Lob City
The oldest franchise in North American professional sports to have never played in a championship game.
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 a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, beginning with 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 the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). They are frequently referred to by their fans as "the Clips" or "LAC".
Quick Facts
- Conference
- Western
- Division
- Pacific
- Founded
- 1970
- History
- Buffalo Braves; 1970–1978; San Diego Clippers; 1978–1984; Los Angeles Clippers; 1984–present
- Arena
- Intuit Dome
- Location
- Inglewood, California
- Sponsor
- Visit Rwanda
- Owner
- Steve Ballmer
Lore & Background
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 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, the Clippers qualified for the postseason only four times and won a single playoff round. As a result, they have been frequently described as 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, 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 a championship game.
Reader's Guide
The Clippers play at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, beginning with the 2024–25 NBA season. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Key historical periods include the Buffalo Braves era (1970–1978), the San Diego Clippers era (1978–1984), and the Los Angeles era (1984–present). Notable players include Bob McAdoo, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul.
Franchise Origins and Relocations
The organization traces its roots to 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, an expansion team that initially struggled before finding success under Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo. During their eight years in Western New York, they reached the playoffs three times, with McAdoo earning MVP honors in 1975. However, scheduling conflicts at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, exacerbated by the local Canisius Golden Griffins and the NHL's Sabres, created an untenable environment. After owner John Y. Brown Jr. dismantled the roster to break their lease, the franchise was sold and relocated to San Diego in 1978. There, they were rebranded as the Clippers to honor the sailing ships of San Diego Bay. Despite a high-profile coaching hire in Gene Shue and star player World B. Free, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs during their entire six-year tenure in Southern California, setting the stage for future instability.
The Los Angeles Era and Early Struggles
In 1984, owner Donald Sterling controversially moved the franchise from San Diego to Los Angeles without initial NBA approval, a move eventually sanctioned following legal disputes. This relocation placed them in the shadow of the historically dominant Lakers at what is now Crypto.com Arena. For nearly three decades, the Clippers were defined by mediocrity and failure, earning a reputation as perennial losers within American professional sports. Over their first 27 seasons in Los Angeles, they managed to reach the postseason only four times and won just a single playoff round. This prolonged period of underperformance drew frequent unfavorable comparisons to their city rivals, cementing an identity of struggle that persisted until the franchise began a significant transformation in the modern era.
The Lob City Renaissance
The team's fortunes shifted dramatically during the 2010s with the arrival of the iconic 'Lob City' trio: Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul. This dynamic lineup transformed the Clippers into consistent contenders, securing six consecutive playoff appearances from 2012 to 2017. For the first time in franchise history, they won back-to-back Pacific Division titles in 2013 and 2014, shattering previous records of futility. Despite their regular-season dominance and exciting style of play, postseason success remained elusive as they were frequently eliminated in the Conference Semifinals. This era marked a pivotal turning point, proving the organization could compete at an elite level even if they had not yet achieved deep playoff runs or championship contention.
Historical Legacy and Modern Status
Despite recent improvements, the franchise holds the unique distinction of being the oldest team in North American professional sports to never appear in a championship game. Their historical narrative is one of resilience against long odds, evolving from a struggling expansion team in Buffalo to a playoff contender in Los Angeles. While they finally reached the Conference Finals for the first time in 2021, breaking their longstanding ceiling, the ultimate prize remains out of reach. As they prepare to move into the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood starting with the 2024–25 season, the Clippers continue to seek a breakthrough that would finally alter their historical standing and end decades of being overshadowed by other franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term 'Lob City' refer to?
This nickname identifies the Los Angeles Clippers' transformative period from roughly 2011 to 2017, defined by an explosive passing style. It highlights the team's reliance on alley-oops and high-flying plays that energized fans and media alike.
Which players were central to this identity?
The trio of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan formed the core of the group during its peak years. Their unique chemistry allowed them to execute gravity-defying dunks that defined the franchise's resurgence.
Where did Lob City play their home games?
During this period, the team hosted matches at the Staples Center, which is now known as Crypto.com Arena. Sharing the venue with the Lakers initially kept them in the spotlight of Los Angeles basketball culture.
What happened to end the Lob City era?
The group eventually dispersed starting in 2017 as key players were traded or moved on due to salary cap issues and contract disputes. This marked the conclusion of their specific three-man dominance while the team continued to evolve.
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