Mar 28, 1980
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL 126
Los Angeles Clippers logo LAC 88
Boxscore
Mar 30, 1980
Phoenix Suns logo PHX 122
Los Angeles Clippers logo LAC 104
Boxscore

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Los Angeles Clippers 1979-1980 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
World b. Free 1m91 26 30.2 3.3 4 68 31-37 35.7 39.1% 50.4% 75.3% 0.9 3.3 4 0.8 2.9 0.4 2.6 30.2 22.4 49 8 9
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 18.6 2.2 1.9 82 35-47 24.2 36% 52.1% 81.5% 0.5 2.2 1.9 0.6 1.6 0.1 1.6 18.6 14 51 8 7
Bill Walton 2m12 27 13.9 9 2.4 14 6-8 24.1 - 50.3% 59.3% 1.6 9 2.4 0.5 2.2 2.6 2.6 13.9 18.9 23 15 6
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 13.5 2.3 4.1 78 34-44 33.3 37.4% 47.1% 80.2% 0.4 2.3 4.1 1.3 1.5 0.3 3 13.5 13.7 28 8 9
Swen Nater 2m11 29 13.4 14 2.7 81 34-47 33 0% 58.8% 71.8% 2.3 14 2.7 0.3 2.5 0.4 3 13.4 23.5 35 32 10
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 11.7 3.3 1.3 70 30-40 26.9 29.2% 45.2% 86.9% 0.5 3.3 1.3 0.7 0.8 0.2 2.4 11.7 10.1 23 10 5
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 9.3 5.8 1.7 81 34-47 27 16.7% 45.3% 74.2% 1 5.8 1.7 0.9 1.7 0.4 3 9.3 11.4 23 14 7
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 7.1 5.3 2.8 71 30-41 28.4 0% 46.1% 54.6% 1 5.3 2.8 0.8 2 0.6 3.2 7.1 10.2 17 17 10
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 6.9 3.5 0.9 57 22-35 18.9 - 46.2% 67% 0.6 3.5 0.9 0.4 1.1 0.2 2.2 6.9 6.9 23 10 5
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 4.6 0.8 1.8 50 17-33 11.1 19.2% 50.9% 80.4% 0.2 0.8 1.8 0.4 0.9 0.1 1 4.6 4.8 20 5 8
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 3.6 1.2 0.3 10 3-7 12.9 0% 40.5% 75% 0.3 1.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0 1.7 3.6 2.6 9 3 1
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 3.3 3.8 0.3 18 5-13 12.1 - 62.8% 27.8% 0.9 3.8 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.7 3.3 5.8 11 13 1
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 3.2 4.1 0.9 20 6-14 13.6 - 43.6% 50% 0.7 4.1 0.9 0.3 0.9 0.6 2.4 3.2 5.8 8 11 4
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 1.9 1.9 0.5 28 14-14 9.5 - 54.8% 77.8% 0.3 1.9 0.5 0.1 0.5 0 1.1 1.9 3.2 6 10 4
John Olive 2m01 24 0 1 0 1 0-1 15 - 0% - 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 -3 0 1 0
Total 107.6 41.1 19.5 82 35-47 227.3 33.1% 49.6% 73.5% 7.6 41.1 19.5 5.9 14.3 2.9 21.5 107.6 112.4
Opponents 111.7 42.1 23.1 82 - 226.7 22.8% 53.2% 77.3% 7.2 42.1 23.1 7.2 13.9 3.9 21.2 111.7 128.2
Gap -4,1 -1,0 -3,6 0 - 0.6 10,3% -3,6% -3,8% 0,4 -1,0 -3,6 -1,3 0,4 -1,0 0,3 -4,1 -15,8
Average
height 202 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
World b. Free 1m91 26 2055 221 274 68 31-37 2429 728/1440 9/23 737/1463 572/760 61 221 274 55 194 25 176 2055 1522
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 1526 178 154 82 35-47 1986 603/1124 40/111 643/1235 194/238 43 178 154 53 135 7 135 1526 1147
Bill Walton 2m12 27 194 126 34 14 6-8 337 81/161 0/0 81/161 32/54 22 126 34 7 31 37 37 194 265
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 1056 176 317 78 34-44 2601 328/656 74/198 402/854 130/162 32 176 317 100 120 21 232 1056 1066
Swen Nater 2m11 29 1082 1137 218 81 34-47 2677 443/751 0/2 443/753 196/273 184 1137 218 27 205 30 241 1082 1902
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 819 233 88 70 30-40 1880 330/704 21/72 351/776 93/107 37 233 88 49 58 14 171 819 706
