Rogers Knows He’s at Fault

This was supposed to be Rodney Rogers’ big year. After career numbers (15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds a game) last season, many believed Rogers would improve on those averages in the final year of his contract with the Clippers.

But heading into tonight’s game at San Antonio, Rogers is averaging only 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. Rogers does not blame anyone but himself.

“I really didn’t think that we were going to play [because of the lockout],” Rogers said. “That was dumb on my part. I should have been getting myself prepared. My contract year and coming in not ready to play really hurt me. I just have to finish [the season] up strong.”

Rogers, who started a trucking company in North Carolina last fall, said that he did not spend enough time on basketball because of his new interest.

“They kept talking about the lockout and that we weren’t going to play, so I kind of just said, ‘I’m just starting out, let me get my business straight,’ ” Rogers said. “Then bam bam [the season] got started real quick. It’s my fault.”

Not only did Rogers have to work his way into shape, he also has had to deal with injuries. Knee problems have forced him to miss three games and Friday he had X-rays taken for a rib injury. He is expected to play tonight.

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The Clippers’ 3-27 record is the worst in franchise history after 30 games. The previous mark was 5-25 in 1994-95 and last season.

Although the Clippers are the third youngest team in the league with an average player age of 26 years and 150 days, Coach Chris Ford is disappointed with the amount of games his team has lost because of poor execution.

“I want to win every game,” said Ford, who has a 294-310 career record. “That’s what the goal is. To win.”

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As expected, point guard Troy Hudson signed a second 10-day contract on Friday. . . . By starting Darrick Martin, Tyrone Nesby, Michael Olowokandi, Maurice Taylor and Rogers against the Mavericks, Ford used his 15th lineup in 30 games this year, the most in the NBA.

TONIGHT at San Antonio

5:30 PST, Channel 9

* Site--Alamodome.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 3-27, Spurs 21-10.

* Record vs. Spurs--0-1.

* Update--San Antonio has won three in a row and eight of its last 10 games. Tim Duncan has been a major reason for the Spurs’ recent charge and he had a career-high 39 points in a victory over Vancouver on Thursday. David Robinson did not play against the Grizzlies because of an inflamed left knee and is questionable. The Spurs crushed the Clippers, 114-85, last month at San Antonio.