Los Angeles Clippers History
The Los Angeles Clippers was first named for the Native American history of Buffalo. The team of LA Clippers started playing basketball as Buffalo Braves. It was by 1970 that LA Clippers as Buffalo Braves marked basketball courts with courage and determination, and as brave as their team name signified.
Buffalo Braves joined Portland Trail Blazers as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first three expansion franchises of the NBA.
The team of LA Clippers, by the name Buffalo Braves, won their first game. Buffalo Braves, with a roster chiefly made up of castoffs, got the winning score of 107 against 92, beating the team of Cleveland Cavaliers. The owner of LA Clippers during those times was John Y. Brown.
The first playoff season of the LA Clippers as Buffalo Braves was a success under Coach Jack Ramsay.
Bob McAdoo, as a team member, showed magnificent play and was awarded with the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, during 1975.
Though the 1976 season was not quite successful for Los Angeles Clippers, the 1977 season gave the Clippers team forty-three triumphs. By that time, the ownership of Buffalo franchise was traded by John Y. Brown to Irv Levin with Boston Celtics franchise. Irv Levin, as the new owner of Buffalo Braves, renamed the team name into San Diego Clippers in the year 1978.
It was not so long until June 1981, when the team of Los Angeles Clippers, as San Diego Clippers, was purchased by the Beverly Hills lawyer, Donald T. Sterling. Soon after, Terry Cummings as well as Tom Chambers joined the team of San Diego Clippers.
Donald T. Sterling decided to move the Clippers into Los Angeles. It was by the 1st day of the month of November, year 1984, when the Los Angeles Clippers had their debut at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Los Angeles Clippers jersey and Los Angeles Clippers apparel were all out of the Los Angeles Clippers store as fans began to embrace the Los Angeles Clippers team. The LA Clippers showed that they were still the bravest team as they won over the New York Knicks team with a score of 107 against 105. Furthermore, the year of 1985 to 1986 gave Los Angeles Clippers five winning games.
By the year 1987 and 1988, LA Clippers was under new a coach by the name of Gene Shue. It was not the best season for LA Clippers, but Michael Cage, who was the first round draft picks by 1984, gave LA Clippers a great impression as he pulled down 30 rebounds in the finals and took the rebounding title, though it was not too long for him to stay for the team as he was traded with Gary Grant in the 1989 draft pick..
The year 1998 to 1999 was the final season for LA Clippers at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Finally, in the year 1999 to year 2000, the superb artistic construction, Staples Center, became home to the brave team of Los Angeles Clippers. The selling of LA Clippers team souvenirs as well as the Los Angeles Apparel and Los Angeles Jersey were becoming numerous in Los Angeles Clippers store and even on the online LA Clippers store, as the demand continued to grow. By the year 2000 to the year 2001, the Los Angeles Clippers struggled their way to success as Lamar Odom led the Clippers in scoring and rebounds and played a big role as the Clippers doubled their preceding season’s win total making it in 6th place with a record of 31-51.
By 2003, LA Clippers players, Elton Brand as well as Corey Maggette, was given a long-term contract. The coach of Los Angeles Clippers was Mike Dunleavy. LA Clippers was led by Elton Brand, the big man of the team, in the year 2004 to year 2005.
Elton Brand arrived from the team of Chicago Bulls by the year 2001. He was traded for Brian Skinner and in the draft rights of Tyson Chandler. Elton Brand as the player of LA Clippers won NBA All-Star Award during the year 2002 as well as 2006. Brand continued his outstanding play on the defensive part of the LA Clippers team.
The Los Angeles Clippers celebrated their 20th season in Los Angeles by 2003 under Coach Mike Dunleavy. The team started from the very beginning again as they fight for success as they kept a record of 22-25.
The family of LA Clippers was getting bigger as guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley joined LA Clippers by 2005. Sam Cassell was also an exceptional player as he also led the team of LA Clippers into the Western Conference Semi-finals in year 2006 playoffs. LA Clippers won over Denver Nuggets in five games. Shaun Livingston as well as Chris Kaman also helped LA Clippers in the following seasons. Chris Kaman, as the center player, made his mark as one of the top offensive centers of the game. Vladimir Radmanovic as Seattle Supersonics forward player was given a break to show his moves for LA Clippers, as he was traded with the forward Chris Wilcox. The team during that period reached the Western Conference Finals.
