Los Angeles Clippers
2011–12 Los Angeles Clippers season
Los Angeles Clippers logo
Conference	Western Conference
Division	Pacific Division
Founded	1970
History	Buffalo Braves 1970–1978 San Diego Clippers 1978–1984 Los Angeles Clippers 1984–present
Arena	Staples Center
Team colors	Red, Royal Blue and White
Owner(s)	Donald Sterling
General manager	Neil Olshey
Head coach	Vinny Del Negro
D-League affiliate	Bakersfield Jam
Championships	0
Conference titles	0
Division titles	0
Official website	clippers.com
Home Away

The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The club's home games are played at Staples Center, an arena shared with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL).

History[link]

Buffalo years (1970–78)[link]

San Diego years (1978–84)[link]

In the team's first season in San Diego, it posted a record of 43–39 under new head coach Gene Shue, leaving them two games shy of the final playoff spot. It would be the Clippers' last winning season for 13 years. It was also in that first season in Southern California that long-time announcer Ralph Lawler began his association with the club. Randy Shannon had another solid season, averaging 20.5 points per game, finishing second behind World B. Free, who was acquired in the offseason from the Philadelphia 76ers. Free finished second overall in NBA scoring average, with 28.8 per game, while George Gervin of the San Antonio Spurs had a 29.6 average.

The 1979–80 season saw the Clippers begin to struggle despite adding center Bill Walton, a San Diego native who was two years removed from an NBA Championship with the Trail Blazers. Walton missed 68 games due to foot injuries (which he also suffered in his final years in Portland). San Diego finished 35–47 as key players missed games due to injuries. Free again finishing second in league scoring, with 30.2 PPG. Paul Silas replaced Shue the following season, and the Clippers finished 36–46, again missing the postseason. Walton missed the entire season again due to foot injuries. Free was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Phil Smith.

The 1981–82 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 Angeles.

1984–2001: Moving to Los Angeles[link]

In 1984, the Clippers moved north to Los Angeles, playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. They finished 31–51 under head coach Jim Lynam.

Ken Norman, the Clippers' scoring leader in 1988–89, was a key part of the team's nucleus during the late 1980s and early '90s

They were hapless for the next seven seasons, including a 12–70 record in the 1986–87 season that was the second-worst single-season record in NBA history at that time. Marques Johnson and Norm Nixon were both injured. That same season also saw Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor join the team as the General Manager and Vice President of basketball operations.

In the 1989–90 season, Baylor made a trade with the Cavaliers that brought Ron Harper in exchange for Danny Ferry and Reggie Williams. That move, along with the 1987 NBA Draft of Ken Norman, the 1988 draftings of Danny Manning and Charles Smith (Smith was acquired from Philadelphia in exchange for the draft rights to Hersey Hawkins), and the 1990 NBA Draft of Loy Vaught, formed a nucleus that made the franchise a playoff contender.

Midway through the 1991–92 season, the Clippers made yet another coaching change. Larry Brown, who had been fired by the San Antonio Spurs earlier, was hired as the team's head coach in late January 1992. He replaced Mike Schuler, who had led the team to a 22–25 record before his firing. Brown finished the season with a 23–12 mark, for 45-37 overall. The franchise's first winning season in 13 years. For the first time since moving to Los Angeles, they finished with a better record than the crosstown Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers advanced to the playoffs for the first time in 16 years (since the franchise's Buffalo heyday), but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Utah Jazz, 3–2. Due to the late April 1992 Los Angeles riots, the Anaheim Convention Center was the site of Game 4 of the series, which the Clippers won. The team made the playoffs again in the 1992–93 season with a 41–41 record, but lost again in five games in the first round, to the Rockets.

Brown left to become the Indiana Pacers' head coach, and Bob Weiss was brought in to replace him. That 1993–94 season proved to be one of the worst in Los Angeles NBA history, with both the Clippers and Lakers going a combined 60–104. After one year on the job, Weiss was fired, and veteran head coach Bill Fitch was brought in to guide a roster of young and inexperienced players. The Clippers continued to make frequent roster and coaching changes throughout the next several years with only one playoff appearance in 1997, under Fitch. That team made the playoffs with a losing record (36–46) and were swept in the first round by the eventual Western Conference Champion Jazz, 3-0.

