1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers season

1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers season
Head coachMike Schuler (fired)
Mack Calvin (interim)
Larry Brown
OwnersDonald Sterling
ArenaLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
Results
Record45–37 (.549)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishWest First Round
(lost to Jazz 2–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCOP-TV
(Ralph Lawler, Mike Fratello)
SportsChannel Los Angeles
(Joel Meyers, Jerry Tarkanian)
RadioKRLA
(Rich Marotta)
< 1990–91 1992–93 >

The 1991–92 NBA season was the Clippers' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and their 8th season in Los Angeles.[1] During the off-season, the Clippers acquired Doc Rivers from the Atlanta Hawks,[2][3][4] and James Edwards from the Detroit Pistons.[5][6] The Clippers, led by Danny Manning and Ron Harper, won five of their first seven games. They would lose six straight afterwards, but then post an 8-game winning streak in December which led them to a 14–10 start. However, they would struggle over the next few weeks sliding back below .500 with a 21–24 record as head coach Mike Schuler was fired.[7] After splitting two games under interim Mack Calvin, and holding a 22–25 record at the All-Star break,[8] the team hired Larry Brown, who resigned as coach of the San Antonio Spurs a few weeks earlier.[9][10]

Under Brown, the Clippers won 23 of their final 35 games to finish fifth in the Pacific Division with a 45–37 record.[11] Making their first playoff appearance since the 1975–76 season when they were known as the Buffalo Braves, and ending a fifteen-year playoff drought.[12] This season was also their first to finish with a winning record since 1978-79. This season also marked the first time that the Clippers finished with a better record than their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, who finished two games behind them with a 43–39 record.

Manning averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, while Harper averaged 18.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and Charles D. Smith provided the team with 14.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, but only played just 49 games due to a knee injury.[13][14][15] In addition, Ken Norman averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Rivers contributed 10.9 points, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game, Olden Polynice provided with 8.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and Gary Grant contributed 7.8 points, 6.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Edwards averaged 9.7 points per game off the bench, and second-year forward Loy Vaught provided with 7.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.[16] Brown finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting.[17]

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Clippers lost in five games to the Utah Jazz.[18][19][20] Following the season, Smith, Rivers and second-year guard Bo Kimble were all traded to the New York Knicks,[21][22][23] while Edwards signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers,[24][25] and Polynice was dealt to the Detroit Pistons.[26][27]

Draft picks

[edit]
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 22 LeRon Ellis C/PF  United States Syracuse
2 37 Elliot Perry PG  United States Memphis
2 38 Joe Wylie PF  United States Miami (FL)

Roster

[edit]
1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 53 Edwards, James 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
PF 22 Ellis, LeRon 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–04–28 Syracuse
PG 23 Grant, Gary 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–04–21 Michigan
SG 4 Harper, Ron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1964–01–20 Miami (OH)
SG 30 Kimble, Bo 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–04–09 Loyola Marymount
PF 5 Manning, Danny 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1966–05–17 Kansas
SF 3 Norman, Ken 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–09–05 Illinois
C 0 Polynice, Olden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–11–21 Virginia
PG 32 Rivers, David 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–01–20 Notre Dame
PG 25 Rivers, Doc 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1961–10–13 Marquette
PF 54 Smith, Charles D. 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1965–07–16 Pittsburgh
SF 35 Vaught, Loy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1968–02–27 Michigan
SG 21 Young, Danny 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1962–07–26 Wake Forest
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster notes

[edit]
  • Forward Tony Brown became the 5th former Laker to play with the crosstown rival Clippers. He would later serve as an assistant coach for the team under coaches Mike Dunleavy, Sr. and Kim Hughes from 2008 to 2010
  • This is point guard David Rivers's second tour of duty with the franchise. He previously played for the team in 1989–1990.

