Clippers Slip Past Rockets in Overtime

Only one Clipper has started all 37 games this season, including Monday’s 130-126 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets at the Sports Arena, but none is in a more precarious position.

Danny Manning might be traded, but at least that means someone wants him. Gary Grant? That the Clippers would like to acquire a new starting point guard and replace him has become the worst-kept secret.

Vern Fleming is coming from the Pacers. Mark Jackson from the Knicks. Scott Skiles from the Magic, a bad rumor Orlando officials said last week. Doc Rivers from the Hawks, a notion Atlanta apparently has laid to rest. Get the point?

Said Grant, once a first-round draft choice and the starter while healthy for almost all of his two-plus seasons: “The only thing I’m hearing is that they’re getting rid of Danny to bring someone in here. The guards they are talking about, I’m not concerned at all. Also, the guards they’re talking about are not doing so well or their teams are not doing so well. I’m not worried unless it’s a Kevin Johnson or someone.

“I was at first. But nothing happened. I’m willing to do whatever they (the Clippers) want. If they trade me, I’ll be gone. If they bring somebody in and start him ahead of me, fine.

“It’s not the point guards losing games. . . . Whichever point guard they bring in is not going to rebound. They won’t stop (Robert) Parish from dunking.”

Indeed, there are problems elsewhere for the Clippers, who Monday won for only the fourth time in 20 games as Winston Garland went six for six from the free-throw line in the final 31 seconds. But inconsistent play from the primary ballhandler is something they’ve been waiting to disappear for seasons now. By averaging only 5.9 assists in the 11 games before Monday night’s, Grant had dropped to 9.0 overall and ninth in the league, and his 16 assists represented only his second double-figure assist outing in 10 tries.

“There are times when he has been very alive,” said Coach Mike Schuler, who met with Grant after Monday’s afternoon shoot-around. “Other times, he has not had the same enthusiasm. But I think he has played fairly well the last month. We thought he really did a pretty good job this last road trip.”

Grant went into action Monday night with an assist-to-turnover ratio barely better than 2-1 in the previous 11 games, 65-32. He had only three turnovers against the Rockets. His assist average has dropped seventh-tenths since the start of the month. No one, including Grant himself, says he is playing at the same level as he did last season.

No one also knows why. Grant insists it is not the trade talk or any hesitation to drive he might have developed after breaking his ankle last season. What he doesn’t deny is that after Bill Freider at the University of Michigan and Gene Shue and Don Casey with the Clippers all kept things loose with their point guard, Schuler is a change.

“All the coaches I’ve had were that way, even Casey,” Grant said. “We could laugh and joke about different things. That gave me confidence going into games. It helped me feel relaxed.”

And Schuler, his fourth coach in the last four seasons?

“I have a good relationship with him,” Grant said, “but it could be better communication-wise. But I don’t have any problem with him.”

The 16 assists were the most Grant has had since Dec. 19, but there were other heroes Monday. Ken Norman had 31 points, five in the overtime after missing two free throws with 0.2 seconds left in regulation that would have won the game. Benoit Benjamin had 19 rebounds and five blocked shots and Danny Manning had 20 points off the bench.

Garland had 10 points on two-of-five shooting. But his perfect run in the five-minute extra period more than righted previous shooting problems.

“There’s no extra pressure (in overtime),” he said. “But that’s why so many players miss, I guess, thinking there is. It is not worth a point and a half in overtime. That how you have to look at it.”

The one-pointers were all the Clippers, who had seven players score in double figures, needed.

Clipper Notes

Day-after reports on Jay Edwards returning to action were positive, except for his being winded during Sunday’s workout. The second-year guard, cleared to resume practicing with the Clippers after being on the suspended list since March of 1990 for failing his rookie drug test, said his knee that required surgery at the end of the season has healed. He would not, however, discuss events that led to his entering a substance-abuse program. “I want to leave that alone,” said Edwards, a second-round draft choice after being named the Big Ten player of the year as a sophomore. “I want to deal with the future and today. I’m hungry (to play). I wasn’t hungry last year. Everything came a little too easy.” The same can not be said for his chances of being activated after the two-week evaluation period. The Clippers will either have to put him in uniform (highly unlikely) , waive him (possible) or put him on the injured list with a sudden injury (more possible). “I’ve just got to play my game,” Edwards said. “I think I can help this team. If not, I will go somewhere else.”

The Rockets reported Akeem Olajuwon’s surgery in Houston for repair of the broken bone near his right eye was a success. He suffered the injury Jan. 3 against Chicago and is expected to return sometime in March.