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 Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers, with relatively low success, were often overshadowed by the "Big Brother" Lakers. It was in that first season at Staples Center that they drafted highly-touted Lamar Odom. The Clippers finished 15–67. They hired former All-Star (and Los Angeles native) Dennis Johnson as an assistant coach, as well as Hall of Fame former Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help tutor second-year center Michael Olowokandi. Johnson remained an assistant coach until the middle of the 2002–03 season, when he took over as head coach. Abdul-Jabbar remained only one season.

The 2000–01 season brought changes. Derek Strong was sent to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Corey Maggette and the draft rights to Keyon Dooling. The Clippers' two draft picks that year were childhood friends from Illinois: high schooler Darius Miles (3rd overall pick) and Quentin Richardson, (18th overall pick). The team became popular among fans with its high-flying style of basketball and the Clippers did improve a bit with a 31–51 record, leading the NBA in bench-scoring with 37 points per game.

2001–2005: Rebuilding[link]

To improve upon the previous season, the Clippers acquired high-scoring and rebounding power forward Elton Brand from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Tyson Chandler. Brand earned a spot on the 2002 NBA Western Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement for Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers. The Clippers contended for most of the season, but won only 3 of the last 13 games and finished 39–43, five games out of the playoffs.

The 2002 offseason brought changes, as Miles was traded to the Cavaliers for Andre Miller, who led the NBA in assists in 2001–02 with 11 per game. With a good point guard in Miller, Lamar Odom at small forward, one of the league's best power forwards, Brand, the center Olowokandi, and a good supporting cast off the bench, the Clippers could actually make a run for the playoffs. However, with poor team chemistry and injuries (the Clippers lost 293 man-games to injury), they finished with a disappointing 27–55 record. Head coach Alvin Gentry was replaced by Dennis Johnson midway through the 2002–03 season.

In the 2003–04 season, the Clippers lost many of their core players to free agency (Miller, Odom, Olowokandi, and forward Eric Piatkowski--one of the longest-tenured players in Clippers history^[1]), while opting to retain Brand and Maggette with long-term contracts. They, along with Richardson, made up one of the NBA best high-scoring trios, with a combined 58 points per game. With new head coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr., they finished 28–54, due to inexperience and injuries. In the 2004 offseason, the organization and fans anticipated the arrival of Kobe Bryant as a free agent, but were shocked when he decided to accept an 11th-hour offer to remain with the Lakers.

The 2004–05 season saw the Clippers, although also missed the playoffs, finished with a better record than the Lakers for the first time since 1993. Bobby Simmons won the 2004–05 NBA Most Improved Player award after averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. As a result, Simmons signed a 5-year, $47 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. To counter Simmons' defection, the Clippers announced they would sign Cuttino Mobley to a contract similar in years (5) but less money ($42 million) to what Simmons received. Mobley was the first significant free agent signing from outside the organization since Bill Walton in late 1970s.

More deals were made. They traded Marko Jaric (in a sign and trade transaction) and Lionel Chalmers to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Sam Cassell and a lottery-protected 1st round pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. In relation to the lottery-protected pick, in order for the Clippers to acquire the pick, the Timberwolves would have to make the playoffs, or Minnesota would retain the pick.

During the summer of 2005, the Clippers announced they would build a state-of-the-art practice facility (the first NBA practice facility within the four corners of the City of Los Angeles) in the Playa Vista development. Several current players on the Clippers' lineup live in the planned community.^[2]

2005–06: Brand, Cassell Era/ Back to the Playoffs[link]

The 2005–06 season was a turning point for the team's image; marked by several wins over top teams. Brand was chosen for the All-Star Game and articles have been written in sports magazines giving recognition to the much improved team.^{[citation needed]} Just before the trade deadline, the Clippers traded Chris Wilcox to the Seattle SuperSonics for Vladimir Radmanović. They had lacked consistent outside shooting, which is what they looked for in the trade.

While the Clippers had a few stretches of poor play they were able to maintain a solid record, including posting several winning streaks. They achieved their first winning record in 14 seasons and clinched their first playoff spot since 1997. They also finished with a better record than the Lakers for the second straight year.

