Los Angeles Clippers

ABOUT

Full NameLos Angeles Clippers

Nick NameLA Clippers

Founded1970

GroundStaples Center

Team Owner(s)Steve Ballmer

Prominent PlayersKawhi Leonard, Paul George,Terrance Mann, Eric Bledsoe, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac

ABOUT

The Los Angeles Clippers are an American Basketball team competing in the Western Conference Pacific division of the NBA. The Clippers were founded in 1970 and play their home games at Staples Center. The LA Clippers are one of the few teams to have never won the NBA Championship or the Conference title.

Clippers history

From 1973-1976, the Clippers (Buffalo Braves at that time) reached the conference semifinals three times in a row, losing each time. The Clippers had to wait close to two decades for their next playoff appearance in 1991-92. In their 48 seasons of existence, the Los Angeles Clippers have managed to reach the NBA Playoffs only 13 times and the farthest they have advanced in the Playoffs in the Conference Semifinals. The Clippers' fortunes changed in the early 2010s with the acquisition of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Clippers won the Division title for the first time in 2013 and they repeated as Division Champions in 2014. Some of the most prominent Clippers are Bob McAdoo, Moses Malone, Elton Brand etc.

Clippers in recent years

With the additions of Griffin and Paul, the Clippers organization improved on a consistent basis. They reached the playoffs seven times between 2012 and 2019. Nicknamed "Lob City", the Clippers were purchased by Steve Ballmer from Donald Sterling and that's when the revolution truly began. He started off by hiring Jerry West to serve as their special consultant. Jerry was the architect who began the dynasty that was built by the Lakers in 2000 to 2002.

Chris Paul was sent to the Houston Rockets in a trade package which saw the Clippers receive Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, Sam Dekker, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a future first round pick, and cash considerations. Another acquisition by the Clippers was of Danilo Gallinari involving a three-team trade. They soon moved Griffin to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tobias Harris, Bojan Marjanovic and Avery Bradley.

Despite making playoffs consistently, the Clippers were not making a deep run during the postseason. This led the team to make a move for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, instantly making the Clippers title favorites. Their first season together ended in a “bubble” of disappointment as they blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the second round with key players floundering on the biggest stage. They parted ways with Doc Rivers and Tyronn Lue was promoted to the position of head coach. Their second season was a redemption season. Both Kawhi and PG13 made an All-NBA Team. The Clippers were looking favourites to come out of the West until Kawhi’s injury. They still made a valiant effort and took the Suns to six games in the Western Conference Finals.