Clippers Enjoying New Brand of Playoff Fever

They were a novelty act last season, plain and simple, a feel-good story for anyone who has ever rooted for an underdog. No one took them that seriously, though. They were, after all, the Clippers.

Through 65 games this season, a great deal has changed. The Clippers’ fortunes are as improved as their newly remodeled image around town and around the country. Perceptions have changed and continue to be changed.

The Clippers are no longer the pitiful cousins to the mighty Lakers, but perhaps on the verge of joining them in postseason play. When they meet tonight in Staples Center, the Clippers will be almost as hot as the Lakers, having won seven of 10 compared to eight of 10 for their more accomplished neighbors.

The question is, will the ninth-place Clippers have enough momentum to close the deal? With 17 games remaining, can they shoulder their way among the top eight teams in the Western Conference that will qualify for the playoffs?

There’s no doubt that they have been resilient, overcoming the loss of three key players for extended periods because of injuries and rallying to within a half-game of a playoff spot.

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The Clippers also have been quite good recently, winning a season-best four consecutive games and seven of their last eight. Their 34-31 record is their best this late in a season in a decade. They eclipsed last season’s total of 31 victories in their 63rd game.

Southland fans have responded. Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards marked the seventh consecutive sellout at Staples Center, extending the franchise record. It also was the team’s 16th sellout this season, another record.

“This is the reason why I wanted to be a part of this organization,” said power forward Elton Brand, who leads the team in points, rebounds and eternal optimism in his first season after a trade last summer from the Chicago Bulls.

“I honestly would be disappointed if we didn’t make the playoffs, but it’s not a lost season. It’s still a good season for us and for the organization. Still, the ultimate goal is to make the playoffs.”

Brand has been central to all the Clippers have accomplished this season and all they hope to accomplish. He averages 18.4 points and 11.8 rebounds and has sat out only two games because of injuries.

Without Brand’s relentless play around the basket, the Clippers would be lost at this point. With small forwards Lamar Odom and Corey Maggette and guard Keyon Dooling sidelined by injuries, the Clippers would have been excused for collapsing in a heap in recent weeks.

That it didn’t happen is testimony to Brand’s ability to step into the leadership role Odom previously held. In Odom’s absence, this has become Brand’s team. He has scored 10 or more points and taken 10 or more rebounds in 45 games this season, including 10 in a row.

Others have had their moments, but Brand, who turned 23 this week, has been as steady as the traffic on the Harbor Freeway.

“We’ve been consistently inconsistent,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “We’ve always had one guy carry us, but it’s not always been the same guy every game. And that’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned. Elton has always been the one guy who was there for us. We can always count on him to score 15 to 20 points and to get 10 to 15 rebounds. I would like to get that sort of production every night from all the guys, but I also think that’s totally unrealistic.”

In Gentry’s mind, the Clippers are a work in progress.

“We’re still striving for consistency,” he said. “We’re a young team. As long as we continue to work, we have a chance to get there.”

Perhaps because of the injuries to Odom, Maggette and Dooling, the Clippers have been forced to work twice as hard to remain in the playoff hunt. To their credit, they haven’t made any excuses, but have come together to play their best basketball under difficult circumstances.

“The more success you have, the more confident you are going to be,” Gentry said. “We’re still trying to play our way into the playoffs. We’re not there yet. We’ve got to play our way there. It still has to be the focus of our team.”

If recent games are an indication, Gentry’s message has gotten through to the Clippers.

They all appear to have picked up their games in the last few weeks, but center Michael Olowokandi and point guard Jeff McInnis stand out among a crowd of improving players.

Olowokandi has developed a deft touch around the basket, becoming an offensive threat with a variety of jump shots and hooks. He is no longer the predictable player he once was, but now has several determined moves near the hoop. He averages 9.5 points and 8.7 rebounds.

McInnis directs the team like a drill sergeant, which hasn’t always been to the Clippers’ benefit. But there are signs recently that he has softened a bit. He’s smiling more with his teammates, offering a hand to be slapped more frequently. With Odom and Maggette out, he’s emerged as the Clippers’ second-leading scorer, averaging 14.6 points and 6.1 assists.

In addition, reserves Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson have become more consistent, giving Gentry solid minutes on the road as well as at home. Miles’ acrobatic dunks ignite the team and its fans, but he also is playing sound defense.

Richardson has become a go-to guy inside and outside, averaging 13.8 points. He’s perhaps the leading candidate for NBA sixth man of the year honors.

How it all ends is anyone’s guess. Gentry believes the bottom line is that the team has improved and is heading in the right direction. Advancing to the playoffs is a reachable goal, but it’s not the only one.

“Our goal is to be playing our best basketball in March and April,” he said. “If the other teams ahead of us keep winning and we keep winning and we don’t make the playoffs, so be it.”