LA Clippers: The best small forwards in franchise history
LA Clippers best small forwards in franchise history: 1) Randy Smith
The player known as the Iron Man would play the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Buffalo Braves/San Diego Clippers. From 1971 through 1979 he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history with an athletic style of play that well-exceeded his six-foot-three inch frame.
Smith was a seventh round pick in the 1971 draft, selected 104th overall by Buffalo. He surprised many when he made the team’s final roster as a rookie. He would eventually be named to two All-Star game appearances (including an All-Star game MVP in 1977-78) and one Second Team All-NBA (1975-76) in his time with the franchise.
The athletic forward made an excellent pairing, and second scoring option to league scoring champ Bob McAdo. He’d go on to average 17.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game in his eight seasons with the team.
From 1972 through 1982 Smith would play in every regular season game, eventually setting the NBA record for consecutive games played at 902, earning him basketball’s Iron Man status. The record would eventually be broken by AC Green.
Smith still sits on top of the Clippers all-time franchise leaderboard in points, steals, minutes played, field goals (and attempts), is second all-time in games played and assists, and is ranked sixth all-time in both Win Shares and Value Over Replacement Player.
Next. LA Clippers: The best shooting guards in franchise history. dark
With a few more years in Los Angeles, and the team success the franchise hopes for, both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George should one day top this list at number one and two. For now, Randy Smith has earned his spot as the best small forward in LA Clippers franchise history.