156-703: Donald T. Sterling (born Donald Samuel Tokowitz ; April 26, 1934) is an American attorney and businessman who was the owner of the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1981 to 2014. In April 2014, Sterling was banned from the NBA for life and fined $ 2.5 million by the league after private recordings of him making racist comments were made public. NBA commissioner Adam Silver , who announced Sterling's suspension, said he would "immediately" recommend to
312-762: A 26-unit apartment building in Beverly Hills . In the 1960s, Sterling also purchased Lesser Towers , a pair of large apartment buildings in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, and renamed them the Sterling Towers (now the Sterling International Towers). In 1976, he leased the California Bank Building on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and renamed it Sterling Plaza . The Art Deco landmark
468-696: A 29.6 average). Shue, meanwhile, tried to create a team spirit by creating a common social life. By the All-Star game the Clippers had improved, winning half of their 54 games, good enough for sixth in the Western Conference. Aiming for one of the six play-off spots for the Conference, they managed to win eight games in a row, and then another five games consecutively. Playing at the San Diego Sports Arena ,
624-489: A 31–51 record. The team also lead the NBA in bench-scoring, with 37 points per game. 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 . The Clippers contended for most of
780-462: A Clipper was effectively finished, as he left as a free agent after that season, and signed with the Detroit Pistons ; at the time of his departure, he was the franchise's all-time rebounds leader with 4,471 (a number that was later surpassed by Elton Brand , with 4,710). The Clippers won the first overall pick in the 1998 Draft Lottery and selected center Michael Olowokandi from University of
936-457: A ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout , which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to
1092-756: A championship game. The franchise began in Western New York as the Buffalo Braves , one of three NBA expansion franchises that began play in the 1970–71 season , along with the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers . They played their home games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium , along with another Buffalo team that would begin play that year, the National Hockey League 's Buffalo Sabres . After two bad seasons,
1248-462: A collection of young players (including Lamond Murray , Eric Piatkowski , and Lorenzen Wright ), and journeyman veterans (among them Pooh Richardson , Tony Massenburg , Rodney Rogers , Darrick Martin , and Brian Williams ), the Fitch-coached teams during this particular era struggled mightily, although they did make the playoffs once during this time. The 1996–97 team made the playoffs with
1404-592: A dominating home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 16, 2012. It was their third win in four regular-season games against the Thunder. Chris Paul's push for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award was at its peak, and the 2011–12 season was the first time the Clippers were in the playoffs since 2005–06 season . In their first playoff game, the Clippers rallied from a 27-point deficit against
1560-521: A family and has no intention of engaging in any activity inconsistent with his domestic relationship". In the proceedings, Castro stated that Sterling consulted her on Clippers personnel decisions. Sterling and Castro reached a confidential settlement out of court in 2004. Sterling and Shelly became estranged at the end of 2012, when he moved to a mansion in Beverly Hills, California , after she kicked him out of their beach house in Malibu, California , following
1716-477: A family dispute during which he was arguing with a mistress on the phone. A week later, Sterling's son Scott was found dead on New Year's Eve, having died of an accidental narcotic drug overdose at the age of 32. On August 5, 2015, Sterling's attorney Bobby Samini confirmed to KABC-TV that Sterling filed for divorce from Shelly. In March 2016, Samini informed the Los Angeles Times that "notwithstanding all
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#17329056409971872-551: A fine of $ 2.7 million to settle the lawsuit. In February 2009, the Clippers were sued in L.A. Superior Court by former longtime Clippers executive Elgin Baylor for wrongful termination and employment discrimination on the basis of age and race. The lawsuit alleged that co-defendant Sterling told Baylor that he wanted to fill his team with "poor black boys from the South and a white head coach". The suit also alleged that Mike Dunleavy Sr. ,
2028-473: A fire sale." As of April 2014, he owned 162 properties in Los Angeles. Sterling and Los Angeles Lakers majority owner Jerry Buss were each indirectly responsible for the other owning his respective NBA franchise. The first instance came in 1979, when Buss used the money he made from selling a portion of his apartment buildings to Sterling (worth $ 2.7 million), which covered the remaining balance in purchasing
2184-449: A four-year, $ 24 million deal. That was to counter the defection of Vladimir Radmanović to the Lakers in a similar deal. Radmanovic's contract lasted another year, but both players would make the same amount of money annually, which would be $ 6 million. Cassell (widely credited as the biggest reason for the Clippers' recent success) re-signed on a two-year, $ 13 million deal, while
2340-516: A high enough draft pick to select Ralph Sampson . On another, he was fined for flying his players to away games in coach seats on commercial airliners, a violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement . Hotels refused to house the Clippers because of alleged non-payment for previous accommodations on multiple occasions. A bus company in Newark once stranded the team at the airport after Sterling failed to pay for previous trips, which nearly caused
2496-535: A losing record (36–46) and were swept in the first round by the eventual Western Conference champions, the Utah Jazz , three games to none. Four members of the 1996–97 squad are now deceased. Malik Sealy died in a car accident in 2000, Kevin Duckworth died of heart disease in 2008, Lorenzen Wright went missing and was murdered in 2010, and Dwayne Schintzius died from cancer complications in 2012. Two other players from
2652-411: A malicious and personal attack". Sterling's wife, Shelly, had co-owned the team with him since 1983, and she had served as one of the team's two alternate governors. While she was not included in the NBA's ban on Sterling, the league stated that "if a controlling owner's interest is terminated by a 3 ⁄ 4 vote, all other team owners' interests are automatically terminated as well". In response to
2808-747: A member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference . The team plays its home games at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California , as of the 2024–25 NBA season . Previously, the Clippers played their home games at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles from 1999 to 2024, which they had shared with NBA's Los Angeles Lakers , the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and
2964-498: A modernized version of the "three sails" logo. In 1984, despite the pending lawsuits between franchise ownership and the NBA following the move, the Clippers began play at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena . The Clippers finished their first season in Los Angeles 31–51 under head coach Jim Lynam . The Clippers' early days in Los Angeles were marred with many seasons of hapless performances. Despite fielding
3120-418: 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. The Los Angeles Times reported that Dunleavy had filed for arbitration and that the Clippers had cut off his salary, even though his guaranteed contract did not end until after the 2010–11 season. Although
