OK, It Took 17 Games, but Clippers Discover You Can’t Lose ‘Em All

After seeing a fantastic game in which the Clippers were trying to avoid their 17th loss in a row and the Milwaukee Bucks their ninth, I don’t think the man thought it all the way through when he said: “Don’t just play not to lose.”

ANDY BYRNE, Alhambra

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I feel compelled to respond to Mike Downey’s column of Dec. 5. My father and I have been season-ticket holders since the Clippers came to Los Angeles. I understand that it is easy to make fun of the Clippers, but how do you expect the team to play better or be more motivated when their own city is not behind them?

Since they arrived here, they seem to have only fair-weather fans. Two years ago, when they went to the playoffs, the arena was packed. Now, when they need the support of Los Angeles more than ever, no one attends the games and they get constantly trashed by the media. Maybe if people had a more positive attitude toward the team, it might give the players the incentive to win that has been lacking. Let’s try to root them to a victory instead of an 0-82 season.

DEENA ESENSTEN, Los Angeles

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I was amused to read Mark (Matador Defense) Jackson’s contention that the reason the Clippers stink this year is because last year no one on the team hustled (except for Jackson, of course, and two unnamed “others”). Actually, this year’s Clippers stink because they have very little talent and what little they have lacks experience.

Nonetheless, the current Clippers are better coached than last year’s, and they play the game with more spirit and even, yes, intelligence. Last year’s team had far more talent, but they cheated their fans and I grew to hate them. This year’s team seems hopeless, yet they refuse to quit or make cheap excuses. They deserve some loyalty.

MARK ROWLAND, Los Angeles

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L.A. has survived earthquakes, riots, fires and floods, but the Clippers just might make us cry “uncle!”

JIM KARLOCK, Hawthorne