Consider this part of the Clippers franchise, dating back to its roots in San Diego. Throughout the history of the NBA, there has been no shortage of great shooting guards. As a matter of fact, two of the greatest ever in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant occupied this position. Mostly lauded for their ability to score — thus the term shooting guard — it’s also a known fact that the role of a two-guard has evolved through the years.
For their part, the Los Angeles Clippers have also had their fair share of memorable players. This franchise has been around for 50 years now, and during that span, the shooting guard spot has been graced by a number of great players, including current starting two-guard Paul George. Aside from him, we have three other Clipper legends that comprise our list of the greatest shooting guards in Los Angeles Clippers history.
Honorable Mention: Paul George
We just had to throw in Paul George in our list here, mainly for a couple of reasons. First, the six-time All-Star qualifies for the position of shooting guard. While he has played majority of his career as a three, there have been more than a few occasions wherein head coach Doc Rivers has used him in the two-spot — especially upon the arrival of Marcus Morris last February. This is a trend we expect to continue moving forward.
Secondly, while George has been a Clipper for barely a season, he has been amazing nonetheless. In 42 games thus far, the five-time All-NBA team member has averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 3.2 triples on a 39.9-percent clip. Along with Kawhi Leonard, we just have this nagging feeling that George’s career in L.A. is bound for greatness.
George arrived in L.A. last summer in what turned out to be the most successful offseason in Clippers history. Reports stated that one of Leonard’s stipulations for him to sign with the Clippers was that they needed to bring in George. They gladly obliged, and in an instant, propelled the team as a legitimate championship contender.
3. J.J. Redick
J.J. Redick didn’t join the Clippers until he was 29 and in his eighth year in the NBA. However, it cannot be denied that it is in L.A. where the former Duke standout established himself as the deadliest sharpshooter in the league. In just four seasons with the Clippers, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard was able to average 15.8 points (on 46.6 percent shooting), 2.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals, while also connecting on 2.5 triples on a highly-efficient 44.0-percent clip.
Redicks’s time with the Clippers was so successful that come 2017, he earned himself a hefty deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, which came out to the tune of $23 million for one year.
Today, Redick plies his trade with the New Orleans Pelicans as a veteran presence in a young, up-and-coming squad.
2. World B. Free
World B. Free spent only two seasons with what was then the San Diego Clippers between 1979 and 1980. However, this brief stint was enough to earn him the second spot on our Top 3 list.
After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Sixers, the team sent him to the Clippers on a trade deal in exchange for a first-round pick (the great Charles Barkley was selected six years later using this pick). It was with the Clippers where Free would have the most memorable stint of his career.
During his debut season, Free was selected into the All-NBA team. In his second and final year with the Clippers, he was then named to his one and only All-Star squad. In two years, Free holds career averages of 29.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Not only was he one of the most prolific scoring shooting guards in Clippers history, but his efficiency was also quite impressive. Free averaged 47.7 percent from the field in his two years with the team.
1. Randy Smith
Randy Smith, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard out of Buffalo State College, was a Clipper even before the Clippers were establish. He joined the squad — then the Buffalo Braves — in 1971, which was just the second year of the franchise in the NBA. Smith would reach great heights during his eight years with the team.
An amazing defensive shooting guard (he once averaged 2.5 steals in a season), Smith was a prolific scorer who also had an elite playmaking ability. He was named an All-Star on two separate occasions, and even won the All-Star Game MVP in 1978. Smith played a pivotal role in the success of the team during its early years, with the Bob McAdoo-led Braves making three straight playoff appearances between 1974 and 1976.
Averaging 17.8 points (on 47.2 percent shooting), 4.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per contest, Smith’s countless contributions to the franchise make him our greatest shooting guard in Clippers history.
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