The Los Angeles Clippers are considered the “little brother” of the Los Angeles Lakers, or a franchise that has been nothing but an unsuccessful rival. The Lakers are on top of the NBA world with 17 NBA titles, while the Clippers do not have a single one. The franchise’s decision to bring in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George was meant to change that, although it has not quite happened yet. With Leonard injured, the Clippers seem far away from an NBA Finals appearance.
- 10. Lou Williams – 19.1 PPG
- 9. Danny Manning – 19.1 PPG
- 8. Ron Harper – 19.3 PPG
- 7. Elton Brand – 20.3 PPG
- 6. Blake Griffin – 21.6 PPG
- 5. Paul George – 22.9 PPG
- 4. Terry Cummings – 23.3 PPG
- 3. Kawhi Leonard – 26.0 PPG
- 2. Bob McAdoo – 28.2 PPG
- 1. World B. Free – 29.4 PPG
- Most Points In Los Angeles Clippers History
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But looking back at the Clippers’ history, which stars shined brightest as the best offensive players? Names such as World B. Free, Bob McAdoo, and Blake Griffin come to mind; but where do these former All-Stars rank? Despite the fact that the Clippers will never be as great as the Lakers, here are the 10 best scorers in their history.
10. Lou Williams – 19.1 PPG
(4 Seasons, 2018-2021)
One of the greatest 6th men of all time, Lou Williams was at his best with the Los Angeles Clippers. The speedy guard was adept at slicing to the basket, creating his shot from mid-range, and also nailing the three-point shot. Despite being very thin, he was quick with the ball and knew how to get buckets at an elite level. For a bench player, he was extraordinary.
Williams averaged 22.6 PPG his first season, winning 6th Man of the Year. The following season, Lou put up 20.0 PPG and won 6th Man of the Year once again. In his third season, he finished runner-up to his teammate Montrezl Harrell in 6th Man of the Year, before averaging 12.1 PPG through 42 games in his final season.
9. Danny Manning – 19.1 PPG
(6 Seasons, 1989-1994)
A 2-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Clippers, 6’10” Danny Manning was a solid scorer through the first 6 seasons of his professional career. The power forward was adept at scoring the ball, holding career averages of 19.1 PPG and 6.4 APG during his time with Los Angeles. These are solid numbers, although it was expected because the big man was the No.1 overall pick in the 1988 Draft.
Manning made his only All-Star seasons with the Clippers, averaging his career-highs 22.8 PPG and 23.7 PPG during two seasons with Los Angeles. Both times, he was an All-Star and would not have better seasons than those in his career. Even if the power forward was not a once-in-a-generation player, he was still an effective scorer.
8. Ron Harper – 19.3 PPG
(5 Seasons, 1990-1994)
Before Ron Harper became the starting point guard for the Chicago Bulls as a role player, the lengthy ball-handler would average his career-high 23.0 PPG in his first season with the Clippers after getting traded. The following year, Harper put up over 18 PPG over the next 4 years. Clearly, the man knew how to get buckets.
Harper was not an effective three-point shooter (30.0%), but he was great around the rim and was decent from the free-throw line (73.7%). The 6’6” guard was an ultra competitor, never backing down from any opponent and making sure he got his looks as one of the best scorers on the Clippers squad at the time.
7. Elton Brand – 20.3 PPG
(7 Seasons, 2002-2008)
Elton Brand was always destined to be a great player. Drafted No. 1 overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Brand put up 20-10 double-doubles during the first 2 years of his career. However, the big man would become an All-Star with the Clippers in his third season by averaging 18.2 PPG and 11.6 RPG. Armed with a solid low-post game, Brand would become an elite scorer for the Clippers.
His best season with the franchise, and his career, came in the 2006 season when he dropped 24.7 PPG and 10.0 RPG on 52.7% shooting from the field. Brand was never backing down from anyone around the rim, and he had a solid mid-range jumper as well. Unfortunately for the big man, he would not repeat his individual success with any other team since he left the Clippers.
6. Blake Griffin – 21.6 PPG
(8 Seasons, 2011-2018)
Drafted No. 1 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, Blake Griffin averaged 22.5 PPG and 12.1 RPG in his rookie season while winning Rookie of the Year and making his first All-Star team. Griffin would make 4 straight All-Star Teams after his rookie campaign and would solidify himself as one of the best forwards in the game.
