As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy those odds.
The Los Angeles Clippers entered the NBA in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, where they made their home until 1978. The franchise moved to San Diego, where they were rebranded as the Clippers. The franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1984. Despite a recent run of success that has seen six playoff seasons in seven years, the Clippers are viewed by most as “LA’s other team” given the presence of the iconic Lakers. In addition, since the franchise has had just 12 seasons with a winning record.
There were years of bad decisions and lottery picks that did not materialize. There was once a running joke that, “one day the Clippers will win the NBA championship and die of bad champagne.”
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the Braves/Clippers for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Braves/Clippers during a season of being a contender does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Clippers during fallow years, of which there have been many, is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”
Starting lineup
Point guard: Chris Paul
The Clippers’ acquisition of Paul, who is now a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, put the franchise on the map along with the drafting of Blake Griffin. In his six seasons as a Clipper, Paul averaged 18.8 points and 9.8 assists per contest. Paul is currently seventh in NBA history in career assists.
Though postseason success has often alluded Paul’s teams, he remains a future Hall-of-Famer. Paul is a 10 time NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star game MVP in 2013, eight-time all NBA (four as a first-teamer), nine-time NBA All-Defense, six-time NBA steals leader and four-time NBA assist leader. The Paul-to-Griffin tandem was known as “Lob City.”
Shooting guard: Randy Smith
Smith had two different stints (1971-1979; 1982-1983) with the franchise when they were known as both the Buffalo Braves and San Diego Clippers. Smith brought an above the rim style of play along with some of his contemporaries at the time, most notably Julius Erving. Smith also brought a ball movement approach that is often seen in today's game.
Smith was a two-time All-Star, All-Star game MVP in 1978 and All-NBA second team in 1978. Smith had stretches for consecutive seasons averaging over 20 points per contest and his career average is 16.7 points per game.
Small forward: Bob Kauffman
Kaufman played four seasons (1970-1974) when the franchise was known as the Buffalo Braves. Kaufman throughout his career played a mixture of small forward, power forward and center. His legacy was being among the first players to pioneer blue collar basketball. He constantly worked hard for his shots and injuries shortened his career.
In a Braves uniform, he averaged 15.9 points of 9.2 rebounds per contest. While Kaufman's career with the Braves was only four seasons, he was an All-Star in three of those years. Part of Kauffman’s legacy was also that he was the first star player that the Braves had.
Power forward: Blake Griffin
Griffin, who is now a member of the Detroit Pistons, had some injury-plagued seasons but the Clippers drafting him with the No. 1 overall pick and acquiring Paul in a trade put the franchise on a level of relevance that had not been seen for a long time, if not ever. Griffin gave some spectacular highlights but was also a skilled passer.
Griffin was the second fastest player to reach 8,500 points, 4,000 rebounds and 1,500 assists in his career. Griffin is a six-time All-Star, five-time all NBA (three second-team, two third-team), and Rookie of the Year in 2011.
Center: Bob McAdoo
McAdoo’s style was considered modern for his time. While he was 6-9, he was adept at taking perimeter jump shots, which in his prime made him nearly unstoppable on offense. Those are commonly seen traits in today's game.
McAdoo played only four of his 15 NBA seasons for the Buffalo Braves but his time with the franchise was exceedingly impactful. He was the NBA MVP in 1976, an All-Star in two of his seasons with the Braves, All NBA first-team in 1975 and Rookie of the Year in 1973. Those feats alone are enough to put him on this team's starting lineup.
Bench
Elton Brand: After a successful first two seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, Brand enjoyed an outstanding seven-year run with the Clippers after the team acquired him in the trade. In a Clippers uniform, Brand was an All-Star twice. In 2005-2006, Brand led the Clippers to a 45-37 record, at the time the third-best in franchise history and the first playoff victory since the franchise moved to Los Angeles. In a Clippers uniform, Brand averaged a double-double 20.3 points 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 block shots.
Jamal Crawford: In Crawford's five seasons with the Clippers, he brought a lot of energy off the bench. Crawford won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award on three occasions, two as a Clipper. In his time with the franchise, Crawford averaged 15.3 points per game.
Gary Grant: In his eight seasons with the Clippers, Grant earned the nickname “The General.” Grant might not have been a spectacular point guard but he knew how to lead a team. Grant averaged double figures in each of his first two seasons with the Clippers. He finished his career with the second most steals in team history and seventh and games played.
Ron Harper: Harper is known mostly for helping the Chicago Bulls win three championships and the Los Angeles Lakers win two. However, in Harper's five seasons (1989-1994) with the Clippers he was one of very few star players during his time with the franchise. Harper averaged slightly under 20 points per game in his time with the Clippers but frequently cites his time with the franchise as being pivotal to him playing for future championship teams.
DeAndre Jordan: Jordan, who is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, spent 10 seasons with the Clippers as a stalwart defender. He was an NBA All-Star in 2016, two-time All NBA Defensive first team and twice led the NBA in rebounding. Jordan's defensive play has even been compared to Bill Russell, a Hall of Fame center. Russell is considered by many one of the greatest defensive players and overall players in NBA history.
Chris Kaman: In Kaman's nine seasons with the Clippers, he averaged double-figure scoring in six of them. His lone All Star season was 2010. He averaged 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds as a Clipper.
Corey Maggette: Maggette played eight easons with the Clippers and while he never earned any All-Star recognition he was a solid all-around player. Maggette helped the Clippers defeat the Denver Nuggets in the 2006 NBA playoffs which marked the first playoff win since the franchise moved to Los Angeles. Maggette’s forte was driving to the basket and creating contact. In his career as a Clipper, Maggette averaged 15.8 points per contest.
Danny Manning: Though Manning is known more for his career at the college level at the University of Kansas, where he was one of the best players in college basketball history, his NBA career was also pretty solid. Manning played 15 seasons in the NBA with his first six coming with the Clippers. Manning's only two All-Star Seasons came with the franchise. As a Clipper, Manning averaged 19.1 points per contest and 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.
Norm Nixon: Before being traded to the Clippers, Nixon helped the Lakers win two NBA championships. He earned an All-Star nod with each team. Nixon played six seasons with the Clippers, two of which he missed with knee and Achilles injuries, but he made a significant impact. In a Clippers uniform, he averaged 16.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest.
Loy Vaught: Vaught played eight of his 11 Seasons with the Clippers. In his career as a Clipper, he averaged 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Vaught average double figures for four consecutive seasons, during that stretch he was one of the more consistent but underappreciated forwards in the NBA.
Head coach: Doc Rivers. This choice is a very easy one to make and it's not just because no coach in franchise history has led the Clippers two more victories. Including the 2019-2020 season, Rivers has led the franchise to the postseason in six of his seven years at the helm. Though he has yet to lead the franchise to the Western Conference Finals, the fact that he has made a perennial loser into a perennial winner is significant in itself. Rivers’ biggest issue, as is the case with the rest of the Western Conference in the 2010s, was the greatness of the Golden State Warriors, who appeared in five straight NBA Finals, winning three.
Team: 2014-2015. This is yet another very easy choice. This version of the Clippers was their best chance to win an NBA title. The Clippers went 56-26 that season, garnering the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. In the first round, the Clippers outlasted the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs 4-3. What must haunt Clipper fans to this day, however, was blowing a 3-1 series lead in the semifinals to the Houston Rockets only to lose four games to three. Granted, the Clippers would have been hard-pressed to beat the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors but it would have been nice if they got by the Rockets to find out.
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