By finishing sixth in the Western Conference, with a record of 47–35 (their highest finish since the team left Buffalo), they benefited from the current NBA playoff format of regular season records taking precedence over winning the division, and secured home court advantage over the Denver Nuggets instead of traveling to Denver for four games as a No. 6 seed would usually be expected to do.

On April 22, 2006, the Clippers won their first NBA playoff game in 13 years. Two days later, they won their second playoff game, going 2–0 against an opponent for the first time in franchise history. They lost Game 3, but won Game 4. On Monday, May 1, 2006, they won Game 5 in Los Angeles and their first playoff series since they moved from Buffalo.

The team faced the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semi-finals. After losing a close Game 1, they won Game 2, 122–97. The series shifted to Staples Center for Game 3, but the Suns won, 94–91. In Game 4, Elton Brand posted 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists as the Clippers evened the series. In Game 5, Suns guard/forward Raja Bell made a key 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in the first overtime to send the game into a second overtime. However, Phoenix won in double-overtime, 125–118.

They bounced back with a series-saving 118–106 Game 6 win. Second-year defensive specialist Quinton Ross had a timely offensive game, scoring a then career-high 18 points. Brand had 30 points (his scoring average in this particular series), 12 rebounds, and five blocks. Maggette came off the bench to score 25 points, with 7–8 shooting from the field, and 9–9 from the free throw line. Kaman and Cassell each scored 15 points. The Clippers lost the seventh game 127–107. General Manager (and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member) Elgin Baylor won the NBA Executive of the Year award for leading the Clippers to the playoffs.

2006–2009: Another period of struggle[link]

The 2006 off-season started as the team drafted Paul Davis in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft, as the 34th overall pick. The pick was acquired by the Clippers by way of a 2004 trade for Melvin Ely. The team also drafted Guillermo Diaz from the as the 52nd overall pick. While Davis signed with the team, Diaz decided to play overseas. However, the team still holds his draft rights.

Meanwhile in free agency they signed Tim Thomas away from divisional Phoenix, in a four-year, $24 million deal. That was to counter the defection of Vladimir Radmanović to the Lakers in a similar deal, except Radmanovic signed for an extra year, but both players would make the same amount of money annually, which would be $6 million.

Also Sam Cassell (widely credited as the biggest reason for the Clippers' recent success) signed a two-year, $13 million deal. Cassell stated that once he retired he would like to join the Clippers' coaching staff under Mike Dunleavy, Sr. Also the team signed veteran Aaron Williams to an undisclosed deal.

In September, the Clippers announced a radio broadcast deal with KSPN-AM, the local ESPN Radio-operated outlet. The team did not perform to expectations,compared to the previous season. A lot of this had been attributed to lack of team chemistry and injuries to several key players, including Cassell, Thomas, Livingston, and Kaman. Players such as Luke Jackson, Alvin Williams, and Doug Christie were signed to 10-day contracts to help solidify the team's bench.

Adding to the disappointment of the 2006–07 season, Shaun Livingston suffered a dislocated left knee in which he tore every ligament in his knee. This was one of the most devastating injuries that season that left him a player that would never be the same.^[3] The extent of the injury was so severe, local news outlets such as KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV and KNBC-TV elected not to air the clip of the injury. According to the team's lead physician, Dr. Tony Daly, Livingston's prognosis for him to return to basketball activity was eight months (which was around the first week of the upcoming season) to a full calendar year.^[4] The Clippers, expected by many to make the playoffs after their surprise appearance the season before, finished the season 40–42, 2 games behind the 8th-seed. The Lakers finished with a better record for the first time since the 2003–04 NBA season. The Clippers received the fourteenth draft pick from the NBA lottery. They selected Al Thornton and Jared Jordan.

The 2007–08 season started off on a negative note, with Brand on the disabled list because of a ruptured left Achilles tendon, and Livingston still out. Brand missed most of the season, and they struggled to stay competitive. Chris Kaman took advantage of a depleted roster by averaging 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, but was limited to playing 56 games due to various injuries. The Clippers ended the season 23–59.

