Instead of Folding Under Pressure, Clippers Are Reacting Well--So Far

As emotionally trying as last week was for Clipper Coach Don Chaney and his players, they somehow endured all the talk of an imminent coaching change and seem much stronger for it.

Instead of becoming more disjointed and disgruntled in the wake of recent events, Chaney believes the Clippers banded together for the first time in a season replete with as many problems as losses.

That belief is supported by two victories in three games last week, improving the Clippers’ record to 10-18 going into tonight’s game at Portland (6:05, WTBS).

“It’s like they think it’s ‘Us Versus the World,’ ” Chaney said. “After this big issue (about his job security), the team has found a family-type bond it didn’t have before.

“After just a couple wins, the guys feel more loose, more free. I can’t really pinpoint why, but it’s these kinds of things that turn teams around. I hope it has a positive effect.”

It does appear the Clippers have turned a negative situation into something positive. Clipper players, it seems, feel that neither management, the media nor the majority of Southland fans support them.

Us against the world, indeed.

So, when management gave Chaney a week to save his job; when writers blasted the club for a horrendous week that included 40- and 39-point losses; and when fans continued to either ignore or boo them, Clipper players fought rather than pack it in.

They sandwiched victories over Golden State and Sacramento around a hard-fought loss to San Antonio in what had to be their most productive week since they began the season 5-0.

Take that, critics.

“If the players have ill-feelings toward management and use that as motivation, fine,” General Manager Carl Scheer said. “It doesn’t trouble me. There are a lot of teams that have problems with management. The New York Yankees don’t like George Steinbrenner and the Boston Celtics of a few years ago banded together against the ownership.

“Players play for different reasons. Adversity has a way of bringing people together. I met with the team (recently) and I said it’s fashionable to kick us when we’re down.”

Even before the Clippers have had a chance to regain their footing, they now face the roughest part of their schedule to date.

After tonight’s game in Portland, where the Clippers have not won in at least five seasons, they play host to Philadelphia Thursday night. On Saturday, the Clippers turn around and play at Seattle, where they already have been blown out twice this season. Then, they return Monday and to face the Boston Celtics at the Sports Arena.

Hard to believe, but it gets even more difficult after New Year’s Day.

The Clippers, whose only two road wins have come at Sacramento, make their first Eastern swing starting Jan. 3 and play seven games in 11 days.

Said Chaney: “It’s going to be like an uphill climb with weights on our feet. But going into this stretch, it’s good to have a positive mental frame of mind. Coming off a couple wins, it changes your whole outlook.”

Chaney said he has not set a goal for the minimum number of wins he would like to have during this difficult stretch.

Scheer, who will be accompanying the team on its East Coast trip, said he doesn’t expect great things on the road.

“I’m not unrealistic about our immediate schedule,” Scheer said. “It is tough. I’m sure (owner Donald T.) Sterling is as aware of that as anyone. Sterling has been patient. That’s a good sign. But we’ve got to win on the road. We can’t have an appetite only for Sacramento.”

Guard Derek Smith still is day-to-day depending on the soreness in his left knee. It has been a little more than five weeks since Smith underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee. He has made steady progress but only has been fit enough to play 13 minutes a week ago today against Golden State.