Soon after, Vladimir decided to sign with the LA Lakers. He was replaced by forward Tim Thomas, who has most recently played for the Phoenix Suns. Thomas marked his part as LA Clippers player as he had done several shots ending the team’s season. Moreover, Paul Davis was drafted by LA Clippers as their center player, and he gave the team an outstanding game.
The Los Angeles Clippers’ player Bob McAdoo received Hall of Fame award by the year 2000. The team of LA Clippers was Buffalo Braves during McAdoo’s time. By 1993, Bill Walton got the Hall of Fame award as a San Diego Clippers’ center player. By 2006, Dominique Wilkins, who played small forward for the team of LA Clippers, was inducted with the Hall of Fame award. Dr. Jack Ramsay, as LA Clippers’ (that was named Buffalo Braves by that time) head coach, got the title in the year 1992. Finally, in 2006, Elgin Baylor got the award for NBA Executive of the Year.
Through times, the Los Angeles Clippers marked their team’s success with bravery, courage as well as determination. The history of LA Clippers is not yet over as they will continue their journey as basketball players to the present day. The demand for LA Clippers Jersey, LA Clippers Apparel and other LA Clippers accessories will continue to rise in LA Clippers store.
The team will move on to be the bravest players on NBA like buffalos. Watch out for their games and support their team because all they dream and care about was to play basketball, entertain the audience, cherish their skills and be determined to bring home the victory.
The Los Angeles Clippers had the most memorable season this past year as they made the playoffs for the first time in nine years. They also won their first postseason series in over thirty years and had their second-best franchise record in history. In a very competitive Pacific Division, the Los Angeles Clippers finished only behind the Phoenix Suns, who eventually beat them in the playoffs to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Boasting one of the most complete teams in the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers will be looking forward to another season as they learned tremendously about themselves and their teammates. It all starts with Elton Brand, the superstar and big man for the team. After arriving from the Chicago Bulls years ago in a trade for the second pick in the draft, (Tyson Chandler) Brand has made his mark on the city of Los Angeles. He has evolved into one of the top low-post scorers in the league while improving his mid-range jumper tremendously this past season, and continuing his stellar play on the defensive side. Beside him, center Chris Kaman has progressed into one of the top offensive centers in the game.
The arrival of veteran guard Sam Cassell was the final piece for the Los Angeles Clippers. Showing a steady but minimal improvement each year, the organization was looking for someone who could not only lead the team in the back court but also for someone willing to take that “big shot” at the end of close games. Cassell brought that and more as he helped teammates evolve into a championship caliber team.
The executive of the year, Elgin Baylor, formed a team with players who knew how to play roles. Cuttino Mobley was signed as a free agent and brought a perimeter and mid-range offense along with being one of the team’s top defenders. Shaun Livingston, considered by many to be a passer like Magic Johnson, carried the team on numerous occasions with or without Cassell on the floor. Corey Maggette, coming off the bench because of injury, also supported the team bringing instant offense and energy. Finally, acquired through a trade with the Seattle Supersonics for forward Chris Wilcox, Vladimir Radmanovic assisted the squad with his long-range game becoming an immediate fan favorite.
As the offseason approached and rumors about Sam Cassell signing with another team loomed, critics questions were answered when the Los Angeles Clippers signed Cassell to a two-year deal worth over $13 million. The Atlanta Hawks initially offered Cassell the same deal, but Baylor and company quickly re-signed him.
At around the same time though, Vladimir Radmanovic decided to leave the Clippers after arriving there via trade. He won't be going far sicne he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. To fill the void of Radmanovic, the Los Angeles Clippers signed forward Tim Thomas for four-years worth nearly $24 million. Thomas was previously with the Phoenix Suns and fans of the Lakers or Clippers remember him distinctly because of his numerous shots ending both teams' seasons.
To add more depth to the team, the Los Angeles Clippers drafted Paul Davis, a center from Michigan State. The Clippers needed help in the center position and Davis brings a solid offensive game, a rebounding prescence, and of course, his size. The Clippers also added Guillermo Diaz out of the University of Miami. Diaz, a former volleyball player on the Puerto Rican under-18 national team, who brings athleticism and quickness to the point guard position. He is expected to play overseas for another season or two.
Look for the Los Angeles Clippers to make another run in the playoffs as they haave a strong nucleus returning, along with more depth.
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