Record Is Only Thing Identical for This Team

Remember last season’s 15-67 team? The same one that opened with Chris Ford as coach and ended with interim Jim Todd and celebrated assistants Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dennis Johnson?

The 1999-2000 Clippers lost nine games in a row from Nov. 26 to Dec. 11, but still had an 8-18 record after 26 games--the same as this season’s team.

So despite the growing attention the team has received thanks to the emergence of Lamar Odom and the arrival of Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles, Keyon Dooling and Corey Maggette, the Clippers are no better than they were with the individual exploits of Maurice Taylor and Derek Anderson last season.

Or are they?

“I am not even thinking about last year to tell you the truth,” said Odom, who leads the Clippers in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and steals and is second in assists. “This is a whole different team . . . It doesn’t feel the same because we have played a lot better. We took the Lakers down to the wire . . . we’ve played some real good basketball at times.

“[Our problem] is that we have to approach games better . . . we have to go after every one as if it is our last game.”

As recently as Dec. 10, the Clippers seemed to be a young team ready to make a run. After a dismal 1-6 trip, the Clippers returned to Staples Center and defeated an Orlando Magic team that included Grant Hill, then lost a tough game to Miami in overtime.

At Phoenix, the Clippers played their most complete game of the season, defeating the Suns. A victory over Washington on Sunday would have given the Clippers three wins in four games.

Instead, the Clippers lost by nine points, leaving them 3-8 over their last 11 games and looking like an inexperienced team still lacking maturity.

“We’re getting better . . . although our record may not show it,” center Michael Olowokandi said. “We would have definitely liked to have won against Washington following our big road win at Phoenix, but we’re young.”

Added Coach Alvin Gentry: “It was another one of those painful learning experiences,” he said about Sunday’s loss to the Wizards. “Now we’re back to ground zero, trying to establish consistency.”

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Rookie shooting guard Richardson is built like a fullback, but that has not stopped him from suffering more than his share of minor injuries. Richardson is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against Minnesota at Staples Center after suffering an ankle injury against Washington.

Richardson was injured when he was stepped on by center Jahidi White in the second quarter. Richardson did not return to the game, but he said Monday he plans to play against the Timberwolves. This is the second time this season Richardson has been sidelined because of an ankle injury. He also has missed time because of back spasms, calf and thigh injuries.

Point guard Jeff McInnis, slowed Sunday because of food poisoning, did not practice Monday and is questionable for Wednesday’s game.