88 25 42.6 2.6 6.6 34 10-24 36 - 105.7% 66.7% 0.5 2.6 6.6 0.4 2.1 0.1 4.8 42.6 0 24 4 7
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 30.5 3.4 3.3 56 16-40 36 - 105.4% 78.5% 0.3 3.4 3.3 0.6 1 0.1 3 30.5 0 25 6 6
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 16.6 2.3 5.5 73 25-48 36 - 84.9% 82% 0.3 2.3 5.5 0.6 2 0.1 2.3 16.6 0 22 7 11
Wil Jones 2m03 30 21.3 6.6 2.2 79 27-52 36 - 79.3% 70.6% 0.8 6.6 2.2 0.7 1.6 0.4 5.6 21.3 0 18 9 5
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 22.9 7.1 1.1 57 15-42 36 - 89.1% 77.1% 1.5 7.1 1.1 0.6 1.2 0.8 4.1 22.9 0 20 9 3
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 25.4 9.7 2.4 42 14-28 36 - 95.2% 85.7% 0.8 9.7 2.4 0.2 1.8 1.4 7.1 25.4 0 26 11 4
Ted McClain 1m86 31 19.1 3.2 6.6 41 15-26 36 - 79.4% 79.4% 0.3 3.2 6.6 0.9 2.3 0.1 4.6 19.1 0 17 4 9
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 20.6 5.8 3.8 10 4-6 36 - 45.7% 73.3% 2.4 5.8 3.8 0.5 2.9 1 4.8 20.6 0 13 5 3
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 22.6 2.9 4.6 13 5-8 36 - 56.3% 75% 0.4 2.9 4.6 0 2.1 1.3 1.7 22.6 0 16 4 5
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 23.9 6.1 1.9 56 15-41 36 - 101.5% 74.1% 1.5 6.1 1.9 0.4 0.7 0.4 4.9 23.9 0 10 7 3
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 12.8 6.1 3.1 8 1-7 36 - 47.4% 50% 1.2 6.1 3.1 0.6 0.6 0 3.7 12.8 0 8 6 2
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 5.8 3.9 6.8 5 2-3 36 - 25% - 1 3.9 6.8 4.9 2.9 1.9 1.9 5.8 0 6 2 4
Total 28.9 6.4 3.5 82 27-55 36 0% 86.9% 78.1% 1.1 6.4 3.5 0.6 1.6 0.3 3.5 28.9 0
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Randy Smith 1m91 29 45.7 3.6 5.5 82 27-55 40 - 85.1% 80% 0.8 3.6 5.5 1.1 1.8 0.1 2.6 45.7 0 40 9 13
Billy Knight 2m01 25 39.9 6.6 2.9 53 18-35 40 - 90.9% 80.9% 1.1 6.6 2.9 1 1.5 0.1 2.2 39.9 0 41 12 9
Swen Nater 2m11 27 31.2 14.5 3.2 78 26-52 40 - 90.6% 76.5% 2.6 14.5 3.2 0.3 1.9 0.4 3.6 31.2 0 35 26 6
John Shumate 2m05 25 23.1 8.8 3.8 18 9-9 40 - 77.3% 74.7% 2.3 8.8 3.8 0.4 1.8 0.5 3.3 23.1 0 26 14 6
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 39.3 7.6 2.1 37 11-26 40 - 92.3% 83.3% 1.9 7.6 2.1 0.6 1.4 0.3 4.7 39.3 0 31 8 5
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 32.6 10.5 3.1 48 15-33 40 - 76.4% 74.5% 1.9 10.5 3.1 0.9 1.6 0.9 6.6 32.6 0 27 15 6
William Averitt 1m88 25 47.4 2.9 7.4 34 10-24 40 - 105.7% 66.7% 0.6 2.9 7.4 0.4 2.4 0.1 5.3 47.4 0 24 4 7
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 33.9 3.8 3.6 56 16-40 40 - 105.4% 78.5% 0.4 3.8 3.6 0.6 1.1 0.1 3.4 33.9 0 25 6 6
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 18.5 2.5 6.1 73 25-48 40 - 84.9% 82% 0.3 2.5 6.1 0.6 2.2 0.1 2.5 18.5 0 22 7 11
Wil Jones 2m03 30 23.6 7.3 2.4 79 27-52 40 - 79.3% 70.6% 0.9 7.3 2.4 0.7 1.8 0.5 6.2 23.6 0 18 9 5
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 25.4 7.8 1.2 57 15-42 40 - 89.1% 77.1% 1.6 7.8 1.2 0.7 1.4 0.9 4.5 25.4 0 20 9 3
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 28.3 10.8 2.6 42 14-28 40 - 95.2% 85.7% 0.8 10.8 2.6 0.2 2 1.6 7.9 28.3 0 26 11 4
Ted McClain 1m86 31 21.2 3.6 7.3 41 15-26 40 - 79.4% 79.4% 0.3 3.6 7.3 1 2.5 0.1 5.1 21.2 0 17 4 9
