It’s Crunch Time for the Clippers

So here you are again, Donald Sterling, standing at yet another crossroads, given yet another chance to take the path that will lead the team you own, the Clippers, to respectability and success.

You have the first pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft. You have the opportunity to hire a visionary coach to take you into a new building, the Staples Center, and a new century.

With all the turmoil and uncertainty in this town, from the Lakers to the Dodgers, your team has a chance to emerge as the stable one.

Your fans are rooting for you, Donald, both of them.

But you know what the doubters are saying because you’ve heard it so many times before.

They will mess it up because they are the Clippers.

Don’t pay any attention. Just do the right thing and prove them wrong.

Ah, but what is the right thing? You have said so many times that running a sports team is the most difficult thing you have ever done, that all of your success in the business world means nothing in the sports world.

So, even though you didn’t ask, we’d like to point you down the right path. All it will take is five easy steps.

STEP NO. 1

Forget Jerry West

Don’t listen to all the speculation about how he’s leaving the Lakers and will naturally come across town if you offer him a sweet enough deal.

For some reason, Jerry Buss is suddenly being pictured as cheap and out of touch, a man who doesn’t want to give West what he is worth and thinks he can win another NBA title by himself.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The first thing Buss did when he and Frank Mariani bought the team from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 was to concede that he was smart enough to know what he didn’t know, which was how to put together a basketball dynasty. Buss turned the basketball end of the business over to West and Bill Sharman and generally stayed out of the decision-making process (are you listening, Donald?) except for an occasional idea that he felt strongly about.

Money is not expected to be a stumbling block to West’s future involvement with the Lakers. Differences over the amount of power West will have as a new generation of Busses gets involved in the team may be harder to resolve.

But the chances of luring him across town, Donald, aren’t good. West wants to make sure there is no meddling by ownership on the Lakers. He knows that you meddle, Donald.

You could try to lure him by offering him a piece of the team, but Buss could also do that. He has already done so with Magic Johnson.

So head in a direction other than West.

STEP NO. 2

Get Phil Jackson

After a sixth NBA title, the coach of the Chicago Bulls is stepping down to explore other avenues and find new challenges.

Have you got a challenge for him, Donald.

Although Jackson might have had enough of life on the bench, life in the front office may be appealing. He wouldn’t have to baby-sit Dennis Rodman and he wouldn’t have to deal with Jerry Krause.

What about Elgin Baylor?

Keep him. It will take several basketball minds to turn your operation around, Donald.

Give Jackson a title. How does team president sound?

And then turn him loose to show you how he won those six titles.

STEP NO. 3

Get Rick Majerus

Yes, we know that Baylor doesn’t like college coaches, Donald. But the pro coaches he has been employing haven’t exactly been racking up the wins.

Majerus, the Utah coach, is personable, he knows his Xs and O’s and he knows how to deal with players.

Yes, Donald, we know you are interested in George Karl, who is interested in the Bulls’ job. He might do well as your coach.

But why not try something different, something to shake up a team and an operation that has come to regard the head coaching position as a job best filled by a temp agency.

Majerus has his contractual obligations, but Utah won’t stand in his way if he really wants out.

How do you get him to want out? Same way you get Jackson. Promise to stick to your other businesses and offer a nice salary.

STEP NO. 4

Get Mike Bibby

Don’t be tempted by center Michael Olowokandi. Don’t listen to all those offers for your pick. Those deals always seem better in theory than in fact. You would give up the star of the draft in exchange for a bunch of bodies who’ll be playing in rec leagues while Bibby leads someone else’s offense to glory.

You’ve got a solid frontcourt. But you desperately need someone to get your big men the ball.

For once in your erratic life as a sports owner, stick with the solid choice.

STEP NO. 5

Forget Ike Austin

In his half season with your club, the free-agent center showed alarming inconsistency, in scoring and rebounding. He simply wasn’t there every night. He’s got a big body, but he doesn’t use it to play aggressive defense.

Don’t buy that argument that he couldn’t play for Coach Bill Fitch. A good player has the pride and integrity to perform every night, regardless of who is running the team.

There are other good free-agent centers out there, Vlade Divac for one. Get someone who’ll be there every night.

So just follow those steps, Donald, and we’ll see at you at the playoffs.

Guaranteed.