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Los Angeles Clippers: Ranking 10 best big men of all-time

By Tom West

Dec 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) and forward Blake Griffin (right) warm up before playing against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) and forward Blake Griffin (right) warm up before playing against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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10th place – Swen Nater (C)

Clippers per game averages: 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).

Someone such as Bill Walton could begin this list. He was a league MVP and NBA champion during his career with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining the San Diego Clippers in 1979, but a two-year break from injuries and constant problems with staying on the court drastically held back his time with the Clips.

So, to elect a player who was able to provide more impact and consistency thanks to both talent and good health, Swen Nater begins this list at 10th place.

While Nater was a capable scorer and a valuable offensive contributor with his ability on the low block, it was as a rebounder that he really made his mark. First joining the franchise with the Buffalo Braves in 1977 and spending six seasons with the team, Nater was a force on the boards with 12 rebounds per game and led the league with an average of 15 in 1979-80.

’79-80 was his best season, adding 13.4 points, 2.9 assists and 55.4 percent shooting to his stat line.

Nater is one of the better double-double machines the Clippers have ever had at their disposal, and he used his physical toughness and skill in the post to earn solid rankings in the franchise’s history.

When Nater retired in 1984 after spending his final season with the Lakers, he finished 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: 9th place - One of the Clippers' few All-Star centers