3276-503: A nadir and the league did not have its current prestige, the Griffins saw the Braves as a threat to their own success, and purposely scheduled better dates at the arena to prevent the Braves from succeeding. As a result, after a failed attempt to sell the team to an owner who intended to move it to South Florida, Snyder sold the team to Kentucky Colonels owner John Y. Brown, Jr. , who decimated
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#17329056409973432-510: A new 18,700-seat arena in the parking lot next to the Sports Arena that would have cost up to $ 94 million, that would have included 1,100 club seats, 84 luxury suites, and an on-site practice facility for the Clippers. However, those plans were scuttled once planning for Staples Center (two miles directly up the street from the Sports Arena) were taking place, and the Clippers decided to become
3588-407: A one-year deal early in the season. 1998%E2%80%9399 Los Angeles Clippers season The 1998–99 NBA season was the Clippers' 29th season in the National Basketball Association , and their 15th season in Los Angeles . On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement , seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and
3744-408: A photo Stiviano had posted on Instagram , in which she posed with Basketball Hall of Fame player and Laker great Magic Johnson . Sterling told Stiviano, who herself is part African-American: "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people," and, "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want," but "the little I ask you
3900-536: A planned ESPN regional network for Southern California. However, as the planned ESPN West network never came to reality, all three teams had continued to maintain broadcast partnerships with Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket . This remained a sticking point in any deal to relocate to Anaheim, eventually leaving the team to remain in Los Angeles. On the court, the Clippers continued to make frequent roster changes throughout this particular period, which only resulted in one playoff appearance under Fitch. Along with Loy Vaught,
4056-557: A practice facility. In another related Times article, Odgen and Sterling were in talks to have the management company take care of the Clippers' day-to-day operations for a $ 4 million a year fee. Also at the time, the Walt Disney Company , owners of the Ducks and Anaheim Angels baseball team during that period, were pursuing at least a partial ownership of the Clippers, with the key element being that its game telecasts would be part of
4212-484: A re-energized Baron Davis, and the debut of Griffin, the Clippers had high hopes for the season. However, they started slowly, losing ten of the first 11 games, with Davis and Kaman out with injuries. However, the Clippers showed strength when three of their first four 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. Griffin
4368-696: A season, and an annual preseason game) at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim , sharing the venue with the NHL's Ducks and the Splash indoor soccer team. Clippers games regularly drew a much-higher average attendance per game at the Pond than when the team played its home games at their regular venue, the Los Angeles Sports Arena. For instance, between 1994 and 1997, the Clippers drew an average of nearly 16,000 fans per game at
4524-605: A sign and trade transaction) and Lionel Chalmers to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Sam Cassell and a lottery-protected first round pick in the 2006 NBA draft . The 2005–06 season was a turning point for the team's image; marked by several wins over top teams, Brand's performances were greatly praised, and he was chosen for the All-Star Game . Many sports writers noted the team's improvement, especially after acquiring sharpshooter Vladimir Radmanović from
4680-478: A six-year, $ 82 million deal, the biggest contract in franchise history. He matched the contract the Utah Jazz offered restricted free agent Corey Maggette : a deal worth $ 45 million over six years. The Clippers signed higher-priced veteran free agents, such as Cuttino Mobley in 2005, Tim Thomas in 2006, and Los Angeles native Baron Davis in 2008. In another first during the Sterling tenure of Clippers ownership,
4836-474: A squad of talented veterans, the organization suffered systematic injuries to many of its star players. The phenomenon was dubbed the "Clipper Triangle" by some sportswriters, a reference to the Bermuda Triangle urban legend. Derek Smith suffered a knee injury during the 1985–86 season , followed by Norm Nixon (knee) and Marques Johnson (spinal cord) the following season . The team's 12–70 finish in
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4992-504: A state-of-the-art practice facility and team headquarters in Los Angeles' Playa Vista mixed-use development neighborhood. This followed the lead of several other NBA franchises, including the Lakers , Sacramento Kings , Cleveland Cavaliers , and Detroit Pistons , in having their own facility dedicated exclusively for team use. The facility was completed and opened in September 2008, in time for
5148-537: A tenant at Staples. In 1999, the Clippers joined the Lakers and Los Angeles Kings in the new Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles . Also, because of the terms of its leasing agreement with Staples Center, the Kings and Lakers had scheduling priority over the Clippers, with the Clippers taking whatever dates that were available, including scheduling same-day Clipper-Laker and Clipper-King doubleheaders. However, in
5304-407: A three-year contract but was fired in 1994 after one season, had to sue to receive money that was still owed him. In 2001, the Clippers sued the 63-year-old Fitch, whom the team had fired in 1998, after they stopped paying him for failing to seek employment to reduce the team's obligation for payment. The suit reached an undisclosed settlement before going to court. Sterling spent $ 50 million to build
5460-520: Is ... not to bring them to my games." The recording received national media coverage and Sterling retained Newport Beach-based attorney Bobby Samini as his lead counsel in litigation with the NBA , TMZ, and Stiviano. Clippers president Andy Roeser issued a statement the following day, indicating that Stiviano was being sued by the Sterling family and had told Mr. Sterling that she would "get even" with him. A month earlier, Sterling's wife had sued Stiviano for
5616-460: The 1988 selections of Danny Manning and Charles Smith (Smith was acquired from Philadelphia in exchange for the draft rights to Hersey Hawkins ), and the 1990 draft of Loy Vaught , formed a nucleus that would make the franchise a playoff contender. Midway through the 1991–92 season , the Clippers made yet another coaching change. Larry Brown , recently fired by the San Antonio Spurs ,
5772-403: The 1988–89 campaign . The Clippers traded the rights to the recently drafted Danny Ferry and Reggie Williams for high-scoring shooting guard Ron Harper at the start of the 1989–90 season . Los Angeles had a 19–19 record nearly halfway into the season, prompting some to seriously consider the team as a possible playoff contender. That move, along with the 1987 NBA draft of Ken Norman ,
5928-662: The Cleveland Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon . The pick eventually became the number one overall pick, which the Cavaliers used to select Kyrie Irving . 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, 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
6084-595: The Grizzlies to win 99–98 in one of the biggest rallies in playoff history. They led the series 3–1, then lost two straight, before coming back to win Game 7 in Memphis 82–72, becoming the sixth NBA road team to win Game 7 after leading series 3–1, and 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
