Clippers Take Another Step Backward, 121-104

At last, someone has come up with a feasible explanation for the Clippers’ consistently dismal play, which was epitomized again Thursday night in a dreadful 121-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors before 6,263 fans at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Not surprisingly, the theory was provided by forward Cedric Maxwell, the former Boston Celtics star who has learned more than he would like to know about losing in his 20 games as a Clipper.

“It must be franchise-itis ,” Maxwell said. “You look around, and we’ve got talent. But this franchise has lost so much it affects you. You play only to stay close, not to win. You can’t help it.” If losing is a disease, the Clippers (7-13) should be sent to the intensive care unit at once. Thursday’s defeat was the Clippers’ fifth in the last six games and the 13th in the last 15. If not for the Phoenix Suns, the Clippers would once again be in the Pacific Division cellar.

“ Franchise-itis , huh?” Marques Johnson asked. “I hope it’s not terminal.”

No doubt, one of the major symptoms of franchise-itis is that the club can play well one night, then fall to new levels of embarrassment the next. It has happened again the last two days. Wednesday night, the Clippers routed the Sacramento Kings by 25 points--and used that as a springboard to a 17-point loss to the mediocre Warriors.

Certainly, Golden State seemed beatable. Yes, even by the Clippers. The Warriors entered the game as losers of three straight and seven of their last eight games.

So, it seemed a toss-up which team would lie down and get stomped on. The Clippers were happy to oblige.

“It feels bad being out there when we play like that,” Johnson said. “And I’m sure it looks even worse to watch it.”

Golden State dominated the Clippers in almost every category, but the most glaring Clipper weakness this time was rebounding. The Warriors held only a 48-37 edge, but they had as many offensive rebounds (22) as the Clippers had on the defensive boards.

Mix in the usual 18 Clipper turnovers, 38% shooting in the first half and a total of 14 points from the bench, and you have the ingredients for another blowout defeat. Only a spirited, albeit token, comeback in the third quarter, in which they cut Golden State’s lead to eight points, enabled the Clippers to avoid further embarrassment.

Coach Don Chaney, who had yet to consult Maxwell about his theory, once again was at a loss for an explanation.

“I don’t understand it,” Chaney said. “I don’t see how we can play so well one night and be a totally different team the next night.”

Must be franchise-itis , coach.

All the Clippers were stricken Thursday night. Chaney could not name one player who played particularly well, although Maxwell was the leading scorer (20 points) and rebounder (7).

Forward Rory White added 19 points, center Kurt Nimphius and guard Norm Nixon 18 each. Marques Johnson, held to 2 points in the first half, finished with 15.

The Warriors took turns bombarding the Clippers. In fact, their bench played nearly as well as their starters. Purvis Short led Golden State with 31 points, but it was big forward Larry Smith who did the serious damage.

Smith had 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Eight of those rebounds came on the offensive boards, which were more than any Clipper totaled for the game.

The Clippers’ lack of rebounding strength was understandable since they went the entire second half with only one center--Nimphius.

Chaney benched rookie Benoit Benjamin after he was unproductive in the first half. In five minutes, Benjamin attempted one shot, which he missed. He had no rebounds, no fouls, no blocked shots, no clue.

Chaney said Benjamin will continue to sit if he continues to show little sign of life.

Clipper Notes There is a chance that forward Jamaal Wilkes will be activated for Saturday night’s game against Utah at the Sports Arena. Wilkes, who has missed 12 games with a badly sprained right ankle, will participate in the team’s light practice Saturday. “If he looks good, we’ll bring him back,” Coach Don Chaney said. To do so, the Clippers would have to waive either Jim Thomas or Jay Murphy.