The 2004–05 NBA season was the Clippers' 35th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 21st season in Los Angeles. With a young team with some promising talent led by Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the Clippers got off to a solid start with an 11–7 record, but then lost five straight as they played around .500 for the first half of the season. However, after holding a 23–23 record as of February 3, the team struggled and lost eight straight games, losing nine of their twelve games during the month. The Clippers continued to struggled as they finished third in the Pacific Division with a 37–45 record, which was three more wins than their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Clippers missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons. Bobby Simmons was named Mos