The number of defenders that Griffin placed on posters during his first few seasons with the Clippers was truly amazing, and he was a dominant force at scoring the ball. He even improved his shooting and was a great all-around star. Griffin averaged over 20 PPG 7 seasons out of 8 with the Clippers, and it is no surprise to see the former Dunk Champion on this list.
5. Paul George – 22.9 PPG
(3 Seasons, 2020-2022)
Paul George has only been a member of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise for 3 seasons, but he is already one of the most talented scorers to ever play for the franchise. The two-way wingman is an effective shooter from three (39.3%) and has shown the ability to nail shots from unlimited range. Armed with a sniper, George is simply a star on the offensive end.
Other than his three-point shot, George has shown the ability to create his own offense with an assortment of dribble moves and counter moves. Capable of carrying an offense, PG13 is underrated for how great he can be on the floor. What remains to be seen is if George can manage to make an NBA Finals appearance in his career, but in terms of scoring the ball, he is one of the greatest Clippers players ever.
4. Terry Cummings – 23.3 PPG
(2 Seasons, 1983-1984)
Drafted No. 2 overall in the 1982 NBA Draft, Terry Cummings made a big splash for the San Diego Clippers. The Rookie of the Year winner put up 23.7 PPG and 10.6 RPG in his first season, strong numbers for a 21-year-old power forward. Cummings would be great the following year, putting up 22.9 PPG and 9.6 RPG.
The 6’9” power forward was playing over 35 MPG over those two seasons, and his scoring ability around the rim was the reason he is 4th on this list. The big man would become a 2-time All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks but his first 2 seasons with the Clippers were enough to make him a dominant scorer for the California franchise.
3. Kawhi Leonard – 26.0 PPG
(2 Seasons, 2020-2021)
Already one of the greatest Clippers players ever, Kawhi Leonard has a chance to be one of the few players ever to win a 3rd championship with a 3rd franchise. Leonard is a special talent because his ability to lock down an opposing team’s best player and also control an offense is extraordinary to watch.
Armed with large hands and a muscular 6’7” frame, Leonard has a physical advantage on almost every opponent he faces and plays the game in a very controlled manner. Kawhi has averaged the highest-scoring season of his career in 2020 by putting up 27.1 PPG in his career and is only behind two players among all-time great Clippers scorers.
2. Bob McAdoo – 28.2 PPG
(5 Seasons, 1973-1977)
Easily one of the greatest players of all time, Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo went on a tear over the 5 years he played for the Buffalo Braves franchise. Before being known as the Clippers, the Braves were the team attributed to McAdoo’s greatness. The 6’9” big man was an unstoppable scorer who could attack the rim, score from mid-range, and also draw fouls against any opponent.
The athletic big man averaged over 30 PPG on 3 separate occasions, while also chipping in double-digit rebounds. As expected, McAdoo was named the MVP of the league in 1975 after dropping 34.5 PPG and 14.1 RPG. McAdoo would also win 3 straight scoring titles with the Braves and solidify himself as one of the best pure scorers ever. As a 6’9” big man who could shoot from the perimeter, he was essentially unguardable during his time which is why he is 2nd on this list.
1. World B. Free – 29.4 PPG
(2 Seasons, 1979-1980)
Considered one of the best players to ever play for the Clippers, albeit in only 2 seasons, World B. Free was a monster offensive force for the California-based franchise. An unstoppable one-on-one force, Free was adept at getting past defenders and taking flight or pulling up for jumpers.
His beautiful high-arcing jumper hardly grazed the rim when it went in, and he had a tendency for going off when he had his rhythm going. Thanks to his athleticism and pure shooting form, World B. Free put up monster scoring numbers in 2 seasons with the San Diego Clippers. Free averaged 28.8 PPG in his first season before dropping 30.2 PPG in his final season with the Clippers and made his only All-Star Team.
Most Points In Los Angeles Clippers History
Here are the ten players with the most total points in Los Angeles Clippers history:
1. Randy Smith – 12,735
2. Blake Griffin – 10,863
3. Bob McAdoo – 9,434
4. Elton Brand – 9,336
5. Corey Maggette – 8,835
6. Chris Paul – 7,674
7. Danny Manning – 7,120
8. DeAndre Jordan – 7,078
9. Loy Vaught – 6,614
10. Ken Norman – 6,432