6240-720: The Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was founded as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 as an expansion team . Led by Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo , the Braves reached the NBA playoffs three times during their eight seasons in Buffalo . Conflicts with the Canisius Golden Griffins over Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and the sale of the franchise led to their relocation from Buffalo to San Diego, California , in 1978 and subsequent rebranding as
6396-518: The Los Angeles Lakers , but NBA commissioner David Stern had vetoed the trade (the NBA was owner of the Hornets at the time). 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 the team had two All-Star starters in the same year. The team gained the nickname "Lob City" due to a comment made by Griffin during
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6552-521: The NBA Most Valuable Player Award with the Portland Trail Blazers . Walton missed 68 games in his first season in San Diego due to foot injuries (which he also suffered in his final years in Portland). San Diego finished 35–47, as Walton and other key players missed significant time due to injuries. Free again finished second in league scoring, with 30.2 points per game. Paul Silas replaced Shue as head coach
6708-525: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) cancelled its plans for the following month to award Sterling for a second time with its lifetime achievement award. President Barack Obama characterized the recording of Sterling as "incredibly offensive racist statements". Chumash Casino, the Clippers' most visible sponsor during the prior four seasons, ended its relationship with
6864-474: The National Football League in an antitrust lawsuit that allowed him to move his Oakland Raiders to Los Angeles without league approval, Sterling moved the Clippers from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984, despite again being denied permission from the NBA to do so. The NBA subsequently fined him $ 25 million. He sued the league for $ 100 million, but dropped the suit when the league agreed to decrease
7020-501: The New Orleans Hornets , following 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. On February 4, 2010, head coach Mike Dunleavy resigned, and Kim Hughes was named interim coach. Dunleavy retained his front-office title and duties for just over
7176-557: The San Diego Clippers , in reference to the sailing ships seen in San Diego Bay . The team saw little success on the court and missed the playoffs during all six of their years in San Diego. In 1984, owner Donald Sterling controversially relocated the franchise to Los Angeles without NBA approval, which was permitted following legal action between the league and Sterling. Over the course of their first 27 seasons in Los Angeles,
7332-476: The Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for big-man Chris Wilcox . While the team 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
7488-600: The Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets , respectively. The team then sent Reggie Evans to the Brooklyn Nets for the right to swap second-round draft picks with the Nets in the 2016 NBA draft . On the same day, the Clippers signed free agent Jamal Crawford , formerly of the Portland Trail Blazers , and re-signed Billups to a one-year deal. The franchise then rounded out its roster for the upcoming season with Grant Hill , Ryan Hollins , and Ronny Turiaf , while signing Matt Barnes to
7644-510: 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 . 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
7800-517: The 1987 season was the second-worst single-season record in NBA history at the time (and is now the third-worst winning percentage in NBA history, behind the 1973 Philadelphia 76ers and the 2012 Charlotte Bobcats ). That same season also saw Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor join the team as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations. Nixon suffered an ailing Achilles tendon in 1987–88 season , while number one draft pick rookie Danny Manning injured his anterior cruciate ligament during
7956-541: The 1996–97 season, but according to a Los Angeles Times article published in June 1996, owner Donald Sterling turned down a deal that would have paid the team $ 95 million over 12 years. Odgen Corporation, who at the time managed the Pond, and the city of Anaheim offered the Clippers a multi-tiered deal that would have included upwards of $ 33 million paid to the team over the first six years of their Pond agreement, plus other monies allocated towards new locker rooms, team offices, and
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#17329056409978112-500: The Braves started in the team: Randy Smith , Swen Nater , and Scott Lloyd . Other starting players included Kermit Washington , and Sidney Wicks . World B. Free was also brought in from, the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a future first round pick. The 1978–79 season started poorly, with the Clippers' first win coming in their fourth game, against the Chicago Bulls . The team lost 12 of its 18 first games and dropped to
8268-532: The Braves' fortunes started to change under coach Jack Ramsay and star center Bob McAdoo . McAdoo led the NBA in scoring for three consecutive seasons and was named the league's MVP in the 1974–75 season . The Braves qualified for the playoffs three times in a row, losing twice to the eventual Eastern Conference champions (the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976, and the Washington Bullets in 1975). Despite
8424-616: The Clippers Media Day when the announcement of Chris Paul's trade reached the team. Griffin, after being told the news by Jordan, declared, "Yeah! It's going to be lob city!" In February 2012, the Clippers signed Kenyon Martin . An 11-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
8580-399: The Clippers achieved the worst winning percentage in all four major American sports leagues . On April 25, 2014, TMZ Sports released a recording of a conversation between Sterling and his mistress, V. Stiviano (born María Vanessa Perez, also known as Monica Gallegos, Vanessa Perez, and Maria Valdez). In the recording from September 2013, a man confirmed to be Sterling was irritated over
8736-570: The Clippers and was steadfast in his refusal to move the team out of Los Angeles, let alone sell the team. While the team played a few games in Anaheim in the Arrowhead Pond (now the Honda Center) for a few years before the Staples Center opened, he was not willing to move the team there permanently. In later years, he showed an increased willingness to spend. In 2003, Sterling signed Elton Brand to
8892-558: The Clippers evened the series. In Game 5, Raja Bell made a key 3-pointer for the Suns 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 series), 12 rebounds, and five blocks. Corey Maggette came off
9048-494: The Clippers from the Sterlings. Sterling disavowed having given his wife authorization to sell the team, denied all charges, and refused to sell the Clippers. He called the penalties "draconian" and referred to the process as a "sham". He then sued the NBA for $ 1 billion, alleging it had violated both antitrust laws and his constitutional rights. On June 4, 2014, attorney Maxwell Blecher announced that Sterling had decided to drop
9204-539: The Clippers over the team's relocation to Los Angeles in exchange for Sterling dropping his case against the league, allowing him to keep the team in Los Angeles and decreasing his fine to $ 6 million. Forty years after the NBA Clippers left San Diego, the Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League would relocate from Ontario, California , starting with the 2024–25 season, adopting the San Diego Clippers name as well as
