2003-04

New Head Coach Mike Dunleavy began his first campaign at the helm of the Clippers amid a flurry of offseason activity. Lamar Odom, Eric Piatkowski, Andre Miller, and Michael Olowokandi were lost to free agency, while Elton Brand and Corey Maggette were signed to long-term contracts. Dunleavy responded by focusing his offense around his Big Three of Brand, Maggette and Guard Quentin Richardson. One of the top 1-2-3 punches in the NBA, they led the Clippers to a solid four game winning streak in November and combined for 57.9 ppg and 22.6 rpg for the season. Unfortunately, as in the year before, injuries reared an ugly head for the Clippers. The team ranked 6th overall in games lost to injury/illness in 2003-04 with a staggering 283. Los Angeles was only at full strength for 36 of their 82 games. However, the season still held many bright spots, as Richardson and Brand were both recognized as Western Conference Player of the Week in November and January and Richardson's 44 points against the Nuggets on New Year's Eve made him the first Clipper to eclipse 40 points since Dominique Wilkins recorded 42 in 1993-94. Rookie Chris Kaman also showed flashes of brilliance, and was the only Clipper to appear in all 82 games. Yet despite injuries and free agents lost before the season, Los Angeles improved on 2002-03's record by finishing the year at 28-54.