The history of the Los Angeles Clippers is a saga fraught with disappointment, mismanagement, and an almost mythical inability to capitalize on promising opportunities. For decades, the franchise has battled an image as the NBA’s perennial punchline, a stark contrast to their illustrious cross-town rivals. As the video above eloquently illustrates, this isn’t merely a string of bad luck but a deep-seated pattern of organizational issues that have plagued the team across various eras and ownerships. Understanding the roots of this consistent underperformance provides invaluable insight into what makes a franchise truly successful, or conversely, repeatedly stumble.
The Echoes of Failure: From Buffalo Braves to Sterling’s Reign
The Clippers’ legacy of struggle predates their arrival in Los Angeles. Initially founded as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, the team faced immediate challenges, grappling with low attendance and insufficient revenue despite boasting an MVP in Bob McAdoo. This foundational instability set a precedent for future turmoil.
1. A Complicated Relocation and a Notorious New Owner: The Braves’ move to San Diego in 1978, rebranding as the Clippers, was born from a convoluted franchise swap orchestrated by then-Celtics owner Irv Levin and Braves owner John Y. Brown. Levin, eager for a West Coast team, exchanged the storied Celtics for the struggling Braves, allowing him to relocate to California. This move, while bringing the franchise closer to a larger market, proved to be an unsatisfying investment for Levin, leading to its sale to Donald Sterling a few years later. Sterling’s acquisition in the early 1980s marked the beginning of a three-decade era defined by unparalleled cheapness and organizational dysfunction, permanently etching the Los Angeles Clippers’ identity into the collective consciousness as a team destined for hardship.
2. Missing the NBA Boom: The 1980s were a transformative decade for the NBA, witnessing a monumental surge in popularity fueled by iconic players like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. While the Lakers built a dynasty, the Clippers, under Sterling’s nascent ownership, failed to make the playoffs a single time. This period highlights a crucial missed opportunity, as the franchise languished in obscurity while the league’s profile skyrocketed. Even with a scattering of talented players like future All-Star Terry Cummings, Sterling’s unwillingness to commit financially ensured these players often sought greener pastures, a trend that would define his tenure.
Donald Sterling’s Destructive Frugality and Front Office Woes
The detrimental impact of Donald Sterling’s ownership cannot be overstated. His notorious cost-cutting measures permeated every aspect of the organization, fundamentally undermining any chance of sustained success. From player acquisition to basic operational needs, Sterling’s parsimony created a culture of mediocrity and neglect.
1. Substandard Infrastructure and Player Retention Issues: In the 1990s, the Clippers famously refused to invest in a dedicated training facility, forcing players and staff to utilize local gyms, often sharing facilities with the public. This lack of professional infrastructure was a stark contrast to other NBA teams and sent a clear message about the organization’s priorities. Moreover, the team developed a reputation for low-balling players, notoriously letting key contributors like Ron Harper walk in free agency rather than offering competitive contracts after their rookie deals expired. This penny-pinching mindset prevented the team from retaining talent and building any continuity.
2. Disregard for Staff Welfare: Perhaps the most egregious example of Sterling’s cheapness was his refusal to cover an assistant coach’s medical bills. Kim Hughes, diagnosed with prostate cancer, had his medical expenses footed by the players themselves, who collectively contributed $70,000 to ensure his treatment. Such incidents not only fostered resentment but underscored a profound lack of empathy and basic human decency from the top.
3. Elgin Baylor’s Long, Underperforming Tenure: For over two decades, NBA legend Elgin Baylor served as the Clippers’ General Manager. While his playing career was illustrious, his front-office tenure was marked by a series of questionable draft decisions and an inability to build a winning roster. Operating under Sterling’s restrictive financial mandates, Baylor’s hands were often tied, but his long leash and the consistent poor results further solidified the perception of the Los Angeles Clippers as a poorly run organization.
The Draft Lottery and Unfulfilled Potential: A Cyclical Disappointment
Despite their perpetual losing, the Clippers often found themselves with high draft picks, presenting recurring opportunities to change their fortunes. However, these chances were frequently squandered, either through poor scouting, inadequate player development, or, once again, Sterling’s financial limitations.