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 22.9 6.4 4.3 10 4-6 40 - 45.7% 73.3% 2.7 6.4 4.3 0.5 3.2 1.1 5.3 22.9 0 13 5 3
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 25.1 3.3 5.1 13 5-8 40 - 56.3% 75% 0.5 3.3 5.1 0 2.3 1.4 1.9 25.1 0 16 4 5
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 26.5 6.8 2.1 56 15-41 40 - 101.5% 74.1% 1.6 6.8 2.1 0.4 0.7 0.4 5.5 26.5 0 10 7 3
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 14.2 6.8 3.4 8 1-7 40 - 47.4% 50% 1.4 6.8 3.4 0.7 0.7 0 4.1 14.2 0 8 6 2
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 6.5 4.3 7.6 5 2-3 40 - 25% - 1.1 4.3 7.6 5.4 3.2 2.2 2.2 6.5 0 6 2 4
Total 32.1 7.1 3.9 82 27-55 40 0% 86.9% 78.1% 1.3 7.1 3.9 0.7 1.8 0.4 3.9 32.1 0
Player Height Age USG% PACE PIE PER GMSCR AST% TO% AST/TO OREB% DREB% REB%
Randy Smith 1m91 29 28.1% 15,3 11,0 50,3 23,1 16% 6% 13.2 13% 44% 57%
Billy Knight 2m01 25 23.2% 13,5 7,0 45,2 22,0 11% 7% 5.9 11% 56% 68%
Swen Nater 2m11 27 19.2% 9,6 8,0 38,3 16,6 14% 10% 6.4 39% 181% 220%
John Shumate 2m05 25 16.1% 8,8 1,0 27,2 13,3 19% 11% 12.7 8% 23% 31%
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 22.4% 6,9 2,0 44,0 11,9 9% 6% 3.2 13% 41% 55%
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 22.3% 8,2 3,0 35,3 12,1 12% 7% 6.4 18% 80% 97%
William Averitt 1m88 25 26.3% 5,3 2,0 53,5 9,4 22% 9% 18.9 4% 16% 19%
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 17.4% 4,1 3,0 39,8 8,0 17% 6% 14.5 4% 37% 41%
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 12.8% 5,1 3,0 21,9 7,8 32% 17% 30.1 5% 31% 36%
Wil Jones 2m03 30 16.6% 4,8 3,0 24,2 7,0 13% 11% 3.7 14% 99% 112%
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 15.5% 4,1 2,0 28,7 6,9 7% 9% -0.9 18% 69% 87%
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 16.7% 3,3 1,0 32,3 6,3 14% 12% 3.6 7% 81% 88%
Ted McClain 1m86 31 15.3% 3,8 1,0 24,3 5,8 32% 16% 31 2% 26% 29%
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 25.2% 4,8 0 17,0 3,5 14% 13% 4.2 5% 7% 12%
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 21.9% 3,7 0 23,4 3,5 19% 11% 12.6 1% 7% 8%
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 14.3% 1,7 1,0 31,1 3,5 13% 5% 9.2 18% 56% 74%
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 15.2% 2,8 0 12,3 2,5 18% 4% 17.7 2% 8% 11%
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 16.1% 3,0 0 10,4 1,9 32% 20% 26.7 1% 3% 4%
Player Height Age eFG% TS% 3PAr FTr %FGA/2PTm %FGA/3PTm %FGA/FTm %PTS/2PTm %PTS/3PTm %PTS/FTm PTS/2PTm PTS/3PTm
Randy Smith 1m91 29 109,0% 86,3% 0% 59,8% 62,6% 0% 37,4% 78,1% 0% 21,9% 1.7 0
Billy Knight 2m01 25 120,8% 91,1% 0% 74,0% 57,5% 0% 42,5% 75,2% 0% 24,8% 1.82 0
Swen Nater 2m11 27 109,4% 89,9% 0% 49,2% 67,0% 0% 33,0% 82,8% 0% 17,2% 1.81 0
John Shumate 2m05 25 115,5% 79,7% 0% 102,1% 49,5% 0% 50,5% 67,0% 0% 33,0% 1.55 0
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 130,8% 93,0% 0% 92,3% 52,0% 0% 48,0% 70,6% 0% 29,4% 1.85 0
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 95,6% 77,9% 0% 51,7% 65,9% 0% 34,1% 79,9% 0% 20,1% 1.53 0
William Averitt 1m88 25 132,0% 98,0% 0% 78,7% 56,0% 0% 44,0% 80,1% 0% 19,9% 2.11 0