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 754 470 135 81 34-47 2186 289/619 5/30 294/649 161/217 81 470 135 76 134 30 245 754 920
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 503 379 201 71 30-41 2013 210/455 0/1 210/456 83/152 72 379 201 58 142 43 226 503 727
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 391 199 51 57 22-35 1075 164/355 0/0 164/355 63/94 37 199 51 24 63 12 124 391 392
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 228 40 88 50 17-33 555 82/145 5/26 87/171 37/46 12 40 88 20 47 4 49 228 240
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 36 12 3 10 3-7 129 15/35 0/2 15/37 6/8 3 12 3 3 4 0 17 36 26
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 59 68 6 18 5-13 218 27/43 0/0 27/43 5/18 17 68 6 1 6 6 30 59 105
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 64 81 17 20 6-14 272 24/55 0/0 24/55 16/32 13 81 17 6 17 11 47 64 115
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 53 53 14 28 14-14 265 23/42 0/0 23/42 7/9 8 53 14 4 15 1 32 53 89
John Olive 2m01 24 0 1 0 1 0-1 15 0/2 0/0 0/2 - 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 -3
Total 8820 3374 1600 82 35-47 18638 3347/6587 154/465 3501/7052 1595/2170 622 3374 1600 483 1173 241 1764 8820 9219
Opponents 9160 3453 1898 82 - 18587 3709/6877 39/171 3748/7048 1613/2086 592 3453 1898 592 1138 320 1738 9160 10512
Gap -340 -79 -298 0 - 51 -362/-290 115/294 -247/4 -18/84 30 -79 -298 -109 35 -79 26 -340 -1293
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
World b. Free 1m91 26 30.5 3.3 4.1 68 31-37 36 39.1% 50.4% 75.3% 0.9 3.3 4.1 0.8 2.9 0.4 2.6 30.5 22.6 49 8 9
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 27.7 3.2 2.8 82 35-47 36 36% 52.1% 81.5% 0.8 3.2 2.8 1 2.4 0.1 2.4 27.7 20.8 51 8 7
Bill Walton 2m12 27 20.7 13.5 3.6 14 6-8 36 - 50.3% 59.3% 2.4 13.5 3.6 0.7 3.3 4 4 20.7 28.3 23 15 6
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 14.6 2.4 4.4 78 34-44 36 37.4% 47.1% 80.2% 0.4 2.4 4.4 1.4 1.7 0.3 3.2 14.6 14.8 28 8 9
Swen Nater 2m11 29 14.6 15.3 2.9 81 34-47 36 0% 58.8% 71.8% 2.5 15.3 2.9 0.4 2.8 0.4 3.2 14.6 25.6 35 32 10
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 15.7 4.5 1.7 70 30-40 36 29.2% 45.2% 86.9% 0.7 4.5 1.7 0.9 1.1 0.3 3.3 15.7 13.5 23 10 5
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 12.4 7.7 2.2 81 34-47 36 16.7% 45.3% 74.2% 1.3 7.7 2.2 1.3 2.2 0.5 4 12.4 15.2 23 14 7
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 9 6.8 3.6 71 30-41 36 0% 46.1% 54.6% 1.3 6.8 3.6 1 2.5 0.8 4 9 13 17 17 10
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 13.1 6.7 1.7 57 22-35 36 - 46.2% 67% 1.2 6.7 1.7 0.8 2.1 0.4 4.2 13.1 13.1 23 10 5
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 14.8 2.6 5.7 50 17-33 36 19.2% 50.9% 80.4% 0.8 2.6 5.7 1.3 3 0.3 3.2 14.8 15.6 20 5 8
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 10 3.3 0.8 10 3-7 36 0% 40.5% 75% 0.8 3.3 0.8 0.8 1.1 0 4.7 10 7.3 9 3 1
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 9.7 11.2 1 18 5-13 36 - 62.8% 27.8% 2.8 11.2 1 0.2 1 1 5 9.7 17.3 11 13 1
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 8.5 10.7 2.3 20 6-14 36 - 43.6% 50% 1.7 10.7 2.3 0.8 2.3 1.5 6.2 8.5 15.2 8 11 4
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 7.2 7.2 1.9 28 14-14 36 - 54.8% 77.8% 1.1 7.2 1.9 0.5 2 0.1 4.3 7.2 12.1 6 10 4
John Olive 2m01 24 0 2.4 0 1 0-1 36 - 0% - 0 2.4 0 0 4.8 0 4.8 0 -7.2 0 1 0
Total 17 6.5 3.1 82 35-47 36 33.1% 49.6% 73.5% 1.2 6.5 3.1 0.9 2.3 0.5 3.4 17 17.8