9360-419: The Clippers possibly coming to an abrupt end, Los Angeles went on a tear. The Clippers won 12 of their next 14 games, including road wins over the defending champions Dallas Mavericks and the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder , clinching their fifth playoff berth since their 1976 conference semifinals loss to the Boston Celtics (the last time they made the playoffs as the Buffalo Braves) before
9516-447: The Clippers posted a record of 43–39 in their first season in California, leaving them two wins shy of the final playoff spot. It was also the first season in Southern California for long-time announcer Ralph Lawler , who began his association with the franchise. 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 winning an NBA Championship and
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#17329056409979672-448: The Clippers qualified for the postseason only four times and won a single playoff round. They were frequently considered a perennial loser in American professional sports, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the historically successful Lakers. The Clippers' reputation improved during the 2010s, which saw them transform into consistent postseason contenders. Aided by the "Lob City" lineup of Blake Griffin , DeAndre Jordan , and Chris Paul ,
9828-407: The Clippers saw minor improvement, finishing 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. In August, the team introduced new uniform designs at a photoshoot, at the team's practice facility. Griffin and DeAndre Jordan , who saw significant improvement in his two years with
9984-500: The Clippers through 2013–14, the Clippers lost 50 or more games 22 times, 60 or more on eight occasions, and 70 games once. Their 9–41 record in the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season projected to another 60-loss season. The NBA in 1982 fined Sterling $ 10,000, the largest sum ever levied against an owner at the time, after he commented that he would accept the Clippers finishing in last place in order to draft an impact player like Ralph Sampson . In June 1982, Sterling attempted to move
10140-505: The Clippers' director of basketball administration, voluntarily leaving after Sterling sold the team. Donald Sterling had an extra-marital relationship with a woman named Alexandra Castro. Seeking the return of a house she was living in, Sterling sued her in 2003 after their relationship ended. Castro, in 1999, had signed a contract that gave Sterling protection from her seeking palimony , which divides assets between unmarried couples. Their agreement read that Sterling "is happily married, has
10296-489: The Clippers, and banned him from entering any Clippers facility. He was also banned from attending any NBA games. The punishment was one of the most severe ever imposed on a professional sports team owner. Moreover, Silver stated that he would move to force Sterling to sell the team, based on a willful violation of the rules, which would require the consent of three-quarters, or 22, of the other 29 NBA team owners. In his first public comments in nearly two weeks after his ban from
10452-434: The Clippers, sued Sterling for sexual harassment, claiming she quit her job after he repeatedly offered her money for sex, and asked her to recruit sexual partners for him. Sterling countersued, and the two eventually reached a confidential settlement in 1998. Sumner Davenport, a property supervisor for Sterling who was fired in 2002, sued him in 2003 for sexual harassment for "unwanted and offensive physical conduct". She lost
10608-450: The Clippers. In February 2003, the Housing Rights Center of Los Angeles (HRC) filed a housing discrimination case against Sterling on behalf of 18 tenants. The lawsuit featured several racist statements allegedly made by Sterling to employees, such as that "black people smell and attract vermin" and "Mexicans just sit around and smoke and drink all day", as well as Sterling's alleged intent to rent only to Korean tenants because "they will pay
10764-408: The Fitch era suffered tragic circumstances of their own; Brian Williams (who played for the Clippers during the 1995–96 season , and later became known as Bison Dele) was believed to have been murdered by his brother while the two were vacationing in 2002 while in the South Pacific, and Rodney Rogers became paralyzed after a dirt bike crash in 2008 in his native North Carolina. In December, Vaught,
10920-472: The Lakers, the Kings hockey team, and The Forum arena from Jack Kent Cooke for $ 67 million. Two years later, Buss suggested that Sterling purchase his own NBA franchise, and Sterling bought the San Diego Clippers for $ 12.5 million. At his introductory news conference in San Diego , Sterling vowed to "spend unlimited sums" to build the Clippers into a contender, and he embarked on a county-wide marketing campaign featuring his smiling face on billboards and
11076-468: The NBA board of governors that Sterling be forced to sell the team. In May, Sterling's wife Shelly reached an agreement for the Sterling Family Trust to sell the Clippers for $ 2 billion to Steve Ballmer . Sterling contested the agreement in court, but the NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Clippers to Ballmer in August 2014. Sterling settled his lawsuit against the NBA in November 2016 and remains active in Los Angeles real estate. Donald Sterling
11232-423: The NBA lottery in the 2007 NBA Draft, selecting Al Thornton . The 2007–08 season started off negatively, with Brand rupturing his left Achilles tendon. Brand missed most of the season, and the team 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, also due to various injuries. The Clippers ended
11388-499: The NBA's decision, Sterling's attorney Bobby Samini called the NBA a "band of hypocrites," citing previous discriminatory conduct by the NBA, and suggested the organization "take a close reflection at their own conduct." The NBA formally charged Sterling with damaging the league with his comments from both the TMZ recording and the CNN interview, and scheduled a hearing to begin on June 3, after which
11544-443: The NBA, Sterling appeared on CNN with Anderson Cooper on May 11 to apologize, saying he was "not a racist", and ask for forgiveness. He said he was "baited" by Stiviano into making the offensive comments. In the interview, Sterling criticized Magic Johnson's character and his battle with HIV . In response to Sterling, Silver apologized for the NBA to Johnson "that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such
11700-451: The NFL's Los Angeles Rams (who relocated to St. Louis in 1995 for 21 seasons, before moving back to Los Angeles in 2016), was looking for a new professional team and began courting the Clippers, who struggled to carve out an identity competing against the popular Lakers for audience share. From 1994 to 1999 , the Clippers played several games annually (usually five to eight regular-season games
11856-654: The Pacific . The team had a 0–17 start and finished with a 9–41 record in the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season. They were led by second-year forward Maurice Taylor , who averaged 16.8 points per game, and won the fourth overall pick in the following draft, which coincided with their move to the Staples Center. The Clippers would draft Lamar Odom , and then 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 Olowokandi during his second-year. Johnson remained an assistant coach until
12012-464: The Pacific Division with a 9–41 record. They tied the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers for the fourth-lowest win total for a season behind the 1998–99 Vancouver Grizzlies , the 2011–12 Charlotte Bobcats , and the 1947–48 Providence Steamrollers . Second-year forward Maurice Taylor showed improvement, averaging 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Lamond Murray played a sixth man role off
