5th place – Swen Nater
Per game averages with Clippers: 31.8 minutes, 13.5 points, 12 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks.
Clippers totals: 6 seasons (1977-78 to 1982-83), 348 games, 4,694 points, 4,168 rebounds, 819 assists, 179 steals, 168 blocks, 54.2 field goal percentage.
Honors with Clippers: 1x total rebounds per game leader (1979-80).
A dominant rebounder and sound scorer in the post, Swen Nater was a terrific contributor when he came to San Diego. After beginning his career as an immediate two-time All-Star in 1973-74 and 1974-75 with the San Antonio Spurs of the ABA, Nater quickly established himself as a force on the boards and an efficient player all around.
After leading the NBA with a career-high 16.4 rebounds per game in 1974-75, Nater continued that kind of impact after joining the Buffalo Braves via trade in 1977.
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Nater spent more time with the Braves and soon-to-be San Diego Clippers than he did with any other franchise. He was with the team for six seasons, anchoring their effort on the boards, facilitating fairly well, and operating from the post whenever need be.
During the early ’80s with Bill Walton, the Clippers actually had quite the big man duo, even if they’re not as athletic as the Lob City pairing of Griffin and Jordan.
Nater’s best season with the Clippers came in 1979-80, when he once again led the league in rebounds per game (15) and averaged 13.4 points and 2.9 assists for good measure, too.
When it was all said and done for Nater in 1984 as he finished his career with the Lakers, he retired at 30th all-time among the NBA’s rebounds per game leaders (10.8) and 28th in field goal percentage (53.7). In Clippers history, he finished 2nd in total rebound percentage (20.7) and 10th in win shares (28.9).
Next: 4th place - The ferocious rim protector