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 Monday, October 16
Enough talent, but not enough wins
 
 By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com

Michael Olowokandi, Dean Garrett
Michael Olowokandi, right, is a Clipper, but who will his teammates be next year?
The Clippers entered the NBA as the Buffalo Braves in 1970-71 for an entry fee of $3 million. The franchise has suffered through long periods of owner mismanagement that began with the volatile Paul Snider, who fired coach Dolph Schayes immediately after an opening night 123-90 home loss to Seattle in the team's second year of existence.

In 1977 Snider sold the team to John Y. Brown, who then "traded" franchises with Celtics owner Irv Levin, a native Californian who moved the Braves to San Diego where they became the Clippers. Donald Sterling acquired the franchise in 1981 and moved it to Los Angeles in 1984 over the protests of commissioner David Stern.

The current Clippers have a nice roster of young, high-potential players. It remains to be seen whether Sterling will spend the money to keep the core players together. History shows that he is more concerned with holding on to his property assets than retaining a nice array of talent that has passed through his organization. In their 28-year history, the Braves-Clippers have made the playoffs only six times, and have gotten past the first round only once.

Trades, Free Agents and Draft Picks
  • 1995-96: Acquired Pooh Richardson, Malik Sealy and draft rights to Eric Piatkowski from Indiana for Mark Jackson and rights to Greg Minor. Drafted Antonio McDyess (2nd pick) and Constantin Popa (53rd pick); then traded McDyess to Denver for Rodney Rogers and rights to Brent Barry.

    THROUGH THE YEARS
    Year Record Playoffs
    1994-95 17-65 --
    1995-96 29-53 --
    1996-97 36-46 0-3
    1997-98 17-65 --
    1998-99 9-41 --
    Totals 108-270 0-3

  • 1996-97: Acquired Brian Williams from Denver for Elmore Spencer. Drafted Lorenzen Wright (7th pick) and Doron Sheffer (36th pick).

  • 1997-98: Acquired Stojko Vrankovic from Minnesota for Stanley Roberts. Drafted Maurice Taylor (14th pick) and James Collins (37th pick).

  • 1998-99: Acquired Isaac Austin, Charles Smith and a 1998 first-round pick for Brent Barry. Drafted Michael Olowokandi (1st pick) and Brian Skinner (22nd pick). Lost Bo Outlaw and Malik Sealy to free agency.

  • 1999-2000: Acquired Eric Murdock from New Jersey for Johnny Newman; acquired Derek Anderson for Lamond Murray; traded Lorenzen Wright to Atlanta for two first round picks in 2000. Drafted Lamar Odom (4th pick) and Rico Hill (31st pick). Lost Isaac Austin, Rodney Rogers, Darrick Martin, Sherman Douglas and Loy Vaught to free agency.

    Analysis
    With the influx of fine young talent like Odom, Taylor, Anderson, Olowokandi, Skinner, Piatkowski, Tyrone Nesby and Troy Hudson -- if the Clippers had only signed some of the free agent players they let get away (Rodney Rogers, Bo Outlaw, Malik Sealy and Isaac Austin), they would be a playoff team. Even without the latter, there's enough talent for this team to look forward to a very bright future.

    The team also needs to show its players that it's a first-class organization. That starts with providing an updated, attractive, convenient practice facility as well as other amenities that are common in the NBA today. The Clippers don't have Shaquille O'Neal, but they have a true star in Odom and others with the potential to contend with the Lakers for popularity in Los Angeles. Right now, it's no contest. Courtside seats for Lakers games are $1,150; the same seats for Clippers' games are $350.

    Status of the team
    The Clippers are well-coached by Chris Ford, who has adopted a patient, more tolerant demeanor than he had at Boston and Milwaukee. It's needed with the young Clippers. Although the won-loss record isn't good now (9-21), this team needs to keep its attitude positive and try to improve its overall game as the season progresses.

    I see nothing but an upside for the 6-10 Odom. He has a complete game, is unselfish, competitive and wants to improve. He also has good leadership qualities. Olowokandi needs to get in better physical shape and toughen up his total game. Those two qualities go together.

    Anderson is a fine two-guard and should only get better if he stays injury-free. Taylor has a ton of offensive skills, but must become a stronger defender and rebounder as well as a better team player. Nesby and Hudson have nice talent and are learning how to put it together in the NBA game. They're both improving.

    Skinner is a perfect sixth man for the front line -- he runs the floor, scores and rebounds in bunches; and Piatkowski should be good off the bench with his effort play and perimeter shooting. Eric Murdock can lend his veteran experience to his young teammates.

    The Clippers should score enough to win most games. That means their defense has to tighten up (they allow just under 100 points, 46 percent opponent shooting, and are weak on the boards) to improve the record.

    Future
    It's all up to Donald Sterling. If he'll loosen the purse strings, his Clippers can become a winner -- a team he should love to show off to his friends, as well as one which turns a profit.

    Don't mess it up, Donald.

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