Casey Given Poor Marks by Players

All but two Clipper players, who at this time last year made Don Casey their overwhelming choice to become coach, met with owner Donald T. Sterling about three weeks ago and asked that Casey be fired.

“That was one of the things we talked about,” one player said Friday.

Casey is expected to coach the Clippers at least for their final 26 games, beginning tonight against the Indiana Pacers at Market Square Arena.

Said one prominent team member: “Last year, the guys went and voiced an opinion in a very positive way about Casey. This year, I know at least I’m not going to get involved in that.”

Sterling said any personnel decisions would be made by General Manager Elgin Baylor, who could not be reached for comment Friday. But, Sterling added, there is no reason to believe Casey will not finish the season.

“I’m convinced Elgin will review the entire program at the end of the season and that he’s not going to make any changes before that time,” Sterling said.

Casey, who has a 33-67 record, said he has not received any indication from management that he will be fired, but declined to respond to players’ criticisms.

“I was aware of the meeting and was told by the ownership to continue with the basketball operations and that anyone and everyone will be reviewed during the rest of the season,” said Casey, who has a one-year contract, the Clippers holding an option for 1990-91.

“Our job now--coaches and players--is to prepare to win games.”

Asked if a loss of support among many of the players would make it impossible to continue as coach, he said: “No more impossible than when any other teams have opinions about their coaches. It comes down to players play and coaches coach.”

Sterling confirmed the two-hour meeting at his Beverly Hills office, saying it was initiated by players and moderated by Baylor. He called the talks “very frank discussions.”

It is believed that all but two players, Benoit Benjamin and Jay Edwards, attended.

Sterling said that the subjects included more than complaints about coaching.

“I didn’t view it as complaints,” Sterling said. “The discussion centered on how to win more games, on how to improve the offense. These are all winners from college programs and they’re very frustrated with how things have developed. The big issue is, injuries notwithstanding, the players think they should be winning more and they want to explore every reason why they are not.”

But one player was far more outspoken against Casey, who had the Clippers heading toward their first playoff berth since the team moved from San Diego to Los Angeles six seasons ago when injuries to guards Ron Harper and Gary Grant dramatically altered the team’s direction.

“It’s a lot of things,” the player said. “It’s the coaching situations, as far as what to do during certain times in the game, he doesn’t know. The rotation (of substitutes) is real bad. He talks behind players’ backs. You can go on and on. No player on the team trusts him. Now, when he pats us on the back, it seems phony.”

Casey, a Clipper assistant for 4 1/2 seasons, became interim coach Jan. 19, 1989, after Gene Shue was fired.