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 119,2% 103,2% 0% 35,1% 74,0% 0% 26,0% 88,4% 0% 11,6% 2.11 0
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 108,2% 86,6% 0% 56,7% 63,8% 0% 36,2% 78,5% 0% 21,5% 1.7 0
Wil Jones 2m03 30 94,0% 79,4% 0% 41,8% 70,5% 0% 29,5% 84,3% 0% 15,7% 1.59 0
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 107,4% 88,9% 0% 47,4% 67,8% 0% 32,2% 83,0% 0% 17,0% 1.78 0
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 112,4% 95,6% 0% 40,0% 71,4% 0% 28,6% 84,7% 0% 15,3% 1.9 0
Ted McClain 1m86 31 103,9% 81,7% 0% 61,8% 61,8% 0% 38,2% 76,4% 0% 23,6% 1.59 0
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 61,4% 51,7% 0% 42,9% 70,0% 0% 30,0% 74,4% 0% 25,6% 0.91 0
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 84,4% 63,4% 0% 75,0% 57,1% 0% 42,9% 66,7% 0% 33,3% 1.13 0
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 133,6% 96,7% 0% 86,6% 53,6% 0% 46,4% 76,0% 0% 24,0% 2.03 0
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 55,3% 48,5% 0% 31,6% 76,0% 0% 24,0% 85,7% 0% 14,3% 0.95 0
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 25,0% 25,0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 0.5 0
Player Height Age %MIN %PTS %FGM %FGA %2PM %2PA %3PM %3PA %FTM %FTA %OREB %DREB %REB %AST %TOV %STL %BLK %BLKA %PF %PFD %+/- %EFF
Randy Smith 1m91 29 54% 23% 23% 24% 23% 24% 0% 0% 25% 24% 10% 8% 8% 23% 17% 24% 3% - 11% - - 0%
Billy Knight 2m01 25 57% 22% 21% 20% 21% 20% 0% 0% 26% 25% 16% 16% 16% 13% 15% 23% 5% - 10% - - 0%
Swen Nater 2m11 27 50% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 0% 0% 12% 12% 31% 31% 31% 12% 16% 7% 16% - 14% - - 0%
John Shumate 2m05 25 54% 12% 10% 11% 10% 11% 0% 0% 19% 19% 30% 18% 20% 16% 16% 9% 23% - 14% - - 0%
Larry McNeill 2m05 26 30% 11% 10% 10% 10% 10% 0% 0% 16% 15% 14% 9% 10% 5% 7% 8% 7% - 11% - - 0%
Marvin Barnes 2m03 25 36% 11% 11% 13% 11% 13% 0% 0% 11% 11% 17% 16% 16% 9% 10% 13% 28% - 18% - - 0%
William Averitt 1m88 25 20% 9% 9% 7% 9% 7% 0% 0% 9% 10% 3% 2% 3% 11% 8% 4% 2% - 8% - - 0%
Mike Glenn 1m89 22 23% 7% 8% 7% 8% 7% 0% 0% 4% 4% 2% 4% 4% 7% 4% 6% 1% - 6% - - 0%
Chuck Williams 1m89 31 39% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 0% 0% 7% 7% 3% 5% 4% 19% 15% 10% 5% - 8% - - 0%
Wil Jones 2m03 30 29% 6% 7% 8% 7% 8% 0% 0% 5% 5% 6% 10% 9% 5% 9% 9% 12% - 14% - - 0%
Bill Willoughby 2m03 20 26% 6% 7% 6% 7% 6% 0% 0% 5% 5% 10% 8% 9% 2% 6% 7% 19% - 9% - - 0%
Jim McDaniels 2m11 29 20% 5% 6% 5% 6% 5% 0% 0% 4% 4% 4% 10% 9% 4% 7% 2% 26% - 12% - - 0%
Ted McClain 1m86 31 24% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 0% 0% 6% 5% 2% 4% 4% 14% 10% 10% 2% - 10% - - 0%
Gus Gerard 2m03 24 19% 4% 4% 7% 4% 7% 0% 0% 5% 5% 12% 4% 5% 6% 10% 4% 17% - 8% - - 0%
Gary Brokaw 1m93 23 17% 4% 3% 5% 3% 5% 0% 0% 6% 7% 2% 2% 2% 7% 7% 0% 19% - 2% - - 0%
Scott Lloyd 2m10 25 12% 3% 3% 2% 3% 2% 0% 0% 3% 4% 5% 3% 4% 2% 2% 2% 4% - 5% - - 0%
Eddie Owens 2m01 24 18% 2% 3% 5% 3% 5% 0% 0% 2% 3% 6% 5% 5% 5% 2% 5% 0% - 6% - - 0%
Larry Johnson 1m92 23 19% 1% 1% 5% 1% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 3% 3% 11% 10% 42% 33% - 3% - - 0%