12168-830: The Phoenix Suns in a seven-game semifinals. In the lockout-shortened 2011–2012 season they made the playoffs with the best winning percentage in their history (.606) with 40 wins in 66 games and they won their first round series against the Memphis Grizzlies, 4–3, before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs, 4–0, in the conference semi-finals. Led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul , the Clippers posted two more winning campaigns in 2012–13 and 2013–14 , setting new franchise records for regular-season wins with 56 and 57, respectively, but won just one playoff series combined. Sterling rebuffed numerous offers from other cities to relocate
12324-458: The Pond, while in Los Angeles, they drew in the neighborhood of 9,200 per home game. Anaheim officials and the Clippers had had on-going talks about moving to Anaheim full-time years before the Pond was eventually built, as Donald Sterling was pursuing options to play elsewhere in the Los Angeles metropolitan region if there was not a replacement for the Sports Arena being built. The Clippers, however, nearly moved to Anaheim permanently in time for
12480-520: The Sails. San Diego team officials did not think "Braves" was a proper representative nickname for the club in San Diego, and a local naming contest ultimately decided on "Clippers", in reference to the city being known for the great sailing ships that passed through San Diego Bay . The first head coach of the Clippers was chosen to be Gene Shue , a respected tactician. He preferred a fast playing style with many scoring opportunities. Only three players from
12636-457: The Western Conference to make the playoffs. This was a record for the most victories in a single season since the franchise moved to California. It was the fourth playoff appearance for the Clippers with Sterling as owner and it was also only the second winning season in his tenure. They beat the Denver Nuggets in the first round for the team's first playoff series win since 1976 before losing to
12792-424: The backs of buses. The seminal ads read: "My Promise: I will make you proud of the Clippers". Unlike Buss' instant success with the Lakers (including winning an NBA championship in his first season as owner, 1979–80), Sterling and his Clippers struggled through many lackluster seasons, and they did not have their first winning season until the 1991–92 season, 11 years into his ownership. In Sterling's 33 years of owning
12948-531: 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. However, 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' playoff run. The 2006 off-season started as the team drafted Paul Davis in
13104-744: The bench, and Lorenzen Wright averaged 6.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Following the season, Murray was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers , while Rogers signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns , Wright was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks , Douglas re-signed with the New Jersey Nets , Martin signed with the Sacramento Kings , and Pooh Richardson was released to free agency. Roster Last transaction: 2009-10-04 Player Statistics Citation: The Clippers have been involved in
13260-565: The bench, averaging 12.2 points per game. In addition, three-point specialist Eric Piatkowski contributed 10.5 points per game, while Nesby provided the team with 10.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, and Olowokandi averaged 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Douglas contributed 8.2 points and 4.1 assists per game, while Darrick Martin contributed 8.0 points and 3.9 assists per game, Rodney Rogers provided with 7.4 points per game off
13416-523: The best supporting cast in the league, the Clippers threatened a potential playoff run. However, poor team chemistry and injuries (the Clippers lost 293 man-games to injury), they finished with a disappointing 27–55 record. Coach Alvin Gentry was also replaced, with Dennis Johnson entering midway through the 2002–03 season . After the dismal season prior, the team lost several of its core players, with Miller, Odom, Olowakandi, and forward Eric Piatkowski (who
13572-467: The bottom of the Pacific Division . Player Kevin Kunnert argued they had the "killer instinct of a field mouse". The worst loss came against the San Antonio Spurs , with a loss of 163 to 125. Nevertheless, within weeks, Free had become the leading scorer, as well as becoming a public icon. He finished second overall in NBA scoring average, with 28.9 per game ( George Gervin of the San Antonio Spurs had
13728-692: The case at a jury trial two years later. Court documents indicate that Davenport was a property supervisor based in Sterling's Beverly Hills office, with the responsibilities of overseeing several of his apartment buildings. In her case, she asserted she was fired for her complaints against and refusing to comply with his racially discriminating and abusive behavior against tenants, his illegal eviction process, as well as his offensive physical conduct against her. Court records indicate Sterling's organization denies firing her. In 1955, Sterling married Rochelle ("Shelly") Stein, with whom he had three children: Scott, Chris, and Joanna. Joanna's husband, Eric Miller, served as
13884-586: The choice to exchange second round picks with the Clippers in 2010. The Clippers also acquired guard Jason Hart from the Utah Jazz, in exchange for guard Brevin Knight , and signed Ricky Davis to a one-year deal. They continued an active off-season by re-signing former Clippers player Brian Skinner in July, while trading for Steve Novak . The team would also sign Jason Williams to a one-year deal. However, just prior to
14040-515: The club, averaging 29.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 37.9 minutes per game. After one year on the job, Weiss was fired, Wilkins left in free agency, and veteran head coach Bill Fitch was brought in to guide a new roster of young and inexperienced players. Anaheim , a suburb approximately thirty miles (48 km) south of Downtown Los Angeles in Orange County , expressed interest in obtaining an NBA franchise. The city, expecting to lose
14196-400: The court despite Walton finally returning to action, finishing 25–57 in 1982–83 and 30–52 in 1983–84 . In 1984, Sterling, after again being denied permission from the NBA to do so, moved the Clippers to Los Angeles. The NBA subsequently fined Sterling $ 25 million for violating league rules and filed a lawsuit demanding the franchise be returned to San Diego. The league threatened to dissolve
14352-404: The decision, but his attorneys did not file an opening brief by the deadline. The matter concluded with a three-page motion to voluntarily dismiss the case. In 2017, a judge ruled that two law firms could move forward with their lawsuit to collect more than $ 270,000 in legal fees allegedly owed by Donald and Shelly Sterling, stemming from the 2014 probate action that cleared the way for the sale of
14508-472: The difficult events of the last two years, the Sterlings have resolved their differences" and decided not to proceed with their divorce. In 2012, Sterling began treatment for prostate cancer . By May 2014, according to multiple doctors Sterling was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease . He was deemed mentally unfit to continue to lead the financial affairs of the Sterling Family Trust, clearing
14664-414: The entire season, and the team limped to a 17–65 record. Rumors of a move to Sterling's hometown of Los Angeles and franchise mismanagement plagued the team immediately from the onset of Sterling's acquisition. On one occasion, Sterling was fined $ 10,000 by the NBA, the largest sum ever levied by the NBA against an owner at the time, for publicly guaranteeing the Clippers would lose enough games to contend for
14820-534: The fine to $ 6 million. Sterling was widely criticized for his frugal operation of the Clippers, due in part to a consistent history of losing seasons. The club was long considered the laughingstock of the NBA. The Clippers moved into the Staples Center for the 1999–2000 NBA season , the same place in which the Lakers were becoming perpetual contenders. In the 2005–06 season , eight years removed from their last playoff appearance, they won 47 games and finished 6th in
