Losses Just Keep On Coming for Clippers

If the NBA kept track of obscure individual records, the Clippers’ Eric Piatkowski would have a mark all to himself--most defeats with the same team over six consecutive seasons.

Thanks to the Clippers’ 13th loss in a row, a 95-88 defeat to the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night, Piatkowski suffered his 333rd defeat since joining the franchise as a rookie in 1994.

Piatkowski, who re-signed with the Clippers last summer, doesn’t like to talk about the losing, though.

“I’ve thought about it [the number of Clipper losses] and I don’t even want to go there,” said Piatkowski, drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th overall pick and then traded to the Clippers on June 30, 1994.

“The losses hurt me a lot more than I think I let on. I can’t stand it. I try and be the most positive person that I can and be professional. It’s my job and they pay me pretty well to do it. Of course, I would like it better but [it’s out of my control].”

Piatkowski, whose record dropped to 122-333 with the Clippers’ latest defeat before an announced crowd of 14,724 at Staples Center, signed a four-year, $12-million contract last off-season because he felt the franchise was headed in the right direction.

With the addition of rookie Lamar Odom and third-year guard Derek Anderson, Piatkowski thought the Clippers would win enough this season to change their losing image.

“Financially it was the best move for me and my family, but I really was looking forward to a big change this year,” Piatkowski said. “A lot of people and even a lot of sportswriters had us being a lot better. I was excited about us finally moving into a new arena and we had by far the most talent since I’ve been here.

“I really thought we would turn it around this year but the way it has turned out, it’s been the worst season we’ve had since I became a Clipper.”

Against the Suns, the Clippers looked strong early, but as usual, their solid play didn’t last long.

After taking a 13-point lead midway into the first quarter, the Clippers slowly returned to their selfish ways. Instead of keeping with their game plan of moving the ball around and taking advantage of the Suns’ switching defense, the Clippers started forcing shots and their lead disappeared with each missed attempt.

With former Clipper Rodney Rogers and Cliff Robinson doing most of the damage, Phoenix took control of the game in the second quarter and led, 43-40, at halftime.

The Clippers scored the first eight points of the second half but again the Suns quickly rallied. The Suns managed a 65-65 tie by the end of the third quarter and then outscored the Clippers, 30-23, in the fourth.

Odom led the Clippers with 26 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, and Anderson added 25 points and five assists.

Maurice Taylor had only eight points and one rebound in 29 minutes and aggravated his sprained left ankle.

Phoenix, which has won 10 in a row over the Clippers, was led by Robinson’s 22 points. The Suns also received 18 off the bench from Todd Day and 17 each from Penny Hardaway and Shawn Marion.

For Piatkowski, there’s always next season.

“I hope we get some players who want to be here and want to work hard . . . it is so important to lock guys into contracts of at least three or four years,” Piatkowski said.

“Every year, we seem to have guys who are going to be free agents and they act like they don’t care.

“I think the selfishness and all the stuff that has gone on this year would not happen if we had guys signed to long-term deals.”