They saw the departure of several players for the 2008–09 season, including Brand and Maggette, and acquired ten players. Brand's departure stunned everyone, because he had stated that he loved playing for L.A. and wanted to stay, negotiations for a new contract fell apart and he accepted a huge deal from the Philadelphia 76ers. Baron Davis, a Los Angeles native and formerly of the Golden State Warriors, signed a five-year contract with the Clippers, worth an estimated $65 million.^[5]

After a disappointing 2007–08 season, the Clippers obtained the 7th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, and selected Eric Gordon.^[6] They also selected DeAndre Jordan(35th overall pick). Mike Taylor (55th overall pick), was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a future second-round pick.

Also in July, they acquired Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets in return for a $10 million trade exception and the choice to exchange second round picks with the Clippers in 2010.^[7] On July 23, the Clippers also acquired guard Jason Hart from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Brevin Knight.^[8] On July 28, they signed Ricky Davis to a one-year deal, with a player option for a second year.^[9] They continued an active offseason signing (and one-time Clipper) Brian Skinner in July, and traded for Steve Novak in August for future second-round pick considerations, in a deal similar to the Camby trade.

In August, the team signed Jason Williams to a one-year deal.^[10] The Clippers re-signed Paul Davis. They signed three Davis' (Baron, Ricky, and Paul) in their "rebuilding offseason" in which they obtained key players such as Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, and Williams. However, just prior to the start of training camp,in September, Williams announced his retirement.

In October, according to reports from various sources including the Los Angeles Times,^[11][12] Orange County Register,^[13] and the team's own web site (Clippers.com), Elgin Baylor ended his 22-year reign as Vice President and General Manager of basketball operations. It was one of the longest tenures in professional sports history. The Clippers indicated that Baylor had retired from his post,^[14] and as a result, head coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr. assumed the role of General Manager, while director of player personnel Neil Oshley was promoted to assistant general manager.

In many of those reports, including a related article in the October 8 edition of the Times,^[15] it was also indicated that Baylor had either been fired, resigned, or retired, depending on the source. According to similar reports, Baylor had been offered a different position in the organization, with the same salary, but with little to none decision-making power; Baylor refused. In fact, when pressed about his status with the franchise, Baylor had been advised by his attorneys not to say anything, indicating that the team and Baylor are in negotiations to work out a settlement agreement based on his departure. According to the above-mentioned article, Baylor had been working without a formal contract since the early 1990s.

On November 21, 2008, the Clippers and New York Knicks completed a trade, in which Los Angeles sent Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley to New York, in exchange for Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins.^[16] With the trade of Mobley, only one member of their 2005–06 playoff team remained on the roster, Chris Kaman. In December, Mobley announced his retirement due to a heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy discovered during his physical; although he never played a game for the Knicks, they completed the trade anyway for salary cap reasons.

On January 6, 2009, the Clippers waived Fred Jones & Paul Davis to open a roster spot for Center from Senegal Cheikh Samb^[17] (the Clippers have since re-signed Jones). The Clippers ended the 2008–09 season  – 14th in the Western Conference – with a record of 19–63.^[18]

Arrival of Blake Griffin (2009-2011)[link]

In May, 2009 the Clippers won the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and selected Blake Griffin. To clear a spot in the lineup for him, they traded Zach Randolph to Memphis for Quentin Richardson. Richardson was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith, and Mark Madsen.^[19]

Griffin immediately impressed in training camp and preseason. On October 23, he broke his kneecap during the Clippers' final exhibition game, most likely after a dunk. Initially, the Clippers' stated that he only had a sore left knee, which would make him questionable for the season opener the following night, before they revealed the break. The injury sidelined Griffin for the entire season.^[20]

On February 4, 2010, head coach Mike Dunleavy resigned, and Kim Hughes was named interim coach.^[21] Dunleavy retained his front-office title and duties for just over a month, but on March 10 he was fired as General Manager, being replaced by Neil Olshey. Dunleavy received the news of his dismissal from the internet, as well as friends and reporters calling his cell phone.^[22] The Los Angeles Times reported that Dunleavy has filed for arbitration and that the Clippers have cut off his salary, even though his guaranteed contract does not end until after the 2010–2011 season.^[23] Although the Clippers saw minor improvement, they finished with ten more wins at 29–53, Hughes was fired as head coach at the end of the season.

