2. Chris Paul
CP3 for number two. Until this summer, Chris Paul was probably the most talented player in the Clippers’ history.
Take a second and think about how exciting it was when the team traded for him in the summer of 2011. Not only had the team acquired an All-Star to put next to Blake Griffin, but the Lakers were denied in getting him.
Paul was with the team for six seasons, appearing in 409 games. The team appeared in the postseason all six of those years. During his six regular seasons, Paul averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He was voted an All-Star in all but his last season with the team.
He was All-NBA in five seasons (three firsts and two seconds) as well as first team All-Defensive all six seasons.
The casual fan might just remember CP3 for his playoff failures and constant injury issues, but he meant so much for the Clippers. He was excited to be here (at least, for a while) and helped legitimize a franchise that had been looked down upon for so long.
He also hit the biggest shot in Clippers’ history.
That game seven buzzer beater was the best moment in Clippers’ history. Hobbling on an injured leg, CP3 lifted the team to defeat the reigning champions and at the moment it felt like we had a real chance to win the whole title. Unfortunately, fans know what happened in the next series but that shouldn’t take away from the historic moment.
There might have been some bad feelings after he left, but CP3 was still the second most important Clipper of the past decade.