Clippers Still a Ship Without a Rudder

Clipper owner Donald Sterling might be the biggest winner during the NBA lockout.

That’s because the Clippers are the only team in the league without a head coach. They’ve had a vacancy since firing Bill Fitch on April 20.

Even though the Clippers are responsible for the last two years of Fitch’s contract at $4 million, Sterling has made sure that the team hasn’t had to take on an additional salary until the league’s lockout gets closer to being settled.

Jim Brewer, who spent the last four seasons as an assistant under Fitch, leads a group of three finalists. Eddie Jordan and Chris Ford remain the other candidates who have interviewed the last two weeks.

Brewer, a 12-year NBA center who played on the 1982 Laker championship team, has a background working with big men--which is a plus considering that the Clippers’ No. 1 draft pick was Michael Olowokandi, a 7-footer.

“I don’t think that it hurts my position that I played center all of my career,” said Brewer, who probably could be signed for much less than going rate for NBA head coaches. “I’ve also had good success working with big men all of my coaching career.”

Said Olowokandi: “It would help me if whoever is named coach can work with big men and has NBA experience. Someone who can teach as well as coach the big man position.”

If the NBA lockout continues into next month, Olowokandi might decide to play in Europe next season, according to agent Bill Duffy.

“I’m looking at all of our options because to my understanding, it’s 50-50 to whether there will be a season,” Duffy said. “With a player like Michael, it’s important for him to keep playing. He needs time to continue to develop.”

Brewer may not have head coaching experience at the NBA level--something that concerns the Clippers. After his playing career ended, Brewer joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as a scout and then worked his way up to director of player personnel. He also spent time as an assistant coach and assistant general manager before joining the Clippers in 1994.

If Brewer, 45, is passed over because of his lack of head coaching experience, Jordan could be the choice. Jordan, 44, had a 33-64 record over the last 1 1/2 seasons coaching Sacramento but was fired by the Kings in August.

Jordan, who played on that ’82 Laker team during his seven NBA seasons, played a role in developing Michael Stewart, a 6-11 center who had a strong rookie season for the Kings after signing as a free agent out of California.

Ford is in the hunt because of his experience. He was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks in August after compiling a 69-95 record over two seasons. Ford, who played 10 seasons with Detroit and Boston, also coached the Celtics for five seasons and has a 291-283 overall record.

It’s unlikely the Clippers will announce their choice until the league gets closer to playing. Paul Westphal and George Karl were originally high on the team’s list but ended up at Seattle and Milwaukee, respectively, while the Clippers waited. Look for the wait to continue for a while.