LA’s draft history: Ranking every #9 overall pick

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1982: Michael Brooks #7 of the San Diego Clippers shoots over Greg Ballard #42 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1982 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Brooks played for the Clippers from 1980-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

3 of 3

Michael Brooks (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. Michael Brooks

LA Clippers stats: 13.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg

Scoring at an efficient and respectable level was something that the Clippers struggled with for decades.

Having grown tired of putting up meager numbers, the franchise was convinced that Michael Brooks would help put an end to their offensive deficiencies. By and large, the Clippers were right. Once they grabbed the versatile small forward with the ninth overall pick in the 1980 NBA draft, their overall scoring numbers increased.

In four seasons, the Clippers’ new forward got off to a great start. He ran the floor, finished at the rim, and crashed the glass with ease. In four seasons, as a San Diego Clipper, before they made the official move to Los Angeles, Brooks averaged 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Everything appeared to be going swimmingly for Brooks until he suffered a devastating knee injury that would sideline him for two seasons. He would eventually return to the court but he was a shell of his former great self, averaging just 2.7 points per game for the Denver Nuggets in his final season.

Next. LA’s draft history: Ranking every #8 overall pick. dark