Ranking the Top 5 Uniforms in Los Angeles Clippers History

The Los Angeles Clippers franchise doesn't have a history of winning in bunches, but in terms of uniforms, their tradition is as rich as it gets.

The Clips have won many times in the looks department, and part of the intrigue in their success lies in the fact that they've had two substantial relocations to San Diego from Buffalo in 1978 and from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984. 

As for the criteria, the goal is to look at the five best looking outfits. One thing to note is that these have nothing to do with the success of the team that wore them, though there's plenty of background info for context alone.

Which jerseys belong in the all-time top 5 in franchise history? Let's take a look, starting where it all began. 

5. Original Buffalo Braves: 1970-71

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Though the Buffalo Braves began their journey as a franchise with three straight losing seasons from 1970-1973, they got their first iteration of uniforms right.

The signature B on the left side of the jersey coupled with the diagonal stripes sweeping down through the shorts were unmistakable trademarks of these 1970 home whites.

Save for some slight crowding of the team name with the number on the right, the look is clean to go along with some lively bold black and orange colors. 

4. All-Red: Christmas Day 2012

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The NBA decided to go with a big color theme over the holidays in 2012, and that meant the Clippers donned all-red uniforms for their marquee game against the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 25. 

Via the Clippers' longtime equipment manager Pete Serrano, as transcribed by Clippers.com: 

"

Color had everything to do with it. I’ve never seen anything in any sport, head-to-toe, where the shoes, socks pretty much everything was one color. I’ve never seen that before.

"

The all-reds worked out for the Clips that day. They defeated Denver, 112-100, in front of a packed Staples Center crowd of 19,346. 

3. The Bold Era: 2000-01 to 2009-10

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LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 31: Shaun Livingston #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers moves the ball against the New York Knicks during the game at Staples Center December 31, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 90-80. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

In its second season at the glorious Staples Center in 2000-2001, Los Angeles got a bold makeover that made its red, white and blue colors pop. The trouble with the time period is that the Clips were in the middle of their second-worst stretch in franchise history with eight straight playoff absences. 

Another blemish for the sleek jerseys, that featured a triangle at the base of the front collar, is that Shaun Livingston was wearing one in 2007 when he went down with a horrific knee injury which threatened his career and the progress of the franchise. 

2. Blue Alternate: 2012-13

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The blue alternate jerseys from the 2012-13 season are among the slickest looking uniforms in franchise history. Adidas put its touch on these bold pieces by adding a thinner stripe on the sides that gave it a more modern look. 

In addition, the script words "Los Angeles" were added as distinguishing touch. 

The Clips didn't just look good that year. They set a franchise record for wins in a season by going 56-26 under head coach Vinny Del Negro before besting that mark the following season under Doc Rivers with 57 wins.

1. Throwback San Diego Clippers: Hardwood Classics

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The throwback San Diego Clippers jerseys from the Hardwood Classics collection is a mainstay throughout Staples Center among fans even today.

That could be because one of the franchise's most popular players in its history, Quentin Richardson, sported it during his best NBA season. En route to averages of 17.3 points and 6.4 rebounds to go along with a Basketball-Reference.com player efficiency rating of 15.1 during the 2003-04 season, he parlayed that campaign into a free-agent contract with the Phoenix Suns the following year. 

Along with Richardson, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette formed a dynamic trio of players who were fun to watch despite being the key components of a team that went just 28-54 and finished seventh in the Pacific Division. 

When it comes to Clippers history, there's not much substance in terms of accolades on the court, though they're trending in the right direction in that respect. But Los Angeles wins when it comes to the history and evolution of its look. 

And no, the sleeved jerseys from 2013-14 have no place on this list. Ever.