In July, former Chicago Bulls coach, Vinny Del Negro was hired as the next head coach.^[24] In August, the team introduced new uniform designs at a photo shoot, at the team's practice facility. Griffin and DeAndre Jordan modeled them, which were re-designed for the first time since the 2000–01 season.^[25] The Clippers' primary and secondary logos, which are modifications of the previous ones, were introduced to the public weeks earlier, on the night of the 2010 NBA Draft.

With Eric Gordon, and Chris Kaman, an improved DeAndre Jordan, a re-energized Baron Davis, and the debut of No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, the Clippers had high hopes for the season. However, they started slowly, losing ten of the first eleven games with Davis and Kaman out with injuries. However, the Clippers showed strength when 3 of their first 4 wins came from the top teams in the Western Conference. Griffin got off to a strong start, drawing increased media attention in Clippers games and boosting ratings of local broadcasts of Clippers games.^[26] Griffin was chosen as a Western Conference Reserve in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, a rare honor for a rookie; the first chosen by the coaches for the game since Tim Duncan in 1997. He also won the NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. As the trade deadline approached, the Clippers sent Baron Davis along with their 2011 first round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. The first pick they gave turned out to be first overall, Kyrie Irving.

The "Lob City" Era (2011-present)[link]

Blake Griffin

DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe

In December, 2011, the Clippers signed Caron Butler to a $24 million deal and claimed veteran point guard Chauncey Billups three days later. 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 in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, the first time in franchise history to have 2 All-Star starters in the same year.

In February, 2012, the Clippers signed Kenyon Martin. An eleven-year NBA veteran and former NBA All-Star (2004), Martin joined the Clippers after signing with the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association the previous summer. On February 6, 2012 during a game against the Orlando Magic, Billups tore his achilles tendon and missed the remainder of the season. In March, 2012, Nick Young joined the Clippers as part of a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and the Denver Nuggets. He became the eighth player to debut in the 2011-2012 season.

After a stretch that saw the Clippers lose 12 of 19 games after Chauncey's season-ending achilles injury, with rumors of Vinny Del Negro's career as head coach of the Clippers possibly coming to an abrupt end, Los Angeles went on an absolute tear.^[27] The Clippers won 12 of their next 14 games, including road wins over the defending champion Dallas Mavericks and the Western-Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, clinching only their fifth playoff birth since their 1976 conference semi-finals loss to the Boston Celtics (the last time they made the playoffs as the Buffalo Braves) before a dominating home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 16, 2012. It was their 3rd win in four regular season games against the Thunder. Chris Paul's push for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award was at its peak. The 2011-2012 NBA season will be the first the Clippers will be in the Playoffs since 2005-2006.

The team gained the nickname "Lob City" due to several alley-oop plays, usually from Paul to Griffin or Jordan.

In their first playoff game, the Clippers achieved one of the biggest comebacks in NBA Playoffs history, a 27 point lead the Grizzlies had held over them, to win their first playoff game of the season, 99-98. They led the series 3-1, However, after 2 straight losses they rallied back and eventually won Game 7 in Memphis 92-82 to prevail to the second round. The Clippers relied on their bench during that game, and they came through, scoring all but two of their points in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul scored 19 points, despite an injured right hip flexor. Blake Griffin was limited due to a sprained knee.

In the second round of the playoffs, the team ended up being swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

Season-by-season records[link]

Home arenas[link]

• Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (1970–1978)
• Maple Leaf Gardens (1971–1975) (occasional games)
• San Diego Sports Arena (1978–1984)
• Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (1984–1999)
• Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim (1994–1999) (occasional games)
• Staples Center (1999–present)

Coaches and players of note[link]

Current roster[link]

