Lob City

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Lore & Background

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—the franchise's first division titles since winning one in 1975 as the Buffalo Braves. 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.

In Their Own Story

The arena hums with anticipation. A pass arcs high into the air, a perfect spiral. Mid-air, two figures collide in unison—one launching the ball, one meeting it. The net snaps as the crowd erupts. This was the signature of the Lob City era, a high-flying offense that made the Clippers a must-watch team. From 2012 to 2017, the team made six straight playoff appearances, winning back-to-back Pacific Division titles in 2013 and 2014 for the first time in franchise history. However, the postseason often ended in disappointment, with the team frequently eliminated in the Conference Semifinals. The era proved the franchise could compete at an elite level, setting the stage for their first conference finals appearance in 2021.

Reader's Guide

The physical heart of Lob City was the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, which the Clippers shared with the Lakers from 1999 to 2024. The team's identity was built around the alley-oop, a play that became their trademark. The key figures were Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul, who together formed the core that led the team to six consecutive playoff appearances from 2012 to 2017. This era marked a turning point for the franchise, which had been frequently described as a perennial loser in American professional sports, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the historically successful Lakers. The Lob City years established a standard for competitive intensity that current fans still reference when evaluating modern rosters.

Did You Know?

• The Clippers won two consecutive division titles in 2013 and 2014—the franchise's first division titles since winning one in 1975 as the Buffalo Braves.
• The team qualified for the playoffs in six consecutive seasons from 2012 to 2017.
• The Clippers reached the conference finals for the first time in 2021.
• The Clippers are one of the oldest franchises in North American professional sports to have never played in a championship game, alongside teams like the Seattle Mariners (founded 1977) and Buffalo Sabres (founded 1970).

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.