- 1984
- 1999
- 2011
- 2014
- 2015
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Donald Sterling and Move to LA
The 1981 – 1982 season brought changes to the franchise as Irv Levin sold the team to Los Angeles-area real estate developer and attorney Donald Sterling for US$12.5 million. The Clippers’ poor play in the final years in San Diego resulted in averaging only 4,500 fans a game. Sterling lobbied the NBA to relocate the team to his native Los ... -
Move to Staples Center
From 1994 to 1998, the Clippers played several games at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, sharing the venue with the NHL’s Mighty Ducks and the Splash indoor soccer team. In 1999, the Clippers joined the Lakers and Los Angeles Kings in the new Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. In sharing the building with other tenants, such as the highly popular ... -
Chris Paul a Clipper
On December 14, 2011, they traded Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Minnesota’s 2012 first-round pick acquired in 2005 for New Orleans Hornets’ four-time all-star Chris Paul. Paul had previously almost been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, but NBA commissioner David Stern had vetoed the trade. Paul and Griffin were selected as starters for the Western Conference team ... -
Fall of Donald Sterling
On April 29, 2014, the NBA issued Sterling a lifetime ban from the organization after a league investigation into the recording confirmed that he was the one conversing with Stiviano. The league also issued a $2.5 million fine against Sterling, the highest allowable by the NBA, and barred him from attending games or practices involving any NBA team; being present ... -
Steve Ballmer $2 Billion Purchase
On May 27, 2014, Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, agreed to purchase the team for $2 billion. To buy the team, Ballmer reportedly beat out other candidates including Oprah Winfrey, Floyd Mayweather, Magic Johnson, and a group of crowdfunders. Although Ballmer lives in the Seattle area and had been part of an ownership group that had unsuccessfully attempted to ...
History of the Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Greater Los Angeles. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1970 and has played since 1984 when they were known as the San Diego Clippers before relocating to their current home city. The team has had some great moments throughout its history, including making it to seven playoffs and reaching two conference semi-finals during that period.
In recent years, however, there have been some struggles for this franchise due to a lack of top-tier talent and inconsistent play on both ends of the court, which have prevented them from really contending with other teams at a championship level despite having talented players such as Blake Griffin or Chris Paul who is considered among best at their respective positions by many experts around NBA world. Despite all these issues, the organization is still committed to achieving success, as evidenced by various moves they made over the last few seasons, like bringing Doc Rivers on board or trading away critical pieces from past rosters for younger, more promising ones.
Overall, it’s safe to say that although not one most successful franchises out there right now but things seem to be heading right direction under new management led by Steve Ballmer & Co., who will try to do whatever is necessary make sure LA Clippers become a powerhouse within next couple years if everything goes according to plan. With the young core group already placed along with the veteran presence provided by the stars mentioned earlier, plus quality coaching staff behind them, expect nothing less than a bright future ahead for this organization's near horizon!
Established
1970
City
Buffalo – San Diego – Los Angeles
League History
1970 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
1984 – Present / Los Angeles Clippers
1978 – 1984 / San Diego Clippers
1970 – 1978 / Buffalo Braves
Nickname
Clippers – The Los Angeles Clippers have one of the unique nicknames in all professional sports. But how did they come to be known as "Clippers"? The answer lies in the team's roots, which date back to 1970 when it was founded as part of a merger between two other teams – the Buffalo Braves and the San Diego Rockets.
At that time, there were two primary sources for ships carrying goods across oceans: steamboats and clipper ships. Clippers were renowned for their speed and agility on open waters, so when former owner Donald Sterling decided on a nickname for his newly formed NBA franchise, he chose “Clippers” because it represented power and grace—two qualities he wanted his team to embody on the court.
Over time, this moniker has become synonymous with success; years later, the LA Clippers remains one of basketball’s premier franchises year after year! From Hall-of-Famers like Blake Griffin & DeAndre Jordan leading them into battle each night at Staples Center or legendary coaches like Doc Rivers guiding them from the sidelines—the Los Angeles Clippers is an organization that stands proud amongst its peers throughout league history!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
1999 – Present / Staples Center
1984 – 1999 / Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
*San Diego*
1978 – 1984 / San Diego Sports Arena
*Buffalo*
1970 – 1978 / Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Owner
2014 – Present / Steve Balmer
1981 – 2014 / Donald Sterling
1978 – 1981 / Irv Levin
1976 – 1978 / John Y. Brown, Jr.
1970 – 1976 / Paul Snyder
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history