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
World b. Free 1m91 26 33.8 3.6 4.5 68 31-37 40 39.1% 50.4% 75.3% 1 3.6 4.5 0.9 3.2 0.4 2.9 33.8 25.1 49 8 9
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 30.7 3.6 3.1 82 35-47 40 36% 52.1% 81.5% 0.9 3.6 3.1 1.1 2.7 0.1 2.7 30.7 23.1 51 8 7
Bill Walton 2m12 27 23 15 4 14 6-8 40 - 50.3% 59.3% 2.6 15 4 0.8 3.7 4.4 4.4 23 31.5 23 15 6
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 16.2 2.7 4.9 78 34-44 40 37.4% 47.1% 80.2% 0.5 2.7 4.9 1.5 1.8 0.3 3.6 16.2 16.4 28 8 9
Swen Nater 2m11 29 16.2 17 3.3 81 34-47 40 0% 58.8% 71.8% 2.7 17 3.3 0.4 3.1 0.4 3.6 16.2 28.4 35 32 10
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 17.4 5 1.9 70 30-40 40 29.2% 45.2% 86.9% 0.8 5 1.9 1 1.2 0.3 3.6 17.4 15 23 10 5
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 13.8 8.6 2.5 81 34-47 40 16.7% 45.3% 74.2% 1.5 8.6 2.5 1.4 2.5 0.5 4.5 13.8 16.8 23 14 7
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 10 7.5 4 71 30-41 40 0% 46.1% 54.6% 1.4 7.5 4 1.2 2.8 0.9 4.5 10 14.4 17 17 10
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 14.5 7.4 1.9 57 22-35 40 - 46.2% 67% 1.4 7.4 1.9 0.9 2.3 0.4 4.6 14.5 14.6 23 10 5
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 16.4 2.9 6.3 50 17-33 40 19.2% 50.9% 80.4% 0.9 2.9 6.3 1.4 3.4 0.3 3.5 16.4 17.3 20 5 8
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 11.2 3.7 0.9 10 3-7 40 0% 40.5% 75% 0.9 3.7 0.9 0.9 1.2 0 5.3 11.2 8.1 9 3 1
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 10.8 12.5 1.1 18 5-13 40 - 62.8% 27.8% 3.1 12.5 1.1 0.2 1.1 1.1 5.5 10.8 19.3 11 13 1
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 9.4 11.9 2.5 20 6-14 40 - 43.6% 50% 1.9 11.9 2.5 0.9 2.5 1.6 6.9 9.4 16.9 8 11 4
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 8 8 2.1 28 14-14 40 - 54.8% 77.8% 1.2 8 2.1 0.6 2.3 0.2 4.8 8 13.4 6 10 4
John Olive 2m01 24 0 2.7 0 1 0-1 40 - 0% - 0 2.7 0 0 5.3 0 5.3 0 -8 0 1 0
Total 18.9 7.2 3.4 82 35-47 40 33.1% 49.6% 73.5% 1.3 7.2 3.4 1 2.5 0.5 3.8 18.9 19.8
Player Height Age USG% PACE PIE PER GMSCR AST% TO% AST/TO OREB% DREB% REB%
World b. Free 1m91 26 33.3% 29,3 9,0 26,0 21,8 12% 10% 4 2% 5% 7%
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 30.2% 18,0 7,0 22,6 12,9 9% 9% 1.3 2% 6% 8%
Bill Walton 2m12 27 26% 15,4 1,0 23,7 13,7 14% 14% 1.4 1% 5% 6%
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 16.3% 13,4 6,0 13,9 12,6 23% 11% 18.8 1% 5% 6%
Swen Nater 2m11 29 16.4% 13,3 11,0 18,6 14,9 17% 19% 1.2 6% 32% 39%
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 19% 12,6 4,0 12,3 8,9 9% 7% 3.4 2% 8% 10%
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 16.3% 10,9 4,0 11,6 8,9 13% 15% 0.1 3% 16% 20%
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 13.4% 9,4 3,0 9,2 7,9 23% 21% 8.9 3% 12% 15%
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 17.4% 8,1 2,0 10,0 5,7 10% 14% -2.6 2% 10% 12%
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 17.4% 4,8 1,0 14,0 4,3 27% 20% 17.2 1% 3% 4%
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 14% 4,5 0 5,2 2,8 6% 9% -2.2 0% 1% 1%
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 10.6% 3,2 0 12,6 4,3 10% 11% 0 2% 5% 6%
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 12.9% 4,3 0 8,8 4,3 16% 20% 0 1% 6% 7%
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 9.3% 2,2 0 7,1 2,3 19% 25% -1.6 1% 5% 6%
John Olive 2m01 24 10.8% 4,0 0 -13,7 -2,3 0% 50% -50 0% 0% 0%