Los Angeles Clippers roster v t e
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight DOB (Y–M–D) From 1.5 !G 1 Billups, Chauncey  75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1976–09–25 Colorado 1.5 !G 12 Bledsoe, Eric 73 !6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1989–12–09 Kentucky 4.0 !F 5 Butler, Caron 79 !6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 1980–03–13 Connecticut 4.0 !F 30 Evans, Reggie 80 !6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1980–05–18 Iowa 1.5 !G 4 Foye, Randy 76 !6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1983–09–24 Villanova 4.0 !F 15 Gomes, Ryan 79 !6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1982–09–01 Providence 4.0 !F 32 Griffin, Blake 82 !6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 251 lb (114 kg) 1989–03–16 Oklahoma 6.0 !C 6 Jordan, DeAndre 83 !6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1988–07–21 Texas A&M 1.5 !G 23 Leslie, Travis (DL) 76 !6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1990–03–29 Georgia 4.0 !F 2 Martin, Kenyon 81 !6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 234 lb (106 kg) 1977–12–30 Cincinnati 1.5 !G 3 Paul, Chris (C) 72 !6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1985–05–06 Wake Forest 4.0 !F 21 Simmons, Bobby 78 !6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1980–06–02 DePaul 4.0 !F 33 Thompkins, Trey 82 !6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1990–05–29 Georgia 1.5 !G 25 Williams, Mo 73 !6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1982–12–19 Alabama 2.5 !G/F 11 Young, Nick 78 !6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1985–06–01 Southern California	Head coach Vinny Del Negro Assistant coach(es) Marc Iavaroni Dean Demopoulos Robert Pack Dave Severns Howard Eisley Athletic trainer(s) Jasen Powell Strength and conditioning coach(es) Richard Williams Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate Injured Roster • Transactions Last transaction: 2012–03–29

International rights[link]

C		Sofoklis Schortsanitis	2003 NBA Draft	34th pick

Basketball Hall of Famers[link]

Only three players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame based significantly upon achievements while with the franchise:

• Adrian Dantley, F, 1976–78 (Buffalo Braves)
• 11 Bob McAdoo, C, 1973–77 (Buffalo Braves)
• 32 Bill Walton, C, 1979–85 (1979–84 with San Diego Clippers, though he missed the overwhelming majority of games played during this time due to injuries)

One other Hall of Famer joined the franchise late in his career:

• 21 Dominique Wilkins, SF, 1994

Three other Hall of Famers served the franchise in management positions:

• Dr. Jack Ramsay, Head Coach, 1973–76 (Buffalo Braves)
• Elgin Baylor, General Manager, 1986–2008 (inducted as player, 1977)
• Dolph Schayes, Head Coach, 1970–71 (Buffalo Braves)

McAdoo and Randy Smith (G, 1972–79, 1983–84) are also members of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Walton, a native of the San Diego area, is also a member of the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Individual awards[link]

Head coaches[link]

Commentators and broadcast outlets[link]

• Ralph Lawler (television and radio play-by-play)
• Michael Smith (television and radio commentary)
• Brian Sieman (radio play-by-play)
• Larry Brown (radio commentary)
• Michael Eaves (sideline reporter and pregame host for telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
• Dain Blanton (sideline reporter for telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
• Rebecca Haarlow (sideline reporter for home telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)
• Don MacLean (pregame and postgame analyst for telecasts on Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West)

• Cable television: Prime Ticket (selected games air on Fox Sports West)
• Radio: KFWB (980 AM)

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Jenkins, Lee (January 30, 2012). "Finally, It's Hip To Be A Clip: Still think L.A.'s other team is a joke? A savvy G.M. (with help from David Stern) made the Clippers instant contenders. More impressive: Now stars want to join the club, not flee". Sports Illustrated. SI.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1194180/index.htm. Retrieved 2012-03-17. 

External links[link]

Los Angeles portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Los Angeles Clippers

• Los Angeles Clippers official website
• Los Angeles Clippers Official Fan Engagement Site
• "Buffalo, Home of the Braves", complete narrative and photo history of the Buffalo Braves
• Business in the background: An LA Clippers story

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Matt Barnes

Barnes in March 2012
No. 9 – Los Angeles Lakers
Small forward
Personal information
Born	(1980-03-09) March 9, 1980 (age 32) Santa Clara, California
Nationality	American
High school	Del Campo (Fair Oaks, California)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
College	UCLA (1998–2002)
NBA Draft	2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 46th overall
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Pro career	2002–present
Career history
2002–2003	Fayetteville Patriots (D-League)
2003-2004	Long Beach Jam (ABA)
2004	Los Angeles Clippers
2004–2005	Sacramento Kings
2005	New York Knicks
2005–2006	Philadelphia 76ers
2006–2008	Golden State Warriors
2008–2009	Phoenix Suns
2009–2010	Orlando Magic
2010–present	Los Angeles Lakers
Stats at NBA.com

Matt Kelly Barnes (born March 9, 1980) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association.

