Oct 13, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Corey Maggette (14) is introduced prior to a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
After creating our top five lists for the best point guards and shooting guards to ever play for the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s time to look at the best small forwards in franchise history. Ranging from the 1980s to the 2000s, there are players in this list that not only standout due to their performance for a franchise that has generally struggled, but for their obvious talent that may have been overlooked or forgotten.
So, to create a concise list without crossing into the organisation’s time as the Buffalo Braves, the players in this list will have played since the team became the L.A. Clippers in 1984. Meaning that some great wings such as Randy Smith — who played for the Braves from 1971-1978 at shooting guard and small forward — won’t be included. Although, he’s at least worth an honorable mention here after he had three seasons averaging 20+ points per game (one with 24.6) and two All-Star appearances.
Another player that has to be mentioned is Dominique Wilkins. You’ll know him as one of the greatest scorers and dunkers in NBA history, and you’ll remember him as a 12-year member of the Atlanta Hawks. However, for a mere 25 games in 1994, he actually played for the Clippers after being traded.
During his brief spell in L.A., Wilkins put up 29.1 points and 7 rebounds per game. Yet, no matter how legendary his talent and athleticism is, he simply wasn’t a member of the team long enough to be included in this list.
That being said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great players from Clippers history to look at.
Let’s begin with their best three point marksman.
Next: Eric Piatkowski
No. 5: Eric Piatkowski
When it comes to the best three point shooters in Clippers history, Eric Piatkowski is ahead by a mile. He may have never reached 30 minutes per game during his nine seasons with the team, and he was never a high volume scorer, but his sharpshooting and efficiency was always valuable.
For a Clippers team who had been so bad for so long, you can rarely go wrong by adding a prolific three point shooter to at least bury some big shots.
Piatkowski was drafted in 1994 by the Indiana Pacers, and was traded — along with Pooh Richardson and Malik Sealy — just one day later to the Clippers in exchange for Mark Jackson and Greg Minor. From then on, Piatkowski played the biggest role of his career in L.A., as well as enjoying his most productive seasons as a pro.
In his rookie season, he got off to a solid start by playing 14.9 minutes a night, averaging 7 points on 44.1 percent shooting whilst making 37.4 percent of his three pointers. It was in Piatkowski’s fourth season that he really started to make an impact, though. His playing time reached 26 minutes per game (the first time it surpassed 15 in his career) and he averaged 11.3 points on 45.2 percent shooting 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and made 40.9 percent of his threes.
During his nine seasons with the Clippers, Piatkowski played in 616 games which ranks him third in franchise history in that category, whilst using his deadly accuracy to establish himself as the best sharpshooter to ever play for the team.
After leaving the Clippers in 2003, Eric Piatkowksi finished his career in L.A. ranking 1st in made three point field goals; and it wasn’t even close. He made 738 threes, which is 309 more than 2nd place Jamal Crawford. To cap it all off, Piatkowski even earned the 10th best offensive rating of any player in Clippers history with 114.1.
Next: Charles Smith
No. 4: Charles Smith
When it comes to 4th place on this list, Charles Smith is an interesting choice because of the fact that he spent his four year career with the Clippers playing at both small and power forward. However, seeing as Smith spent two of those seasons at small forward (per Basketball Reference) and is easily talented enough to earn a spot among the best Clippers of all-time, he’s been included in this list.
In 1988, Smith was initially drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Clippers on the day of the draft; in exchange for Hersey Hawkins and a 1989 first round pick. Upon his arrival in L.A., Smith spent his first two seasons with the Clippers at power forward, before his excellent length, rim protection and finishing was utilized at small forward in his final two seasons.
At 6’10”, Smith was easily one of the biggest small forwards you could hope to see. Just imagine if he joined the Clippers’ starting lineup now next to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. How imposing would those three look next to each other?
When he moved to small forward in the 1990-91 season, Charles Smith averaged 20 points on 46.9 percent shooting, with career highs in rebounds (8.2) and blocks (2) per game. It was his ability to rebound and protect the rim that made him such a mismatch for opposing small forwards, because he still had the quickness to keep up with smaller players. Combine that with his turn-around jumper in the post and soft touch by the basket, and it resulted in Smith averaging 18.4 points per game during his career in Los Angeles.
After his four years as a combo-forward for the Clippers, Smith earned the 8th spot in the team’s all-time leaders in blocks with 451, whilst establishing himself as a versatile forward with a clear ability to make a difference at both ends of the floor.
Next: Marques Johnson
No. 3: Marques Johnson
Marques Johnson may have had his best years with the Milwaukee Bucks (as you can see in the video above), but he also turned in some great seasons with the Clippers. It’s his impressive scoring ability and production that have earned him 3rd place on this list, rather than a long career with the franchise — even though it would have been nice if he stuck around a little longer.