Los Angeles Clippers History

Living in the shadow of the world-famous Los Angeles Lakers is a tough assignment. An impossible one some might say. Of course, the numbers are cruel and the Clippers have never won a championship in their history and have been regarded as one of the worst teams of all time. Yet, the reputation has changed since 2010 and new owner Steve Ballmer has its eyes set on becoming a champion.

So far away from L.A.

The story of the Clippers started very far away from California. The Buffalo Braves, in the state of New York, were one of the three expansion teams that started playing in 1970, along with the Portland Trailblazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. The team lost 60, 60 and 61 games in its first three seasons, despite welcoming North Carolina star Bob MacAdoo in 1972. In fact, MacAdoo was so frustrated by the losses that he later commented that his wife could have outrun his teammates. Things got better quickly as the Braves, coached by Jack Ramsay, enjoyed three consecutive playoffs campaigns, relying on the spectacular play of MacAdoo. The power forward/center with an almost unblockable turnaround jumpshot led the NBA in scoring each of these years and was named MVP in 1975.

But the turnaround did not last long. The Braves shared their arena with the basketball team from Canisius College. Scheduling home games proved to be a complicated task. Owner Paul Snyder grew tired of the situation and sold the team to John Y. Brown who made a bold business move by trading away his stars, including MacAdoo, and swapped franchise ownership with Celtics’ owner Irv Levin in 1978. Levin was a film producer who had every intention to move the team to its native California.

A move to California

The Braves relocated to San Diego that year and a naming contest ultimately decided on "Clippers" as a new name, in reference to the city being known for the great sailing ships that passed through San Diego Bay. The move was a success as the Clippers won 43 games during their first season in the West behind the stellar play of guard World B. Free, who finished second in the League in scoring with 28.9 points per game. Lloyd Bernard Free had earned his nickname from his high school days in Brooklyn because of his incredible leaping abilities. He became a fan favorite and was joined the following season by center Bill Walton, a former NBA champion and MVP. A spectacular addition that delivered little results. In his first season with San Diego, Walton played 14 games for the Clippers before fracturing the navicular bone in his left foot, therefore missing all of the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons. The local hero who played college ball at UCLA fought through extensive rehabilitation to eventually return to the court. He played three seasons with the Clippers who never finished near .500 or made the playoffs in his tenure.

In 1984, two years after buying the franchise, real estate mogul Donald Sterling moved the Clippers to Los Angeles without the NBA approval. The League fined Sterling 25 million dollars and filed a lawsuit demanding the franchise to be returned to San Diego, threatening to dissolve the team. The two sides reached an agreement and the Clippers began playing in L.A. racking up losses with remarkable continuity.

