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Los Angeles Clippers: Building Franchise’s Mount Rushmore

By Mary Coyne

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General overall view of a NBA basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General overall view of a NBA basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Bob McAdoo

Robert Allen McAdoo, Jr. began his NBA career in 1972 when he was drafted by the Buffalo Braves. He started off as a small-forward because his coach, Jack Ramsay, felt he was too small and frail to play center. Later that season Ramsay switched him to center and McAdoo flourished. He finished with an18.0 ppg overall average and 9.1 rpg along with the Rookie of the Year Award.

McAdoo was known for being one of the best shooting big-men in NBA history. In his second season, he won the first of his three scoring titles. That same year was voted an NBA All-Star and led the league with a .547 field-goal percentage helping to lead the Braves to earn their first playoff berth. The team met the Boston Celtics in the conference semi-finals and lost in six games.

McAdoo continued to flourish in his third season winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Per NBA.com, McAdoo led the league in scoring (34.5 ppg), total points (2,831), total rebounds (1,155), and minutes played (3,539) while ranking fourth in rebounding (14.1 rpg), fifth in field-goal percentage (.512), and sixth in blocked shots (2.12 per game). The team once again made the playoffs, losing in the conference semifinals to Washington in Game 7.

McAdoo continued to have 3 more stellar seasons with the Braves before being traded to the NY Knicks. He was unquestionably a huge part of the development of the Clipper franchise as a member of the Buffalo Braves. He also helped to change the game by showing that a big man is capable of shooting from the outside – a strategy that hadn’t yet been developed in the league.

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