{"id":478,"date":"2026-07-02T22:33:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T22:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyhoops.net\/blog3\/?p=478"},"modified":"2026-07-02T22:34:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T22:34:18","slug":"history-of-the-los-angeles-clippers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyhoops.net\/blog3\/2026\/07\/02\/history-of-the-los-angeles-clippers\/","title":{"rendered":"History of the Los Angeles Clippers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Clippers<\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong> in 1970, the team relocated to San Diego<\/strong> in 1978 before moving to Los Angeles<\/strong> in 1984. Today, the Clippers are perennial playoff contenders and play in their state-of-the-art home, the Intuit Dome<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

Franchise Origins<\/h2>\n

\nThe franchise began as the Buffalo Braves<\/strong>, one of three NBA expansion teams that entered the league in 1970<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

\nAfter eight seasons in Buffalo, new owner Irv Levin<\/strong> relocated the team to San Diego<\/strong> in 1978, where it became the San Diego Clippers<\/a><\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe nickname “Clippers<\/strong>” was inspired by the fast sailing ships that once frequented San Diego Bay.\n<\/p>\n

\nIn 1981<\/strong>, Los Angeles real estate developer Donald Sterling<\/strong> purchased the franchise.\n<\/p>\n

\nThree 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.\n<\/p>\n

Early Years in Los Angeles<\/h2>\n

\nThe Clippers entered a city already dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong>, whose “Showtime” dynasty led by Magic Johnson<\/strong>, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/strong>, and James Worthy<\/strong> was winning championships.\n<\/p>\n

\nAs a result, the Clippers struggled to attract fans while playing their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

\nDespite drafting talented young players such as:\n<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Benoit Benjamin<\/li>\n
  • Danny Manning<\/li>\n
  • Ron Harper<\/li>\n
  • Ken Norman<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \nthe franchise remained one of the NBA’s least successful organizations throughout much of the 1980s.\n<\/p>\n

    The Danny Manning Era<\/h2>\n

    \nThe Clippers selected Danny Manning<\/strong> with the first overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft<\/strong> following his legendary career at the University of Kansas.\n<\/p>\n

    \nAlthough injuries limited Manning early in his NBA career, he developed into a two-time NBA All-Star.\n<\/p>\n

    \nDuring the early 1990s, the Clippers assembled one of the most talented young teams in franchise history.\n<\/p>\n