Player Height Age eFG% TS% 3PAr FTr %FGA/2PTm %FGA/3PTm %FGA/FTm %PTS/2PTm %PTS/3PTm %PTS/FTm PTS/2PTm PTS/3PTm
World b. Free 1m91 26 69,9% 57,2% 1,6% 51,9% 64,8% 1,0% 34,2% 70,9% 1,3% 27,8% 1.01 1.17
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 59,9% 57,0% 9,0% 19,3% 76,3% 7,5% 16,2% 79,0% 7,9% 12,7% 1.07 1.08
Bill Walton 2m12 27 60,2% 52,5% 0% 33,5% 74,9% 0% 25,1% 83,5% 0% 16,5% 1.01 0
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 54,7% 57,1% 23,2% 19,0% 64,6% 19,5% 15,9% 62,1% 21,0% 12,3% 1 1.12
Swen Nater 2m11 29 71,8% 62,0% 0,3% 36,3% 73,2% 0,2% 26,6% 81,9% 0% 18,1% 1.18 0
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 51,2% 49,8% 9,3% 13,8% 79,7% 8,2% 12,1% 80,6% 7,7% 11,4% 0.94 0.88
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 57,7% 50,6% 4,6% 33,4% 71,5% 3,5% 25,1% 76,7% 2,0% 21,4% 0.93 0.5
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 55,2% 48,1% 0,2% 33,3% 74,8% 0,2% 25,0% 83,5% 0% 16,5% 0.92 0
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 55,1% 49,3% 0% 26,5% 79,1% 0% 20,9% 83,9% 0% 16,1% 0.92 0
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 61,7% 59,6% 15,2% 26,9% 66,8% 12,0% 21,2% 71,9% 6,6% 16,2% 1.13 0.58
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 48,6% 44,4% 5,4% 21,6% 77,8% 4,4% 17,8% 83,3% 0% 16,7% 0.86 0
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 68,6% 57,9% 0% 41,9% 70,5% 0% 29,5% 91,5% 0% 8,5% 1.26 0
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 58,2% 46,3% 0% 58,2% 63,2% 0% 36,8% 75,0% 0% 25,0% 0.87 0
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 63,1% 57,7% 0% 21,4% 82,4% 0% 17,6% 86,8% 0% 13,2% 1.1 0
John Olive 2m01 24 0% 0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0 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
World b. Free 1m91 26 89% 28% 25% 25% 26% 26% 7% 6% 43% 42% 12% 7% 8% 21% 20% 14% 13% - 12% - - 20%
Freeman Williams 1m94 23 61% 17% 18% 18% 18% 17% 26% 24% 12% 11% 7% 5% 5% 10% 12% 11% 3% - 8% - - 12%
Bill Walton 2m12 27 60% 13% 14% 13% 14% 14% 0% 0% 12% 15% 21% 22% 22% 12% 15% 8% 90% - 12% - - 17%
Brian Taylor 1m89 28 83% 13% 12% 13% 10% 10% 51% 45% 9% 8% 5% 6% 5% 21% 11% 22% 9% - 14% - - 12%
Swen Nater 2m11 29 83% 12% 13% 11% 13% 12% 0% 0% 12% 13% 30% 35% 34% 14% 18% 6% 13% - 14% - - 21%
Bingo Smith 1m96 33 67% 11% 12% 13% 12% 13% 16% 18% 7% 6% 7% 8% 8% 6% 6% 12% 7% - 11% - - 9%
Joe Bryant 2m08 25 67% 9% 9% 9% 9% 10% 3% 7% 10% 10% 13% 14% 14% 9% 12% 16% 13% - 14% - - 10%
Sidney Wicks 2m07 30 71% 7% 7% 7% 7% 8% 0% 0% 6% 8% 13% 13% 13% 15% 14% 14% 21% - 15% - - 9%
Nick Weatherspoon 2m01 29 47% 6% 7% 7% 7% 8% 0% 0% 6% 6% 9% 8% 8% 5% 8% 7% 7% - 10% - - 6%
Stan Pietkiewicz 1m96 23 28% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 5% 9% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 9% 7% 7% 3% - 5% - - 4%
Bob Carrington 1m98 26 32% 3% 4% 4% 4% 4% 0% 4% 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% 2% 3% 5% 0% - 8% - - 2%
Jerome Whitehead 2m10 23 30% 3% 4% 3% 4% 3% 0% 0% 1% 4% 12% 8% 9% 2% 2% 1% 11% - 8% - - 5%
Marvin Barnes 2m03 27 34% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 0% 0% 4% 6% 9% 10% 10% 4% 6% 5% 19% - 11% - - 5%
Steve Malovic 2m10 23 24% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 1% 1% 4% 5% 5% 3% 4% 2% 1% - 5% - - 3%
John Olive 2m01 24 38% 0% 0% 2% 0% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 2% 0% 14% 0% 0% - 9% - - -3%

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.