The Los Angeles Clippers have experienced one of the most remarkable transformations in NBA history. After decades of losing seasons, controversial ownership, and playoff disappointments, the franchise has become one of the league’s most respected organizations. Originally founded as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, the team relocated to San Diego in 1978 before moving to Los Angeles in 1984. Today, the Clippers are perennial playoff contenders and play in their state-of-the-art home, the Intuit Dome.
Franchise Origins
The franchise began as the Buffalo Braves, one of three NBA expansion teams that entered the league in 1970.
After eight seasons in Buffalo, new owner Irv Levin relocated the team to San Diego in 1978, where it became the San Diego Clippers.
The nickname “Clippers” was inspired by the fast sailing ships that once frequented San Diego Bay.
In 1981, Los Angeles real estate developer Donald Sterling purchased the franchise.
Three years later, despite opposition from the NBA, Sterling moved the Clippers to Los Angeles following the 1983-84 season. The NBA initially fined Sterling before eventually allowing the relocation to stand.
Early Years in Los Angeles
The Clippers entered a city already dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers, whose “Showtime” dynasty led by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy was winning championships.
As a result, the Clippers struggled to attract fans while playing their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
Despite drafting talented young players such as:
- Benoit Benjamin
- Danny Manning
- Ron Harper
- Ken Norman
the franchise remained one of the NBA’s least successful organizations throughout much of the 1980s.
The Danny Manning Era
The Clippers selected Danny Manning with the first overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft following his legendary career at the University of Kansas.
Although injuries limited Manning early in his NBA career, he developed into a two-time NBA All-Star.
During the early 1990s, the Clippers assembled one of the most talented young teams in franchise history.
- Danny Manning
- Ron Harper
- Mark Jackson
- Loy Vaught
- Ken Norman
- Charles Smith
Under head coach Larry Brown, Los Angeles reached the NBA Playoffs in 1992 and 1993, ending a long postseason drought.
The Lob City Era
The franchise entered a new era in 2011 when it acquired All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets.
Paul teamed with:
- Blake Griffin
- DeAndre Jordan
to create the famous “Lob City” era.
Known for spectacular alley-oop dunks, fast-paced offense, and highlight-reel plays, the Clippers became one of the NBA’s most entertaining teams.
The roster also featured:
- Jamal Crawford
- J.J. Redick
- Matt Barnes
Under head coach Doc Rivers, the Clippers became perennial playoff contenders. Despite numerous 50-win seasons, however, they never advanced beyond the Western Conference Semifinals during the Lob City years.
The most heartbreaking defeat came in 2015 when the Clippers lost a 3-1 series lead to the Houston Rockets.
A New Beginning
Following the breakup of the Lob City core, the Clippers rebuilt without enduring a lengthy rebuilding process.
In 2019, the organization signed Kawhi Leonard in free agency and acquired Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The moves immediately made Los Angeles one of the favorites to compete for an NBA championship.
First Western Conference Finals
The franchise reached a historic milestone during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Despite Kawhi Leonard suffering a knee injury during the postseason, the Clippers defeated the top-seeded Utah Jazz to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Led by Paul George, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr., and head coach Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles rallied from a 2-0 deficit before eventually falling to the Phoenix Suns in six games.
The James Harden Era
In 2023, the Clippers acquired former NBA MVP James Harden, creating another star-studded roster alongside Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.
Following the 2023-24 season, Paul George departed in free agency, while the Clippers continued building around Leonard, Harden, and a deep veteran roster.
A New Home: Intuit Dome
One of the biggest moments in franchise history occurred in 2024 with the opening of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
After decades of sharing arenas with the Lakers, the Clippers finally moved into a basketball-specific venue built exclusively for the franchise.
Funded by owner Steve Ballmer, the arena features cutting-edge technology and one of the NBA’s loudest fan sections, known as The Wall.
The Intuit Dome symbolizes the remarkable transformation of the Clippers organization.
Steve Ballmer Changes Everything
In 2014, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer purchased the Clippers for a then-record $2 billion following Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA.
Ballmer invested heavily in every area of the organization, including:
- Player development
- Training facilities
- Analytics
- Medical staff
- Fan experience
- Front-office stability
Under Ballmer’s ownership, the Clippers have become one of the NBA’s model franchises.
Franchise Greats
- Bob McAdoo
- Randy Smith
- Danny Manning
- Blake Griffin
- Chris Paul
- DeAndre Jordan
- Elton Brand
- Kawhi Leonard
- Paul George
- Lou Williams
- Jamal Crawford
- World B. Free
- Ron Harper
- Corey Maggette
- James Harden
Individual Awards
| Award | Winner | Year |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Most Valuable Player | Bob McAdoo | 1975 (Buffalo Braves) |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Bob McAdoo | 1973 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Ernie DiGregorio | 1974 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Adrian Dantley | 1977 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Terry Cummings | 1983 |
| NBA Sixth Man of the Year | Jamal Crawford | 2014, 2016 |
| NBA Sixth Man of the Year | Lou Williams | 2018, 2019 |
Conference Finals Appearance
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Lost Western Conference Finals (Phoenix Suns, 4-2) |
Legacy
For much of their history, the Clippers were regarded as one of professional sports’ most troubled franchises. Years of instability, losing seasons, and controversial ownership overshadowed talented players and memorable teams.
Under Steve Ballmer’s leadership, however, the organization has undergone a dramatic transformation. With modern facilities, strong front-office leadership, championship aspirations, and the opening of the Intuit Dome, the Clippers have become one of the NBA’s premier organizations.
While the search for the franchise’s first NBA championship continues, the Clippers’ journey from the Buffalo Braves to the San Diego Clippers and finally to the Los Angeles Clippers remains one of the most fascinating stories in professional basketball history.