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 57 25 .695 33–8 24–17 21–9
x-Golden State Warriors 55 27 .671 2 31–10 24–17 19–11
x-Phoenix Suns 53 29 .646 4 36–5 17–24 17–13
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10 28–13 19–22 16–14
x-Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 .549 12 29–12 16–25 13–17
x-Los Angeles Lakers 43 39 .524 14 24–17 19–22 13–17
Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 28 21–20 8–33 6–24
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Portland Trail Blazers 57 25 .695
2 y-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 2
3 x-Golden State Warriors 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Phoenix Suns 53 29 .646 4
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 47 35 .573 10
6 x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10
7 x-Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 .549 12
8 x-Los Angeles Lakers 43 39 .524 14
9 Houston Rockets 42 40 .512 15
10 Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 28
11 Denver Nuggets 24 58 .293 33
12 Dallas Mavericks 22 60 .268 35
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 15 67 .183 42
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
1991-92 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 3–1 2–2 0–5 0–5 2–0 2–0 1–4 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 1–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–2 2–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 5–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–3 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–2
Chicago 5–0 3–1 4–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0
Cleveland 5–0 1–3 3–2 2–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 0–2 0–4 4–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–4 0–2
Denver 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–3 0–2 0–4 2–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–5 1–1
Detroit 4–1 0–4 4–1 1–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2 3–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Golden State 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 5–0 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–0
Houston 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 3–2 1–3 1–4 2–0
Indiana 4–1 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–5 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2
L.A. Clippers 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–3 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–3 2–2 0–2 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–4 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
Miami 2–2 2–3 3–1 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 4–0 2–0 2–2 1–4 3–1 1–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 3–2 2–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–4 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 1–1 0–4 2–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–6 0–4 2–3 0–2
New Jersey 1–3 3–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–3 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York 2–2 2–3 4–0 0–4 0–4 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 3–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0
Orlando 2–2 0–5 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–3 1–4 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–3
Philadelphia 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 4–1 1–3 2–0 2–3 1–3 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 5–0
Phoenix 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–3 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–2 4–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0
Portland 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 3–2 1–3 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 5–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–5 1–3 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–4 0–5 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 5–0 4–1 1–1 2–2 2–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 6–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–4 0–2
Seattle 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–3 1–4 4–1 1–3 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 5–1 1–1 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–1 1–3 2–0
Washington 2–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–4 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 0–4 3–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2

Game log

[edit]

Playoffs

[edit]
1992 playoff game log
First round: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 24 @ Utah L 97–115 Doc Rivers (23) Charles Smith (9) Doc Rivers (5) Delta Center
19,911
0–1
2 April 26 @ Utah L 92–103 Danny Manning (22) Ken Norman (14) Doc Rivers (6) Delta Center
19,911
0–2
3 April 28 Utah W 98–88 Danny Manning (17) Ron Harper (12) three players tied (5) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
14,086
1–2
4 May 3 Utah W 115–107 Danny Manning (33) Danny Manning (10) Norman, Grant (6) Anaheim Convention Center
7,148
2–2
5 May 4 @ Utah L 89–98 Danny Manning (24) Ken Norman (10) Ron Harper (7) Delta Center
19,911
2–3
1992 schedule

Player statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tony Brown 22 0 11.5 .438 .318 .621 1.3 .7 .5 .0 4.7
Lanard Copeland 10 0 4.8 .304 .000 1.000 .7 .5 .2 .0 1.6
James Edwards 72 11 20.0 .465 .000 .731 2.8 .7 .3 .5 9.7
LeRon Ellis 29 0 3.6 .340 .474 .8 .0 .2 .3 1.5
Gary Grant 78 53 26.3 .462 .294 .815 2.4 6.9 1.8 .2 7.8
Ron Harper 82 82 38.3 .440 .303 .736 5.5 5.1 1.9 .9 18.2
Bo Kimble 34 0 8.1 .396 .308 .645 .9 .5 .3 .2 3.3
Danny Manning 82 82 35.4 .542 .000 .725 6.9 3.5 1.6 1.5 19.3
Tharon Mayes 3 0 13.3 .400 .500 .667 .3 1.0 .7 .3 3.0
Ken Norman 77 24 26.1 .490 .143 .535 5.8 1.6 .7 .9 12.1
Elliot Perry 10 0 6.6 .400 .000 .500 .7 1.4 .9 .1 1.3
Olden Polynice 76 65 24.1 .519 .000 .622 7.1 .6 .6 .3 8.1
David Rivers 15 0 8.1 .333 .000 .909 1.3 1.4 .5 .1 2.0
Doc Rivers 59 25 28.1 .424 .283 .832 2.5 3.9 1.9 .3 10.9
Charles Smith 49 25 26.7 .466 .000 .785 6.1 1.1 .8 2.0 14.6
Loy Vaught 79 38 21.4 .492 .800 .797 6.5 .9 .5 .4 7.6
Danny Young 44 5 20.2 .391 .333 .887 1.5 3.5 .9 .1 5.3

