LA’s draft history: Ranking every #3 overall pick

2 Nov 2000: A closeup of Darius Miles #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers looking on during the game against the Vancouver Grizzlies at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies defeated the Clippers 99-91. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

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Elmore smith (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. Elmore smith

LA Clippers stats: 17.8 ppg, 13.8 rpg

When it came to old school, knock down, drag out basketball – Elmore Smith made a name for himself. During his college years, Smith parked himself down low and demanded the ball. A few slow-footed, yet powerful moves later, and Smith was right under the basket lofting in an uncontested layup.

Outside of getting buckets on the inside, Smith was impossible to keep off the glass. By the time he wrapped up his collegiate career, Smith finished with averages of 21.3 points and 22.6 rebounds.

The LA Clippers, then known as the Buffalo Braves, took Smith off the board with the third overall pick in the 1971 NBA Draft. Smith was exactly as advertised, easily scoring in the paint and becoming one of the best rebounders in the game from the moment he stepped onto the hardwood.

The Clippers have a long and perplexing history of trading away really good young players and for some reason, Smith was dealt after just two seasons later. While his time donning a Clippers uniform was transient, Smith should be considered the best number three pick in franchise history.

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