1. The Infamous Michael Olowokandi Pick: The 1998 NBA Draft presented a golden opportunity for the Clippers, who surprisingly landed the number one pick due to expansion rules concerning the Vancouver Grizzlies. With this prime selection, the team drafted Michael Olowokandi. Despite his impressive collegiate performance and massive size, “The Candyman” was a late bloomer with limited high school basketball experience, raising red flags about his readiness for the NBA. Baylor’s justification — “always take the good big man over the good little guy” — reflected a common, albeit often flawed, draft philosophy of the era. Olowokandi, however, became the poster boy for big man busts, proving ineffective even when healthy and failing to grasp the nuances of the professional game. This misstep set the tone for years of rebuilding efforts that never quite materialized.
2. Wasted Talent and Developmental Woes: In the late 90s and early 2000s, the Clippers continued to accumulate high draft picks, bringing in players like Lamar Odom (number four) and Darius Miles (number three). While Odom would eventually flourish into a Sixth Man of the Year elsewhere, his potential, like Miles’s, was largely unfulfilled in Los Angeles due to the organization’s deficient training staff and overall lack of player development resources. This era, though characterized by “fun-to-watch losers” and cheap tickets, ultimately saw promising careers derailed by a system ill-equipped to nurture talent.
Flashes of Hope: The Elton Brand Era and Lob City’s Promise
Amidst the consistent struggles, there were brief periods where the Los Angeles Clippers seemed poised for a breakthrough. The Elton Brand era and the subsequent “Lob City” teams offered glimpses of a brighter future, only to be undone by familiar patterns of bad luck, untimely injuries, and historical organizational shortcomings.
1. Elton Brand’s All-Star Impact: In one of their few shrewd moves, the Clippers traded the rights to the number two pick in the 2001 draft (which became Tyson Chandler) for budding All-Star Elton Brand. This move immediately paid dividends, as Brand transformed the franchise and became a legitimate cornerstone. Alongside Chris Kaman and veteran additions like Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell, the Clippers achieved their first winning season in 13 years in 2006, finally breaking through to the playoffs. They even advanced past the first round against the Nuggets, largely by strategically positioning themselves in the bracket (a move for which they were accused of throwing regular-season games). This improbable run instilled a rare sense of optimism.
2. The Clippers’ Curse Strikes Again: Despite their progress, the 2006 team ultimately succumbed to the familiar Clippers curse. In a pivotal Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns, with the series tied 2-2 and the game tied in the final seconds, Sam Cassell committed a notorious eight-second violation, a lapse of judgment that led to an overtime loss and eventually a Game 7 series defeat. This moment became emblematic of the team’s inability to seize critical opportunities. Furthermore, catastrophic injuries to key players like Shaun Livingston (a horrific knee injury that stalled his promising career) and Elton Brand (a ruptured Achilles) swiftly dismantled the team’s momentum, illustrating how quickly promising eras could unravel.
The “Lob City” Phenomenon and its Heartbreaking End
The transition from the Brand era led to the acquisition of future stars like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan through the draft, setting the stage for one of the most exciting, yet ultimately disappointing, chapters in Clippers history: “Lob City.”
1. The Chris Paul Coup: The team’s fortunes dramatically shifted with the acquisition of Chris Paul in 2011. This trade, notoriously vetoed by the NBA when it was initially destined for the Lakers due to “basketball reasons” (a phrase that remains controversial), landed Paul with the Clippers in exchange for Eric Gordon and other assets. Paul’s arrival immediately transformed the team into a Western Conference contender, leading to six consecutive playoff appearances – the longest streak in franchise history. The pairing of Paul, Griffin, and Jordan, known for its electrifying alley-oops and high-octane offense, captivated fans, even if it coincided with an exceptionally tough Western Conference landscape.
2. Playoff Heartbreak and Unfulfilled Potential: Despite boasting a top-five offense for five seasons, including two seasons as the number one offense, Lob City consistently fell short of the NBA Finals. Their playoff runs were marred by excruciating defeats: a blown 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets and a choke in the final minute against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Injuries to Paul and Griffin often struck at the most inopportune times, particularly during critical playoff series, further cementing the narrative of the Clippers’ persistent bad luck. This era, while the most successful in franchise history on paper, became synonymous with “Sob City” for its repeated postseason collapses.
