Mobley not looking back

Cuttino Mobley is talking of this season in the past, as though it is already meant to be stored deeply away, not to be remembered or rehashed.

“Every year is not going to be like that,” he said of the Clippers’ dismal 19-39 record. “This is my worst year ever. But you’ve got a lot of guys injured. A lot of us played injured for so long. A lot of guys in and out.

“We can’t really get a chemistry and you lose confidence, you lose focus. And other teams are coming at you with full strength. But hopefully, we’ll be one of those teams next year, loaded and having some fun.”

Although he has sat out only three games, Mobley recently said he has been hindered by a strained groin and hasn’t been healthy since November.

“Since November 7th,” he said, to be exact. “I’ve been injured ever since. It doesn’t really heal because you play so much. It’s not as strong as it should be, because you didn’t rest it.”

Mobley started the season by making clutch shots in the first two games and scoring a season-high 33 points in the third against the Chicago Bulls. He injured his groin early in the next game against the Indiana Pacers and subsequently developed bursitis in his shooting elbow.

After scoring in double figures in 15 straight games, Mobley averaged 5.5 points in his last four before Monday.

Overall, he is averaging 12.7 points, the third consecutive year his average has declined.

“It’s like that sometimes,” Mobley said. “But life ain’t bad. You are still playing in the NBA. You’ve just got to be out there and have fun and try to think positive.”

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Besides Memphis Grizzlies forward Mike Miller, the Clippers also heavily targeted Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon before the Feb. 21 trading deadline.

The failed offers centered on future draft picks, but the Raptors rebuffed the Clippers’ attempts.

Calderon, who will be a restricted free agent this off-season, is averaging 12.5 points and 8.7 assists, fifth-best in the league.

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Sam Cassell, waived after arranging a buyout of his contract last week, cleared waivers Monday and is expected to sign with the Boston Celtics today. . . . Forward Tim Thomas sat a second consecutive game because of a strained left groin after slipping in Friday’s loss to the Nuggets in Denver. He is expected to be sidelined at least the rest of the week.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com