14976-520: The first round, this time to the Rockets. Brown left to become the Indiana Pacers ' head coach after the season and Bob Weiss was brought in to replace him. That 1993–94 season proved to be one of the worst in Los Angeles history, with the Clippers and Lakers going a combined 60–104. In February 1994, the Clippers traded Manning to the Atlanta Hawks for Dominique Wilkins . Wilkins played 25 games for
15132-443: The first time in franchise history. They lost Game 3, won Game 4, and on May 1, they won Game 5 in Los Angeles. This would mark their first playoff series win since they moved from Buffalo. In the next round, the team faced the Phoenix Suns . 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, Brand posted 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists as
15288-565: The following season, and the Clippers finished 36–46, again missing the postseason. Walton missed the entire season due to foot injuries, while Free was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Phil Smith . The 1981–82 season brought ultimately unwelcome changes to the franchise as Levin sold the team to Los Angeles –area real estate developer and attorney Donald Sterling for $ 12.5 million. The Clippers experienced poor play, as foot injuries again caused Walton to miss
15444-501: The fourth quarter. In the second round of the playoffs, the team was swept by the San Antonio Spurs . The following off-season, GM Neil Olshey reached an agreement to become General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers . Olshey was replaced by Gary Sacks. On draft night , the team re-acquired Lamar Odom from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a four-team deal that also sent Mo Williams and Furkan Aldemir , their 2012 draftee, to
15600-486: The franchise if ownership did not comply and return the team to San Diego. Sterling then filed another antitrust lawsuit against the league (for $ 100 million). This time, thanks to the recent court decision that allowed Al Davis to move the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) to Los Angeles, it appeared Sterling would win his case. In September 1987, the league agreed to drop their lawsuit against
15756-468: The franchise's new home. The attempted move, combined with the franchise mismanagement issues, prompted an investigation of the Clippers by an NBA committee of other owners. In September of that year, the committee recommended that Sterling's ownership be terminated, having found that he was late in paying creditors and players. Days before a league scheduled vote in October to remove Sterling, he agreed to sell
15912-414: The harshest treatment—while the owner sat courtside during home games. In late April 2014, following news of racial remarks, Sporting News described Sterling as "one of the worst owners in basketball for decades", while The New York Times and Forbes called him the "worst owner" in sports, and an analyst noted that under Sterling's ownership, from his purchasing the Clippers in 1981 through 2013–14,
16068-477: The head coach, "was given a four-year, $ 22-million contract ... [as he was a] Caucasian" while Baylor's salary had "been frozen at a comparatively paltry $ 350,000 since 2003". Baylor later dropped the race accusation. The case went to trial in March 2011, with the jury ruling unanimously in favor of the Clippers and Sterling. In 1996, Christine Jasky, a property management consultant for Sterling who also did work for
16224-466: The lawsuit against the NBA, and had agreed to allow the proposed $ 2 billion sale of the Clippers to Ballmer. The sale would be approved pending a majority vote of league owners. On June 9, Blecher said Sterling had withdrawn support for the sale, and would resume the lawsuit. However, Shelly was granted a trial in probate court that began on July 7 to allow her to proceed with the sale as sole trustee; she contended that three doctors reported that Sterling
16380-513: The league could vote to terminate the Sterlings' ownership. On May 23, Shelly Sterling said her husband had authorized her to negotiate the sale of the team. On May 29, she reached a deal, pending NBA approval, to sell 100% of the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $ 2 billion. Shelly also agreed not to sue the NBA and to indemnify the league against other suits related to the case, including any initiated by her husband. The NBA responded by cancelling its hearing to consider stripping
16536-516: The lockout, the NBA All-Star Game , which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern , and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and
16692-489: The longest tenure in franchise history, but was relieved of his coaching duties on February 4, 2010. Dunleavy was also the club's general manager, but was fired from that position a month later. The Clippers accused Dunleavy of defrauding the team, and he sued the club for money owed on the remainder of his contract; an arbitrator ordered the Clippers to pay Dunleavy $ 13 million in 2011. The Clippers also went to court with former head coaches Fitch and Bob Weiss . Weiss, who signed
16848-464: The longest tenures in professional sports history. The Clippers indicated that Baylor had retired from his post, and as a result, head coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr. assumed the role of General Manager, while director of player personnel Neil Olshey was promoted to assistant general manager. However, several other reports indicated Baylor had been fired or resigned, and when questioned, Baylor responded he had been advised by his attorneys not to comment on
17004-418: The matter. This prompted speculation that the team and Baylor were in negotiations to work out a settlement agreement for his departure, with Baylor reportedly working without a formal contract since the early 1990s. The 2008–09 season ended with the team 14th in the Western Conference, with a record of 19–63. They were then awarded the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft . With the first overall pick,
17160-489: The middle of the 2002–03 season , when he took over as head coach. Abdul-Jabbar remained only one season, detailing a lack of improvement in Olowokandi, who is largely considered one of the biggest draft busts in league history. During the 1999 off-season, Rodney Rogers signed with the Phoenix Suns . The Clippers also sent Lamond Murray to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Derek Anderson and Johnny Newman . However, Newman
17316-542: The move, Levin nominated a shorter commute for himself as a key reason. In 1978, San Diego welcomed the Braves franchise to the city. The city's previous NBA franchise, the San Diego Rockets , had relocated to Houston seven years earlier in 1971. In between, the city hosted an ABA franchise, the San Diego Conquistadors , though that team folded partway through its fourth season after they had been renamed
17472-494: The off-season. However, the Clippers still struggled under new head coach Chris Ford , losing their first 17 games of the season, tying the 1988–89 Miami Heat for the then-worst start in NBA history (later on broken by the 2009–10 New Jersey Nets , who lost their first 18 games of the season). During the midseason period, the team signed second-year guard Troy Hudson in March. The Clippers lost 30 of their first 33 games, then lost their final six games, finishing last place in
17628-503: The ouster of Sterling was no longer being pursued. Later in 1983, Larry Fleisher , then the general counsel of the National Basketball Players Association , stated ''in all my years of involvement with the NBA, no team ever provided as much difficulties for the players than the Clippers under Sterling." "He almost caused three strikes last season.'' The team's final two seasons in San Diego were not much better on
17784-484: The playoffs for the first time in 16 years (since the franchise's Buffalo heyday), but were 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
