The Los Angeles Clippers have become a powerhouse in the NBA over the course of their existence. From winning championship rings and multiple division trophies, to being dubbed as the best team in the west, the Clippers have established themselves as a legitimate championship contender year in and year out. In this blog, we are going to discuss the history, success and overall impact of the Los Angeles Clippers on the NBA. Discover more here at S888 PH.
The Early Years
The Los Angeles Clippers were originally founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, an expansion team based in Buffalo, New York. The team struggled in its early years, winning only a single division title during their seven-year stay in Buffalo. After the 1977-78 season, the team relocated to San Diego, California and changed their name to the San Diego Clippers.
The San Diego Clippers went through some tumultuous years during their stay in San Diego. The team was simply unable to get over the hump, as they were perennially at the bottom of their division and the conference. The only real success that the team was able to have during their time in San Diego was a trip to the playoffs in 1979.
The Los Angeles Years
In 1984, the San Diego Clippers relocated to Los Angeles and changed their name to the Los Angeles Clippers. The team made an immediate impact in Los Angeles, as they advanced to the playoffs in their first season in LA. The Clippers would go on to make the playoffs in the following season, and even made the Western Conference Finals in the 1987-88 season.
However, the success of the Clippers in the late 80's was short-lived, as the team endured an 11-year playoff drought from 1988 to 1999. The Clippers were one of the worst franchises in the NBA during this period, as they suffered from poor management, lack of resources and off-court controversies.
The Post-2000 Era
The Clippers fortunes began to change in the year 2000, when the team was purchased by real estate mogul Donald Sterling. Under Sterling's ownership, the Clippers began to make improvements both on and off the court. The team acquired future hall of famer Elton Brand, drafted star point guard Chris Paul, and even managed to make the playoffs during the 2005-06 season.
The team's fortunes would skyrocket with the arrival of point guard Chris Paul in 2011. Paul immediately turned the Clippers into a legitimate championship contender, as he was able to lead the team to the playoffs in each of his six seasons in Los Angeles. The Clippers even made the Western Conference Finals in the 2013-14 season, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.
The Controversial Donald Sterling Era
The Donald Sterling Era of the Los Angeles Clippers was not without its share of controversy. Sterling was cited with multiple acts of racial discrimination, including accusations of hateful and derogatory comments made towards African-American players. Sterling was eventually banned from the NBA for life and forced to sell the Clippers for $2 billion.
The Steve Ballmer Era
After Donald Sterling was forced to sell the Clippers in 2014, the team was purchased by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion. Ballmer immediately made a positive impact on the franchise, as he was able to quickly turn the Clippers into a championship contender and a top destination for free agents. Under Ballmer's ownership, the Clippers made the playoffs in all but one season and even managed to make the Western Conference semifinals in the 2019-20 season.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Clippers have established themselves as one of the top teams in the NBA under the management of Steve Ballmer. The team has made the playoffs in every season since 2014 and is currently one of the favorites to win the championship. With an exciting team of young stars and veterans, the Clippers are poised to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season. With that being said, why not try your luck with S888 Casino Online Philippines? Who knows? You may just be the next big winner.