High school years[link]

Barnes attended Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, California, where he was a letterman in football and basketball. He earned All-American, All-State, All-CIF, All-City, and All-League honors in each sport.^[1]

College and professional career[link]

After a college career at UCLA, Barnes was a second-round draft choice of the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2002 NBA Draft. He was then traded that summer along with Nick Anderson to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Wesley Person, but was cut that October. He has since played for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sacramento Kings, the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Golden State Warriors, the Phoenix Suns, and the Orlando Magic.

He was traded by the Kings halfway through the 2004–05 season along with Chris Webber to the 76ers, in exchange for Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner, though he never suited up for a game with them due to knee tendinitis. He was waived and then signed a free agent contract with the New York Knicks in the 2005 NBA offseason. He was waived by the Knicks during the 2005–06 season after playing six games. He was then claimed by the 76ers to serve a second stint in Philadelphia,^[2] where he finished out the season.

Barnes signed with the Golden State Warriors before their first day of training camp in October 2006,^[3] and has effectively raised his status in the league since joining the team. With struggling forward Mike Dunleavy, Jr. placed on the bench, Barnes was given more playing time by coach Don Nelson. On December 26, 2006, he hit 7 three-point field goals to tie a Warriors franchise record.^[4] The record was broken later that season by Jason Richardson, who hit 8 three-pointers on March 29, 2007.^[5] Barnes, a high-school All-American wide receiver, says that if he had not been signed by the Warriors he would have tried out for the NFL.^[6]

Barnes with the Magic on March 2010

Before signing with Golden State, Barnes had only made 10 three-pointers in his career. In the 2006–07 season, he made 106. After joining Golden State, Matt's offense improved impressively, from 3 points a game in Philadelphia to 9.8, appearing in 76 games. He also added a strong 2007 post-season, with 11.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg in eleven playoff games and helped the #8 seed Warriors take down the #1 seed Mavericks in the 2007 playoffs.

On August 6, 2007, Barnes returned to the Warriors under a one-year contract.^[7]

Barnes, along with teammates Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis, served as a Warriors team captain for the 2007–08 season.^[8] He was not expected to return for the 2008–09 season.^[9]

On July 22, 2008, Barnes signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns.^[10]

On November 14, 2008, Barnes was suspended for two games without pay for his role in a fight after a non-call foul on Rafer Alston.^[11]

On July 23, 2009, Barnes signed a two-year deal with the Orlando Magic. Although he was able to opt out of his deal after the first year, Barnes stated that he would like to remain in Orlando.^[12] After the Magic were eliminated in the 2010 NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics, Barnes announced he would opt out of the final year of his contract.^[13] On July 23, 2010, he signed with the Lakers.^[14]

Career transactions[link]

Barnes with the Suns

• June 26, 2002: Drafted 46th overall by Memphis Grizzlies in 2002 NBA Draft.
• June 26, 2002: Traded by Memphis along with Nick Anderson to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Wesley Person.^[15]
• October 18, 2002: Waived by Cleveland Cavaliers.
• October 31, 2002: Drafted 106th overall by Fayetteville Patriots in 2002 D-League Draft.^[16]
• September 27, 2003: Signed as a free agent by Seattle SuperSonics.^[17]
• October 13, 2003: Waived by Seattle SuperSonics.
• January 18, 2004: Signed as a free agent by Los Angeles Clippers.^[18]
• October 1, 2004: Signed as a free agent by Sacramento Kings.
• February 23, 2005: Traded by Sacramento Kings along with Chris Webber and Michael Bradley to the Philadelphia 76ers for Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner.^[19]
• October 6, 2005: Signed as a free agent by New York Knicks.
• December 3, 2005: Waived by New York Knicks.^[20]
• December 9, 2005: Signed as a free agent by Philadelphia 76ers.^[21]
• October 2, 2006: Signed as a free agent by Golden State Warriors.
• July 22, 2008: Signed as a free agent by Phoenix Suns.^[22]
• July 23, 2009: Signed as a free agent by Orlando Magic.^[23]
• July 23, 2010: Signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

Personal[link]

Barnes' younger brother Jason plays football for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League.

Barnes has twins with ex-girlfriend Gloria Govan, who appeared in VH1's Basketball Wives and Basketball Wives: LA.

Notes[link]