2005-06

The 2005-06 season marked one of the greatest improvements in franchise history. During the offseason, Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor spearheaded the acquisition of two-time NBA champion, Sam Cassell, and free agent guard, Cuttino Mobley. These moves, along with the mid season acquisition of Sonics forward Vladimir Radmanovic and the team finishing within one game of reaching the Western Conference Finals, earned Baylor the NBA Executive of the Year Award presented by The Sporting News. The experience of the new backcourt molded the Clippers from a young and talented hope for the future into a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. Cassell averaged 17.1 points per game and 6.3 assists, while Mobley averaged 14.8 points and 3.0 assists. Power forward Elton Brand responded to the new backcourt leadership with a career year. Brand averaged a double-double with 24.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, making him a legitimate MVP candidate throughout the season and 2005-06 All Star. Brand, along with center Chris Kaman (who had a career year in points, rebounds, and blocks) made the painted area a place to be feared, allowing the fewest points in the key of any team. The Clippers were plagued with injuries throughout the season, with the mid-season losses of Shaun Livingston and Corey Maggette, but luckily both players returned in time for the NBA Playoffs. The Clippers finished the regular season 47-35, the second best record in franchise history next to the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves (49-33). Their record earned home-court advantage against the Northwest Division winner, Denver Nuggets. The Clippers took the series in five games, marking the first playoff series victory for the franchise. They advanced to an electrifying Western Conference Semi-finals, losing Game 7 to the Phoenix Suns. Though short of an NBA championship, the 2005-06 season is still remembered as a great success.