17940-473: The possibility of boycotting Game 4 of their series against the Golden State Warriors on April 27 before deciding against it. Instead, players protested Sterling's remarks by wearing their shirts inside-out in order "to obscure any team logo" during their pre-game huddle . On April 28, players of the Miami Heat wore their uniform tops inside-out to show solidarity with the Clippers. LeBron James commented on
18096-625: 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 2011–12 season. After a stretch that saw the Clippers lose 12 of 19 games after Billups's season-ending injury, with rumors of Vinny Del Negro 's career as head coach of
18252-455: The rent and live in whatever conditions I give them". In 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Sterling for housing discrimination for using race as a factor in filling some of his apartment buildings. The suit charged that Sterling refused to rent to non-Koreans in the Koreatown neighborhood and to African Americans in Beverly Hills. In November 2009, ESPN reported that Sterling agreed to pay
18408-405: The return of items she said her husband had given Stiviano, including a $ 1.8 million Los Angeles duplex , a Ferrari , two Bentleys , a Range Rover , and $ 200,000 cash. Sterling's comments affected the NBA, a league with predominantly black players . On April 26, the team held a meeting to discuss the incident. Both coaches and players expressed anger toward the comments, and they briefly raised
18564-416: The sale agreement. As of April 2015, half of the $ 2 billion paid by Ballmer was held in an escrow account controlled by the NBA pending the conclusion of Sterling's lawsuit over the sale of the team. U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin dismissed Sterling's 2014 lawsuit over the sale of the team in March 2016. The judge assailed it as "plainly insufficient" and "clearly implausible." Sterling appealed
18720-435: The season 23–59, and the team aimed to rebuild for the following season . Both Brand and Maggette were allowed to depart, while ten players were acquired. Brand stated his desire to stay, but the contract faltered, allowing him to move to 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. In
18876-541: The season, but won only 3 of the last 12 games and finished 39–43, five games out of the playoffs. In order to seriously challenge for playoff contention in 2003, the franchise traded Miles to the Cavaliers for Andre Miller , who led the NBA in assists in 2001–02 with 11 per game. With a seasoned point guard in Miller, Lamar Odom at small forward, one of the league's best power forwards in Brand, and center Olowokandi, as well as having
19032-455: 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 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
19188-502: The situation, "There's no room for Donald Sterling in the NBA." The owner of the Miami Heat, Micky Arison , also called the allegations "appalling, offensive and very sad". Current and former NBA players Kevin Johnson , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Magic Johnson , Charles Barkley , Shaquille O'Neal , Kobe Bryant , and Michael Jordan also condemned Sterling's remarks. The Los Angeles chapter of
19344-417: The start of the team's training camp. The team previously practiced at a local health club in suburban El Segundo , and before that at Los Angeles Southwest College . Sterling's ownership was viewed critically. ESPN The Magazine in 2009 named the Clippers the worst franchise in professional sports. Uncharacteristic for an owner, Sterling in 2010 heckled players on his own team—with Baron Davis receiving
19500-534: The start of training camp in September, Williams announced his retirement. Other mid-season acquisitions came in the form of Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins , who arrived from the New York Knicks in exchange for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley. This trade made Kaman the sole member still on the team from their playoff run two years prior. In October 2008, Baylor ended his 22-year reign as vice president and general manager of basketball operations. It remains one of
19656-399: The suggestion of David Stern , then the league's vice president, Sterling was able to maintain his position as owner, instead handing over operations duties of the franchise to Alan Rothenberg , who became the team's president. By February 1983, Stern called the Clippers a "first-class" franchise, and the ouster of Sterling was no longer pursued. Encouraged by friend Al Davis ' victory over
19812-524: The team also signed veteran Aaron Williams to an undisclosed deal. In September, the Clippers also announced a radio broadcast deal with KSPN-AM , the local ESPN Radio -operated outlet. Despite several additions, the team did not perform to expectations, with a lack of team chemistry and injuries to several key players, including Cassell, Thomas, and Kaman, forcing the team to sign journeymen Luke Jackson , Alvin Williams , and Doug Christie to help solidify
19968-427: The team gave a four-year contract extension to head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. , as well as a five-year extension to center Chris Kaman . Both extensions took effect starting in the 2007–08 NBA season . Under Sterling's ownership, only Dunleavy and Bill Fitch (1994–1998) lasted four seasons or more as Clippers head coach; as of the 2009–10 NBA season , Dunleavy entered his seventh season as Clippers head coach, by far
20124-523: The team missing the playoffs, although, they posted a better record than the Lakers for the first time since 1993. Bobby Simmons , a former second-round pick, 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 . Mobley's contract
20280-643: The team qualified for the playoffs in six consecutive seasons from 2012 to 2017 and won two consecutive division titles in 2013 and 2014, both firsts for the franchise. Despite this success, the Clippers struggled in the postseason and were frequently eliminated in the Conference Semifinals; the team reached the Conference Finals for the first time in 2021. To date, they are the oldest franchise in North American professional sports to have never played in
20436-522: The team 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 . Griffin immediately impressed in training camp and preseason. On October 23, he broke his kneecap during the Clippers' final exhibition game against
20592-461: The team to Ballmer. Sterling also sought an injunction to freeze the sale. On July 28, the probate court ruled in Shelly's favor, and granted her request for an order to permit the sale to be completed regardless of any intervention by an appellate court . Ballmer's $ 2 billion purchase of the team closed on August 12, and Shelly received the titles "Clippers Number One Fan" and "owner emeritus" as part of
20748-416: The team to Los Angeles. This prompted an investigation of the Clippers by an NBA committee of six owners. In September, the group recommended that Sterling's ownership be terminated, having found that he was late in paying creditors and players. Days before a league scheduled vote in October to remove Sterling, he agreed to sell the team, and the league sought buyers who would keep the franchise in San Diego. At
20904-429: The team to miss a scheduled regular-season game that day against the New Jersey Nets . Sterling attempted to relocate the franchise to Los Angeles in June 1982 but the NBA denied his request. Sterling then filed an unsuccessful antitrust lawsuit against the league, which subsequently filed a countersuit against the club and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena , which Sterling had a tentative agreement with to become
21060-419: The team's bench. The season disappointment extended as 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, and considered one of the worst in league history. 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
