A LOOK AT THE 1992-93 NBA SEASON : Opportunity Knocks for the Clippers : Preview: This might be the season they make a big move up in stature.

Maybe a new day has dawned after all.

The Clippers never conceded anything to Magic Johnson’s Lakers to begin with, but they were also the first to realize his impact on the team and city allegiances. That Johnson has retired again changes the landscape considerably, or at least the possibilities.

A Clipper town for real and not merely because of injury or illness? A definite “maybe.” Last season, they finished two games ahead of a Laker team ravaged by ailments other than Johnson’s, but the Clippers can quickly counter about playing a half a season without Coach Larry Brown.

In truth, the chance to rule Los Angeles is much bigger to the marketing and publicity people than any rivalry is to the players, and everyone in the organization has his sights set beyond the county line. That’s one thing in which everyone agrees.

Another is that, with seven new players--five of whom are being counted on for significant contributions--it might take time to hit full stride. How much time is, of course, a key considering how tight the race could be in the Pacific Division and Western Conference.

Will it take one weekend?

The Clippers open Friday against, somewhat fittingly, the Lakers, and then travel to Phoenix Saturday for what should be another emotional game, the regular-season debut of Charles Barkley as a Sun and the new America West Arena.

Three weeks?

A home-and-home set against the Sacramento Kings, next Tuesday and Wednesday, and a Nov. 25 game at Dallas on the second night of a back-to-back are the only breathers before Thanksgiving, and the Clippers usually struggle at Sacramento.

Otherwise, the first 11 games of the season consist of the Lakers and Suns twice each, Utah, Detroit, Houston and the return to Los Angeles of Charles Smith and Doc Rivers with the New York Knicks.

Longer?

“I think if we do start slow the first two weeks or month, we have to stay a little above .500 to give ourselves a chance to stay close to the home-court advantage for the playoffs,” guard Ron Harper said. “But we have enough players around who know how to win.”

The Clippers gained some valuable postseason experience last season, when they came within a disastrous fourth quarter in Game 5 at Utah of advancing to the second round. But only five of those Clippers are back, though the arrival of playoff-tested Mark Jackson is a big addition.

“We’re a team trying to find our unique stride,” Harper said.

How they shape up heading into the opener:

CENTER--The concerns go beyond Stanley Roberts’ well-documented girth. When he is out of shape and unable to get to a play, he reaches. When he reaches, he gets a lot of silly fouls. When he gets a lot of silly fouls, Brown will turn to backup Elmore Spencer, who, like most rookies, will almost undoubtedly have his share of foul trouble.

Then the Clippers are in trouble.

Roberts is making progress in his personal battle of the bulge, so the Clippers are happy. At peak condition, he won’t be asked to provide much more offense than the 10.4 points he averaged last season for Orlando as a rookie. But 6.1 rebounds won’t cut it.

FORWARD--They are not only deep, but versatile.

Ken Norman will open at small forward but is strong enough to step up in weight class to help Danny Manning. Manning is the sleek power forward who can return to his former position if Brown wants to go really big with, say, Roberts, Loy Vaught and Manning along the front line.

Vaught has replaced Norman as the Clipper rumored to be traded, and his confidence seems to be taking a beating. But he remains a very dependable backup to Manning and is a rebounder who keeps the opposition honest with medium-range jumpers.

Kiki Vandeweghe, 34, will play behind Norman and is expected to supply some much-needed outside shooting.

John Williams, who will play everywhere, is on the opening-night roster, though his real contributions won’t come until the season’s second half. But anyone who discounts his considerable talent because of a weight problem that is more severe than Roberts’ is making a mistake.

GUARD--Harper and Jackson, no concerns. Gary Grant is a nice backup if he plays as he did last season. But respect at shooting guard, where he will also play, won’t come too quickly without improvement on a career 45.2% shooting.

Some could argue that a three-guard rotation is all a team needs, but consider this: If Harper or Jackson gets hurt and Grant steps into the starting lineup, even if only for a game or two, the new security is Jaren Jackson, who spent most of last season in the Continental Basketball Assn., or rookie Randy Woods, a shooting guard trying to make the transition to the point.