After seven years in Milwaukee, averaging 21 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, Johnson joined the Clippers in a trade that sent Terry Cummings, Craig Hodges and Ricky Pierce to the Bucks. Although, despite four All-Star appearances and recording five seasons averaging 20+ points per game, Marques Johnson is a player that few probably remember.
Yet even though his time in L.A. was brief, he’s still one of the best small forwards to ever play for the Clippers.
As three point shooting wasn’t as expected from every wing player in the 1980s, Johnson instead operated as a scorer from mid-range and in the paint. His ability to manoeuvre around opponents when driving to the basket and finish through contact allowed him to score with excellent efficiency at the rim, not to mention he could even post-up from time to time as well.
In his first season with the Clippers in 1984, Johnson averaged 16.4 points on 45.2 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. That still wasn’t impressive compared to his second season with the Clips, though. In 1985-86, Johnson became an All-Star for the fifth time, whilst shooting 51 percent from the floor and averaging 20.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
Numbers aside, Johnson was both aggressive and creative when attacking the basket, and had the versatility to post-up, rebound and pass to make him a threat in multiple aspects of the game. As a result of his stellar scoring ability, Marques Johnson finished his career with the Clippers with an average of 18.3 points per game and a player efficiency rating of 20.1.
Sadly Johnson suffered a neck injury during the 1986-87 season with L.A., which put him out the league for two years and virtually ended his career, despite his return for 10 games with the Golden State Warriors in 1989. Nothing can detract from the talent he showcased prior to his injury, though.
Next: Ken Norman
No. 2: Ken Norman
Coming in at 2nd place is a small forward who not only contributed many years of his career to the Clippers, but consistently delivered as well. Ken Norman played for the Clips from his rookie season in 1987 until 1993, and became one of the best scorers and tough defenders in franchise history.
From playing just 21.7 minutes in his first year, Norman’s playing time soared to 37.8 minutes per game the following season as his performance reached a whole new level. With career highs in points (18.1), rebounds (8.3), steals (1.3) and assists (3.5) per game, Norman had a sophomore season to remember. It put him on the map as a player who could provide some promise to a struggling Clippers team, and kickstarted his career as a top wing player at both ends of the floor.
His playing time slowly dipped after his second year to around 33 minutes a night for the rest of his time in L.A., but Norman continue to score and rebound at a terrific rate; especially for a 6’8″ small forward.
As you can see in the video above, he had a powerful physique to finish well through contact and power through taller opponents as he elevated for rebounds. He used that same strength and explosiveness to protect the rim too, as is shown by his 0.8 blocks per game during his time with the Clippers.
After all his efforts, Ken Norman ended his time with the Clippers ranked 8th in scoring with 6,432 points, 10th in rebounds with 2,916, and 10th in steals with 403.
His tenacity helped him become an all-time great in the history of the franchise, and he has the numbers to prove it.
Next: Corey Maggette
No. 1: Corey Maggette
When it comes to choosing the Clippers’ top five small forwards in franchise history, Corey Maggette is an easy pick. From his wild, circus layups, to his athleticism and front flip abilities showcased in the 2001 Slam Dunk contest, Maggette did a wide combination of things on the floor.
After spending his rookie season in 1999-2000 with the Orlando Magic, Maggette played for the Clippers for eight years until he joined the Warriors in the 2008-09 season. During his time in L.A., he recorded all three 20+ points per game seasons of his career, including a career best 22.2 in ’04-05.
Maggette may not have been the best three point shooter (making just 0.7 threes per game on 33.1 percent shooting with the Clippers), but he excelled when going to the basket. He timed his layups to hang in the air as long as possible in an attempt to draw contact, and utilized his strong, 6’6″ frame to power through opponents under the basket.
His combination of aggression, strength and explosiveness constantly made it difficult for opponents to stop him, which allowed him to make 63.5 percent of his shots within three feet while with the Clippers.
When he wasn’t making tough layups past multiple defenders, he could also throw the ball down pretty well, too. Just look at this dunk over a young Kevin Durant when Maggette was a member of the Warriors:
As a result of his constant scoring during his eight years with the Clippers, Maggette left Los Angeles as their 4th leading scorer of all-time with a total of 8,835 points. On top of that, he even ranks 6th in Clippers history with 45.8 win shares.
More from Clipperholics
- Grade the trade: Clippers shockingly land Trae Young in wild proposal
- 3 of the most overpaid players on the LA Clippers’ roster
- Trading for this player covers the Clippers’ biggest weakness
- How will the LA Clippers fare in the in-season tournament?
- Why the LA Clippers should steer clear of recent gold medalist waiver
After spending so many years with the Clippers and earning himself a position among the top few scorers to ever play for the team, Corey Maggette deserves a spot at the top of the list. By using his physical attributes, scoring ability and rebounding (5.2 per game in L.A.), Maggette didn’t just become the best small forward in franchise history; he also became one of the very best Clippers players as well.
Coming next in this series will be our list of the top five power forwards, so be sure to follow us here at Clipperholics for plenty of content until the 2015-16 NBA season begins.