21216-422: 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. The Clippers finished the season 40–42, two games behind the eighth-seed, while the Lakers finished with a better record for the first time since the 2003–04 season . The Clippers received the 14th draft pick from
21372-399: The team's leading scorer for the past three seasons, had season-ending back surgery. Without Vaught, the Clippers finished 17–65, the third-worst record in the league. Fitch was fired after the 1997–98 season (and later sued the team to recover the remaining money on his contract), and was replaced by one of his proteges, former Celtics and Bucks coach Chris Ford . Meanwhile, Vaught's career as
21528-450: The team's modest success in Buffalo, Braves owner Paul Snyder and the league found it impossible to schedule home games at the auditorium because of the Canisius Golden Griffins men's basketball team, which had a pre-existing lease on the arena and priority on game dates over the Braves, with the next best dates in turn taken by the more successful Sabres. At a time where the NBA was nearing
21684-466: The team's roster, traded away all of its stars, and drove attendance down to the point where they could break their own lease on the arena. Eventually, Brown met with Celtics owner Irv Levin in 1978 so they could trade franchise ownerships. Southern California resident Levin then decided to move the Braves to San Diego , something the league would have never allowed him to do with the Celtics. Asked about
21840-478: The team, and the league sought buyers who would keep the franchise in San Diego. At the suggestion of David Stern , then the league's vice president, Sterling was able to make a deal to maintain his position as owner, by instead handing over operations duties of the franchise to Alan Rothenberg , who became the team's president. A few months later in February 1983, Stern called the Clippers a "first-class" franchise, and
21996-455: The team, as did sponsors CarMax , Virgin America , and others. On April 29, 2014, UCLA announced that it was rejecting a $ 3 million gift from Sterling. On April 29, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling had been banned from the league for life and fined $ 2.5 million, the maximum fine allowed by the NBA constitution. Silver stripped Sterling of virtually all of his authority over
22152-419: The team, modeled the new uniforms, which were re-designed for the first time since the 2000–01 season. 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 , where the Clippers selected Al-Farouq Aminu eighth overall. With an improved Gordon, stalwart Kaman, rookie Aminu, starting center Jordan,
22308-407: The upcoming draft, the Clippers obtained the seventh pick, and selected Eric Gordon . They also selected DeAndre Jordan , who was picked 35th overall. Mike Taylor , the 55th overall pick, was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a future second-round pick. In July 2008, they acquired Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets in return for a $ 10 million trade exception and
22464-522: The way for his wife Shelly to sell the Los Angeles Clippers on his behalf despite his protests. Sterling is portrayed by Ed O'Neill in the 2024 FX miniseries Clipped . Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as
22620-453: The years after, the Clippers' scheduling at Staples Center became gradually more favorable (especially given the popularity of the team in recent years) in their lease renewals in 2004 and 2013, with the team receiving increased profits, including more of a share of luxury suite and concession revenue. Since February 2011, the Clippers have sold out every regular season and postseason home game. The 2000–01 season brought changes. Derek Strong
22776-453: Was 25, he and his wife Shelly changed their surname to "Sterling", filing a formal petition to do so on December 9, 1959. They cited the difficulty among his peers to pronounce "Tokowitz" and the belief that there would be financial benefits for the change. In 1961, Sterling started his career as a divorce and personal injury attorney , building an independent practice. His biggest ventures were in real estate , which he began when he purchased
22932-638: Was born Donald Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago . His family moved to the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles when he was two years old. His parents, Susan and Mickey, were Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where he was on the school's gymnastics team and served as class president; he graduated in 1952. He then attended California State University, Los Angeles (class of 1956) and Southwestern University School of Law (class of 1960) in Los Angeles. When he
23088-544: Was built in 1930 by MGM cofounder Louis B. Mayer . In 2000, Sports Illustrated senior writer Franz Lidz revealed that Sterling had a 99-year lease with the Mayer estate that required him to pay a relatively small annual fee and 15% of any rental income, which was why Sterling had remained the sole tenant. "With no other tenant," Lidz reported, "the Mayer estate faces another 75 years with virtually no income from its Sterling Plaza property. By sitting and waiting, Sterling may force
23244-537: 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, and was named the Rookie of the Year as the team finished with a record of 32–50. As the trade deadline approached, the Clippers sent Baron Davis along with their 2011 first-round draft pick to
23400-543: Was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule. This was also the final season where the team played at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena , and played occasional home games at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim . The Clippers won the Draft Lottery selecting Michael Olowokandi out of Pacific University with the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft , and signed free agents Sherman Douglas , and undrafted rookie forward Tyrone Nesby in
23556-406: 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 a 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
23712-530: Was identical in length, but for five million less than Simmons', and marked the first significant free-agent signing from outside the organization since Walton in the late 1970s. The Clippers also completed the building of a practice facility (the first NBA practice facility within the four corners of the City of Los Angeles) in the Playa Vista development. Midway through the season, the Clippers traded Marko Jarić (in
23868-431: Was one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history) departing via free agency prior to the 2003–04 season . The team opted to retain Brand and Maggette with long-term contracts. They, along with Richardson, made up one of the NBA's 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. The following season again saw
24024-404: 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 slightly, registering
24180-422: Was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and lacked the mental capacity to be a trustee. Closing arguments were scheduled for July 28. The NBA was scheduled to vote on the sale to Ballmer on July 15, the same day the deal was set to expire unless Ballmer granted an extension. On July 23, Sterling sued his wife, the NBA, and Silver for damages, alleging that they violated corporate law and defrauded him in order to sell
24336-610: Was then traded to the New Jersey Nets for Eric Murdock a month later without ever playing a game for the Clippers. The team finished with the worst record in the league (15–67) in the 1999–2000 season, while the Lakers had the best record that year (67–15), and won the NBA championship. In what was supposed to be a counter-move, the Coliseum Commission, the management entity that managed the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena and Coliseum , had planned to build
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