Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers play in the Pacific Division of the NBA's Western Conference. For a listing of teams and their divisions, see NBA Teams. The Los Angeles Clippers were established in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves by owner Paul Snyder. They were part of the expansion movement which also included the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers. In 1978, the team re-located to San Diego and became the San Diego Clippers. In 1982, with ticket sales down new owner Donald Sterling moved the team again to Los Angeles.

Despite the fact that Los Angeles already had a signature team in the Lakers, Sterling saw the financial potential of placing a team in Los Angeles. Their first home in Los Angeles was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. They would later move to the Staples Center where they would share the home with the Los Angeles Lakers.During the tenure in Los Angeles the Clippers have been mired in disappointment and poor play. Although they have had exceptional players such as Danny Manning, Elton Brand, and Ron Harper the team has rarely reached the playoffs and have been unable to ever win a division, a conference title or a Championship in it's entire history.

After a lack luster 2008-2009 season where the Los Angeles Clippers win-loss record was a dismal 19-63, the biggest story of 2009 for them was winning the 2009 NBA Lottery giving which gave them the top pick.http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/los-angeles-clippers/team/profile/09/12 With the opportunity to make the first selection of the 2009 NBA Lottery they choose University of Oklahoma, 6’10” power forward Blake Griffin. Griffin was among 49 early entry players into the 2009 NBA Draft. Griffin won various awards his sophomore year at the University of Oklahoma including National Player of the Year.http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2009/06/16/49-early-entry-candidates-in-NBA-draft/UPI-64601245176571/ Griffin’s first season with the Clippers was over before it even started due to a stress factor of his left knee cap that happened in October during the teams last preseason game. In late December, Griffin had been medically cleared to increase his workout level. Shortly thereafter it was determined that his injury would require immediate surgery. It was anticipated at that time that he would be unable to play for at lease four to six months, which means he will effectively be missing is whole first season in the NBA. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/01/clippers-nba-blake-griffin.html