Anything but joining the Clippers

Its star players kept falling down to injuries: Derek Smith, Norm Nixon, Marques Johnson or Danny Manning. The Clippers lost 70, 65 and 61 games between 1986 and 1989. The franchise’s reputation was so awful that Danny Ferry, the first pick of the draft out of Duke, chose to sign in Italy, with Messagero Roma, in order to avoid signing a contract in Los Angeles. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Ron Harper.

With Harper, forwards Ken Norman and Charles Smith, as well as the arrival of head coach Larry Brown, the Clippers found respectability. In 1992, 16 years after their last appearance they returned to the playoffs and pushed the Utah Jazz to a fifth and deciding game in the first round. They repeated the achievement a year later, this time losing in five games to the Houston Rockets.

Former number one draft pick Danny Manning led the charge. NCAA champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player with Kansas in 1988, his NBA debut was derailed by a knee injury. But patiently, Manning came back into shape averaging 22.8 points per game in 1992-93, making the All-Star Game and 23.7 points per game through the first 42 games of the 1993-94 season. That is when the Clippers traded Manning to the Atlanta Hawks for Dominique Wilkins. The trade was a disappointment for both sides as the Hawks, conference leader at that time, lost in the conference semifinals. The Clippers only won 27 games overall and Wilkins left for the Boston Celtics after a few months.

Another dark period started for the Clippers who went through 12 consecutive losing seasons. The team failed to build an identity and became synonymous with terrible draft choices, highlighted by the selection of center Michael Olowokandi with the first pick in 1998.

Young and spectacular

Their fortune changed in the early 2000. Results remained modest but the Clippers found a new popularity by putting together a young and spectacular squad and moving to Staples Center, sharing the building with the Lakers. Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles, and Lamar Odom never made it to the playoffs but they brought a breath of fresh air to the franchise. Odom was the prototype of a new brand of basketball. A 6-10 athlete able to play any position on the court, including point-guard. But despite adding substantial firepower with Elton Brand and Andre Miller, the Clippers could not reach the postseason because of poor team chemistry and injuries.

The 2005–06 season was a turning point for the team's image and the front office strategy. The team chose to rely on veterans welcoming former NBA champion Sam Cassell. With Brand, Corey Maggette or Cuttino Mobley, they showed significant improvement, achieving 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 and secured home-court advantage over the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers made it to the second round and pushed the Phoenix Suns to seven games. General Manager Elgin Baylor won the NBA Executive of the Year that season.

Lob city

This run had no tomorrow and the Clippers returned to the bottom of the standings. In December of 2011 a trade changed their fate. Chris Paul arrived from the New Orleans Hornets and proved to be the perfect complement to the first pick of the draft Blake Griffin and young center DeAndre Jordan. The team gained the nickname Lob City as one spectacular dunk followed an incredible alley-oop. Griffin quickly became an All-Star and managed to expand his game not only relying on his amazing athleticism.

Despite winning 56 games during the 2012/13 season, the Clippers did not renew the contract of coach Vinny Del Negro and hired Doc Rivers. He led the team to 57 wins and the second round of the playoffs, losing to the Thunder. Yet the summer was marked by controversy from owner Donald Sterling. Already accused of racist behavior in the past, Sterling was taped making derogatory remarks to his wife. The incident caused a public backlash and the NBA issued Sterling a lifetime ban and Steve Ballmer a former CEO of Microsoft bought the franchise for 2 billion dollars! During his first season at the helm, the Clippers once again won 56 games, eliminated the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, winning the series in the seventh game on a game-winning shot by Paul with one second left. In the next series against the second-seeded Houston Rockets, they took a 3–1 series lead only to lose the next three games.

The Clippers’ new owner’s ambition is clearly to bring a championship to Los Angeles. He plans on building a new arena for his team and quickly hired Jerry West as a special consultant. When the Lob City era ended, a rebuilding period was expected to start. But the Clippers quickly rebounded. In the summer of 2019, they showed their new power of attraction by signing free-agent Kawhi Leonard. A few days later they acquired Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder, assembling one of the best one-two punch in the League.