Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers trace their roots to 1970, when the Buffalo Braves were established as one of three expansion franchises joining the NBA alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. The Braves played their early seasons at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York, never finding sustained success despite flashes of individual brilliance — most notably Bob McAdoo, who won three consecutive scoring titles (1974–1976) and the 1975 NBA MVP Award during his time in Buffalo. In 1978, the franchise relocated to San Diego and rebranded as the Clippers, a nod to the sailing ships that dominated San Diego Bay. The San Diego era produced little on-court success, though World B. Free (later Lloyd Free) provided electrifying offense that drew fans despite a losing record. Bill Walton, the legendary center, arrived in 1979 hoping to rehabilitate his injured feet, but the team struggled to build around him. In 1984, owner Donald Sterling moved the franchise to Los Angeles — over the NBA's objections — planting the Clippers in the shadow of the Lakers at the Staples Center, where they would play for the next four decades. The Sterling era was defined by dysfunction. Chronic mismanagement, draft misses, and the specter of an owner later banned from the league for life produced decades of losing seasons and organizational turmoil. The Clippers rarely competed for playoff berths and became synonymous with NBA futility. Elton Brand and Corey Maggette briefly lifted the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2006 and 2007, offering a rare glimpse of what sustained investment might produce. The transformation began in 2011, when Chris Paul arrived via trade from New Orleans, instantly legitimizing the franchise. Paired with Blake Griffin — the 2011 Rookie of the Year whose explosive athleticism and dunking became cultural phenomena — and rim-protecting center DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers formed one of the NBA's most exciting trios. The "Lob City" era (2011–2017) delivered multiple playoff appearances and competitive seasons, though the team never advanced past the second round, haunted by memorable playoff collapses. In 2014, Steve Ballmer purchased the franchise from the Sterling estate for a record $2 billion, transforming the organizational culture overnight. The front office was rebuilt under Lawrence Frank, facilities were upgraded, and the Clippers began competing with the Lakers for the hearts of LA basketball fans. The 2019 offseason was the most consequential in franchise history. The Clippers landed two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and six-time All-Star Paul George in separate signings, creating championship-level expectations. That 2019–20 season ended in historic heartbreak — a 3–1 collapse to the Denver Nuggets in the bubble playoffs. The losses of Leonard (persistent knee injuries) and George (departure to Philadelphia in 2024) defined subsequent years as a team unable to fully realize its potential. James Harden's arrival via trade in October 2023 added a third elite offensive weapon. The 2024 opening of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood — a $2 billion, 18,000-seat arena built entirely with private funding — represented the ultimate statement of Ballmer's ambitions. With state-of-the-art facilities, a modernized brand, and a core built around Leonard and Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2024–25 season still chasing their first NBA championship.