Los Angeles Clippers is an American professional basketball team in the Pacific Division of the NBA based in Los Angeles, California, competing at the STAPLES Center. In 1978, the Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego. Team officials thought the name "Braves" did not fit in with San Diego's image. A contest was held to name the team and the entry of San Diego Clippers was selected as the winner. The reason that Clippers was selected as the new team name was the fact that San Diego was known for the great sailing ships -- "clippers" -- that passed through the San Diego harbor many years ago. The franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1984 and have been known ever since as the Los Angeles Clippers.
