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Though the LA Clippers are yet to win an NBA Championship or hoist any player's jersey to the rafters, they have had their fair share of superstars in the league.
Currently, All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have the hopes of a franchise resting on their shoulders. They go into the 2021-22 campaign among the contenders for the title should the former return from injury. Winning a chip would certainly earn them a place in Clippers history and a jersey retirement.
Before the current roster of LA Clippers stars, though, the 'Lob City' sides of the past decade helped lay the foundations for success and put the franchise on the map. The three leaders of those teams are recognized as some of the best players in the organization's history, as too are All-Stars of the past that fans may not be aware of.
In this article, we will rank who we believe are the best LA Clippers players of all time and why. Let's get into it.
Who should be classified as the LA Clippers best ever players?
#5 Elton Brand
Prior to 'Lob City's' creation, Elton Brand was responsible for keeping the LA Clippers relevant in the Western Conference. In seven seasons with the ball club, Brand appeared in the postseason just once but still ranks among the best in franchise folklore for his scoring and rebounding.
Arriving at the LA Clippers aged 22, Brand immediately enamored himself with the team's fanbase, averaging 18.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and two blocks per game in his first season while making his first All-Star appearance. He would go on to earn another All-Star call-up in 2006 and ended his time with the franchise with staggering averages of 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting at 51% from the field.
In the ball club's history books, Brand ranks in the top five players for points, rebounds, blocks and minutes played. While he may not have achieved the success that those later down the line would, he should certainly be recognized for his scoring. Brand was a precursor of what was to come in terms of the LA Clippers dunk specialists.
#4 DeAndre Jordan
Though a number of players could have made it onto the LA Clippers' greatest list, there had to be a spot for DeAndre Jordan. The 6-11 center was one of the most dominant big men in the league while in LA and led all players in field-goal percentage for five consecutive campaigns.
He is the longest tenured player on this list (10 seasons), has played the most number of games for the franchise, has the most rebounds and blocks and ranks eighth in points.
Jordan was the first member of 'Lob City', having been drafted by the LA Clippers in 2008, but it took until Chris Paul and Blake Griffin arrived for him to really show his worth. After the 2012-13 campaign, Jordan would average a double-double in every game for the ensuing five seasons, twice leading the NBA in rebounds.
His connection with both Griffin and Paul was second nature, but Jordan had to do a lot of the unseen work down low for them to wow the crowd on offense. Some of his dunks while with the LA Clippers are still among the best of the 21st century, particularly his posterization of Brandon Knight.
#3 Bob McAdoo
Despite Bob McAdoo helping the LA Lakers to a couple of NBA championships later in his career, he spent most of his prime with the Buffalo Braves before the franchise moved to California and became the LA Clippers.
The Braves drafted the small-ball five with their second overall pick in 1972 and immediately saw their fortunes change. With McAdoo on the team, the Braves made three trips to the NBA postseason, though lost in the Conference semifinals on each occasion. From 1973 to 1976, he led the league in scoring, with an impressive 34.6 points per game in the 1974-75 campaign. He also racked up a casual 15 rebounds each night and 3.3 blocks that year.
Despite his size, McAdoo was happy to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court, which was unusual in his time as a big man and made him a nightmare on offense. Despite his limited time with the organization compared to others on this list, McAdoo was still able to make it onto the LA Clippers' top-3 all-time scorers and ranks fifth in rebounds.
#2 Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin was the epitome of the LA Clippers' 'Lob City' teams. As soon as he entered the league as the first overall pick, Griffin made the NBA sit up and take notice, averaging 22.5 points and 12 rebounds in what would become one of the greatest rookie campaigns of all time.
From there he never looked back, dunking and spinning on his opponents in the paint, creating a thrilling highlight reel along the way. After eight years, he had averaged 21.6 points and 9.3 rebounds having shot at 51% from the floor. He ranks inside the top three players in LA Clippers history for points and rebounds and sits fifth for assists.
Although he never became an elite defender, Griffin did improve various aspects of his game while with the Clippers, including his mid-range jumper and accuracy from the free-throw line. For a player of his size, he was also a skilled passer, giving out 4.2 assists per game.
Griffin will be primarily remembered for the excitement he brought to the Staples Center crowd. Although he left on bad terms with club owner Steve Ballmer, it wouldn't be surprising if the Clippers fanbase pushed to have his jersey retired in the future.
#1 Chris Paul
Really, the No.1 spot could have gone either way. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin formed a telepathic relationship while playing for the LA Clippers that led to several stunning dunks. However, it was the point guard who orchestrated the 'Lob City' years and led the team on both ends of the court.
In his first three seasons with the franchise, Paul led the league in steals per game and ended his time in L.A. having averaged 2.2 a night during his six years. On offense, he was in the prime of his creativity with two perfect partners in the pick-and-roll and clinical shooters on the perimeter. Paul averaged 9.8 assists per game and amassed more than 4,000 in total, over 500 more than the next highest in the organization's history.
Paul was particularly important to the LA Clippers when it came to the playoffs. He upped his output and was looked to to make clutch shots, such as his series-winning banker against the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. He ranks sixth overall in points for the franchise and second in steals and will surely be remembered as its greatest ever point guard.