The Doc Rivers Era and Ballmer’s Influence
With Chris Paul’s departure, a new chapter began, marked by a significant shift in ownership and front-office structure.
1. Doc Rivers’ Dual Role: Doc Rivers, initially brought in as head coach, also assumed the role of President of Basketball Operations. While a respected coach, his time in the front office drew criticism for perceived nepotism and a tendency to acquire past-his-prime veterans he had previously coached, such as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (in a failed trade attempt). Though his son, Austin Rivers, proved a serviceable player, these moves often failed to elevate the team significantly.
2. Steve Ballmer’s Transformative Ownership: Donald Sterling’s ignominious banishment in 2014, following racist remarks, ushered in a new era under tech billionaire Steve Ballmer. Ballmer’s ownership was a seismic shift, bringing unprecedented financial commitment, genuine enthusiasm, and a vision for a world-class organization. He invested heavily, building a brand new arena and committing significant resources to player retention and franchise infrastructure. This marked a profound upgrade from Sterling’s era, promising a new beginning for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Kawhi & PG Experiment: High Stakes, Higher Disappointment
Armed with Ballmer’s resources and a renewed commitment to winning, the Clippers aggressively pursued superstar talent, culminating in the high-profile acquisitions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This era represented the team’s boldest attempt yet to shed its “little brother” image and claim an NBA championship.
1. Aggressive Tampering and Costly Acquisitions: The 2019 offseason was a pivotal moment. The Clippers, led by President Lawrence Frank and with Ballmer’s full financial backing, engaged in extensive and controversial tampering to secure Kawhi Leonard, who had just led the Raptors to a title. Leonard’s demands, including the acquisition of another superstar, led to the “legendary” trade for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. This deal involved an unprecedented haul of future first-round picks and pick swaps for OKC, setting the stage for their future dynasty while the Clippers pushed all their chips in. The move signaled an intent to contend immediately, but at an astronomical cost.
2. Injuries, Underperformance, and Unraveling Expectations: The Kawhi and Paul George era, despite its initial promise, became another chapter in the Clippers’ book of disappointments. Plagued by persistent injuries to both stars, the team consistently underperformed in the playoffs. They suffered a shocking collapse in 2020, blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the bubble. While they did break through the second-round barrier for the first time in franchise history in 2021, it was ironically during a run where Kawhi Leonard was sidelined with another knee injury. Subsequent seasons saw continued injury woes for their star duo, leading to repeated first-round exits and a sense of futility.
3. Severe Penalties and an Uncertain Future: The culmination of the Kawhi/PG era’s behind-the-scenes controversies, including allegations of preferential treatment for Leonard and significant tampering violations, led to an NBA investigation prompted by Pablo Torre’s reporting. The resulting punishment was severe: the Los Angeles Clippers lost five first-round picks and incurred substantial fines. This unprecedented penalty, comparable to historical sanctions against teams like the Timberwolves, effectively crippled the team’s ability to rebuild for years to come. In retrospect, the ambition to build around two elite two-way players was sound, but the execution, the amount of money committed outside of contracts, and the subsequent league punishment have cemented this as one of the most tumultuous and ultimately disappointing periods in the already star-crossed history of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Q&A: Overcoming the Clippers’ Inner Demons
What is the general history of the Los Angeles Clippers like?
The Los Angeles Clippers have a long history marked by disappointment, mismanagement, and a consistent inability to capitalize on opportunities. They are often seen as a team that struggles despite promising starts.
What was the team called before they became the Los Angeles Clippers?
The franchise was initially founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves before relocating and rebranding as the San Diego Clippers, and then eventually the Los Angeles Clippers.
Who was Donald Sterling and why was his ownership notable?
Donald Sterling was a notorious owner of the Clippers for three decades, starting in the early 1980s. His ownership was widely known for extreme cheapness and creating a dysfunctional organization that struggled to succeed.
What was the ‘Lob City’ era for the Clippers?
The ‘Lob City’ era was a period in the 2010s when the Clippers featured exciting stars like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, known for their electrifying style of play. Despite their talent, the team consistently faced playoff heartbreak.
What was the Clippers’ most recent major attempt to win an NBA championship?
The Clippers’ most recent major attempt involved acquiring superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019. This era was filled with high expectations but was ultimately hampered by injuries and playoff underperformance.