Back Spasms Sideline Vaught

Forward Loy Vaught, the Clippers’ leading scorer and rebounder last season, didn’t dress for Friday night’s game against the Bulls because of back spasms.

Vaught is off to the worst start of his seven year career after suffering a toe injury in the Clippers’ fourth game of the season.

Vaught, who averaged 14.9 points, 10 rebounds and shot 50% last season, is averaging 7.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and shooting 42.9% this season.

Coach Bill Fitch said Vaught’s poor production has been a major reason for the Clippers’ poor start.

“Loy has been a main factor,” Fitch said. “He concerns us a lot, more than anybody will let on.

“We had a long conversation today. He’s talking about old age. He says he’s feeling 48. I said 48 is young.”

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Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor took offense to Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsay’s statement that the Clippers are the least talented team in the league.

“They may be the least talented team in the NBA,” Ramsay said after watching the Clippers give up a season-worst 45 points the first quarter of Wednesday night’s loss at Miami. “They made the playoffs last year, but how many games did they win? How many players do the Clippers have who could start for other teams?”

Not so said Baylor, who assembled the Clippers.

“It’s easy to make comments like that after our performance in Miami and the way we’ve been struggling,” Baylor said.

“Ramsay is respected in basketball, but with all due respect to him, I don’t agree with his opinion.

“Our entire basketball staff was convinced before the beginning of the season that we had improved our team. We believe that we have talented people on this team and that we can be more competitive than we have shown.”