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LA Clippers coach, Mike Dunleavy. Photo: NY Post
I took a stroll down the stairs at Staples Center in the section I occupy for Laker games but wasn't surrounded by purple and gold. This was New Year's Eve and a Clippers game was about to begin. The 76ers were in town and I thought the home team had a decent chance to win.
Season ticket holders and fans didn't hold out much hope for a win and it showed. On New Year's Eve, with a festive atmosphere in the arena, about 40% of the seats were unoccupied.
I can't relate to that since the Lakers sell out each night and I looked at the Clippers starters on the court and felt sorry for them. There were two great veterans, Marcus Camby and Baron Davis surrounded by a hot rookie, Eric Gordon and a good second year player, Al Thornton.
But I learned that these players don't deserve my pity. They deserve a better coach, a stern talking to and starters who don't perform should be benched. Why not? They've won only eight games out of thirty-one with a line up that should be winning double that number.
They've lost five straight and the only team with a winning record in that mix was the Mavericks. The upcoming schedule is ugly with Phoenix on tap tonight followed by the Pistons, Mavs, Spurs and the Hornets. They turn the ball over too much, take ill-advised shots and don't look in sync unless Baron Davis is distributing the ball. And yet, four out of five of Tuesday night's starters average double figures as do Chris Kaman and Zach Randolph when they are healthy. So what the hell is going on?
Mike Dunleavy can get all the technicals he wants for the non-calls by refs who don't respect the team but he hasn't gotten the best out of these players. Why has he been spared the fate of the fired coaches of miserable teams in the league? I realize how stupid that question is when I remember that Donald Sterling, the owner of the team kept his GM for twice the number of years he should have while the Clippers became a traditional patsy for the league.
Despite the fact that a ticket for a seat in the same section as I occupy for Laker games is 60% less, I believe I didn't get my money's worth. Luckily there was more ahead in the evening for me to have a good time but I can't say as much for the Clippers players. I'm sorry to say it but I don't care.
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