Playoffs

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
James Edwards 5 0 17.4 .417 .632 2.6 .6 .2 .2 6.4
LeRon Ellis 1 0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Gary Grant 5 1 15.4 .476 .000 1.000 .8 3.6 .6 .4 4.4
Ron Harper 5 5 41.2 .448 .111 .786 6.4 4.6 1.0 .8 18.0
Bo Kimble 3 0 1.7 .000 .0 .3 .0 .0 .0
Danny Manning 5 5 38.8 .568 .333 .645 5.6 2.8 1.0 .8 22.6
Ken Norman 5 5 36.8 .509 .000 .529 9.8 3.0 .8 .6 12.6
Olden Polynice 5 0 12.6 .583 .333 3.4 .6 .2 .2 3.2
Doc Rivers 5 4 37.4 .446 .500 .815 3.8 4.2 1.2 .0 15.2
Charles Smith 5 5 29.6 .393 .933 5.6 1.8 .8 2.4 11.6
Loy Vaught 5 0 7.2 .636 1.000 1.000 2.4 .8 .2 .2 3.4
Danny Young 3 0 3.7 .500 .000 .0 .3 .0 .0 1.3

Awards and records

[edit]

Transactions

[edit]

The Clippers were involved in the following transactions during the 1991–92 season.

Trades

[edit]
June 26, 1991 To Los Angeles Clippers
To Atlanta Hawks
  • 1991 first-round draft pick & 1993 and 1994 second-round draft picks
June 26, 1991 To Los Angeles Clippers
  • 1996 or 1997 second-round draft pick
To Denver Nuggets
September 22, 1991 To Los Angeles Clippers
To Detroit Pistons

Free agents

[edit]

Player Transactions Citation:[28]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1991-92 Los Angeles Clippers
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1991). "BASKETBALL; The Final Word on Draft: Trades". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1991). "Clippers Make Point in Deal with Hawks: NBA Draft: Team Trades No. 9 Pick and Second-Round Selections in 1993 and 1994 for Guard Doc Rivers. Club Then Takes LeRon Ellis of Syracuse with 22nd Pick". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  4. ^ "Clippers Pull Off Two Trades". Tampa Bay Times. June 27, 1991. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; 2 Big Trades for Pistons". The New York Times. August 14, 1991. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Klein, Gary (August 14, 1991). "Clippers Get Edwards--or a Big Headache: NBA: They Trade Reserve Guard Martin and a Draft Pick to Get 7-Foot-1 Piston Center, But He Is on His Way to Italy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Stewart, Larry (February 3, 1992). "Schuler Fired as Clippers' Coach". Los Angeles Times. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  9. ^ Martinez, Michael (February 7, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Brown's 'Last Stop' Is Job with Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  10. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 7, 1992). "Brown Is Surprised by Interest of Clippers: Pro Basketball: New coach Says He Expected to Be Out of Work Longer After Being Fired by Spurs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  11. ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Clippers End Long Playoff Wait". The New York Times. April 17, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "Charles Smith Out with Knee Injury". United Press International. October 19, 1991. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (October 20, 1991). "CLIPPERS: Smith Has Surgery, Is Out Four to Six Weeks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "Clippers' Smith Sidelined 4-6 Weeks". Sun Sentinel. Los Angeles Times. October 20, 1991. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  16. ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Nelson's Consolation Prize". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 22, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  18. ^ "BASKETBALL; Jazz Beats Its Demons and Clippers". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1992. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  19. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 5, 1992). "At Home, It's a Case of All That Jazz: Game 5: Utah Plays a Fourth-Quarter Jam Session to End Season for Clippers, 98-89. Record in Salt Lake City Becomes 40-4 with Seattle Series Ahead". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "1992 NBA Western Conference First Round: Clippers vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  21. ^ Brown, Clifton (September 23, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Knicks Get Trade, Thanks to Roberts". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  22. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (September 23, 1992). "Big Man, Big Deal: Roberts a Clipper: Pro Basketball: But They Have to Give Up a Lot to Acquire the Heavyweight Center, and Mark Jackson in Three-Team Deal with New York and Orlando". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  23. ^ "Knicks, Magic, Clippers Complete Trade". United Press International. September 22, 1992. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  24. ^ Heisler, Mark (August 14, 1992). "Edwards, Higgins Sign with Lakers: Basketball: Former Clipper Center Returns to Where He Started; Former Fairfax Standout Played Well in Summer League". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  25. ^ "Around the NBA". The Washington Post. August 14, 1992. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 25, 1992). "Clippers Go Forward to MacLean: NBA Draft: Polynice Is Traded to..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  27. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 17, 1992). "Polynice's Mutual Admiration Society: Pro Basketball: The Former Clipper Returns as a Piston, and Will Be Received by a Fan Club That Gets as Much as It Gives". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  28. ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2021.