Clippers’ Ship Might Sink if They Don’t Get Leader

I dated this girl in college. I nicknamed her “Snow Beauty,” because one night it was really coming down and everyone on campus was outside clowning around when I came across this gorgeous sophomore making angels in the snow.

I suppose I could have called her “Snow Angel,” but who wants to date an angel when you’re in college?

Anyway, she was a No. 1 draft pick--if you know what I mean--and I was really infatuated with her until she got on my nerves and I had to dump her.

Now there’s a real distinction between infatuation and true love, of course, and I point that out because even though you’d think by now my wife has canceled her subscription to The Times, what if you’re wrong?

The important thing is I fell in love with my wife, and when she got on my nerves, I still hung in there. (Just an example of the kind of sweet nothings I like to whisper in my wife’s ear.)

I bring all this up now because I’m kind of at the infatuation/true love crossroads with the Clippers, who are really beginning to annoy me.

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I FELL hard for the Clippers a year ago. I was on time for all their games, found myself writing little notes of encouragement in the newspaper and listened to everything Alvin Gentry said as though I really cared. I was so smitten with the Clippers, I didn’t even notice the blemishes--you know Michael Olowokandi at center and Lamar Odom slipping out to get some fresh air.

That was the way we were....

Now I’d rather stay home on the couch and watch “The Eagle Has Landed” for a fifth time than go through the disappointment of watching the Clippers lose on the road. They’ve teased us, of course, with their captivating play in Staples Center, but I’m not sure I like where this relationship is headed.

I hearken back to those final days with Snow Beauty and all those times we went to the drive-in--coming home frustrated because we had to watch the movie she wanted to see, and if only once I had gotten the chance to see what I wanted to see.

I suppose I could have agreed to watch chick flicks for the rest of my life, but Snow Beauty wasn’t that pretty. Besides, I believe there has to be some give on everyone’s part to make a successful relationship, which brings me back to the Clippers, who just aren’t giving me enough.

“I’m surprised it’s taken this long for someone to get to that point,” Gentry said. “I told the guys at practice, ‘You’re not cute any more.’ That stuff we were doing last year was fun because there weren’t very many expectations, but now it has to be all about winning.”

The Clippers, coming off the favorable part of their schedule, are one of five teams vying for the final three playoff spots in the West with half the season having been played. With such a prize within reach, we’ve come to the point where the Clippers have to give us something more than just the usual razzmatazz at home, which I believe means trading Lamar Odom and acquiring a veteran with leadership skills before the NBA’s Feb. 21 deadline.

A year ago I would have never considered dumping Odom, but then I never noticed the way Snow Beauty used to rub her nose with the palm of her hand as if she was trying to smash it flat into her face. I guess I was the last one to notice her big nose, but that happens when you’re swept off your feet.

A year ago this was Odom’s team, but almost like a whipped puppy, he has stepped aside and allowed Elton Brand to dominate--the only problem being that Brand lacks the outward fire to rally the troops.

“I think we can [make the playoffs] if everyone decides winning games is more important than personal agendas,” Gentry said, and I asked who might step up and help make that happen?

“We’re still looking,” Gentry said.

Sean Rooks and Jeff McInnis were hired, in part, to provide leadership for the young ones, but both have been raging disappointments. On Monday McInnis showed the youngsters how to skip practice and get knocked from the starting lineup.

“The biggest need the Clippers have is on-court leadership,” said Bill Walton before broadcasting Monday night’s game against the Nuggets.

I suggested trading for Seattle guard Gary Payton, and Walton shook his head no. I mentioned Denver’s Nick Van Exel, and thought Walton was going to shake his head right off his shoulders.

I happen to think Walton is the most entertaining basketball announcer in the business, but I might change my mind if he continues to disagree with me.

Why not Payton? Odom is probably finished as a Clipper. He will be in position to accept offers from other teams at the end of the season, and while the Clippers can match any offer, I don’t see Sterling paying big bucks to someone with such a keen interest in experimenting with marijuana.

There have been radio rumors Miami is offering Brian Grant in exchange for Odom. I’m surprised the Heat isn’t offering Pat Riley for Odom.

What the Clippers need is a veteran guard, who can corral the talent they have, win on the road, pounce on the playoff opportunity at hand and maintain my affections.

I don’t think that’s asking for much, but then I felt the same way in my dealings with Snow Beauty, and that didn’t go anywhere. (The good news, of course, is it led me to my wife of 29 years and she doesn’t have a big nose.)

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TODAY’S LAST word comes in an e-mail from F.F:

“Your attitude toward the Raiders is unbalanced and unfair.”

I was hoping you’d notice.

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T.J. Simers can be reached at t.j.simers@latimes.com