Lack of Vision Keeps Clippers From Greatness

The Clippers are a disappointment, and while I realize that’s no great revelation, I’ve been admittedly slow in coming to that conclusion.

For the last two years I’ve found them to be the most entertaining show in town. I haven’t cared about the players’ contract whining because I’m not going to waste a second of my life worrying whether a 23-year-old basketball player earns $8 million a year as opposed to $11 million. I’ve seen a young and promising team, while others regard the young Clippers as stars in the making for other NBA teams.

I’ve interviewed Donald Sterling -- repeatedly -- and have given him the benefit of the doubt when Clipper history suggests this is one sports owner who deserves nothing but a boot out of town.

But now they’ve lost me with the short-sighted, idiotic decision to hold out for a better financial deal at the expense of not putting their games on local TV -- at a time when interest in the Clippers has never been higher, which isn’t saying a lot.

There has been a buzz around this team, the final 16 games selling out a year ago, raising the curiosity of local sports fans who long ago had given up on this franchise. But Tuesday night they were playing the Utah Jazz -- in position to defeat Karl Malone and John Stockton for the first time after 14 consecutive defeats, and just the kind of must-see TV a Clipper franchise needs if it’s going to compete for the entertainment dollar in a town that also houses the NBA champions.

It’s 85-84 Clippers with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter; take my word for it.

“I’d like to be able to offer more games on TV or cable, but even taking into consideration the fans, I just can’t give away our product to Fox or anyone else,” said Andy Roeser, who is in charge of making sure Sterling keeps his stingy reputation intact. “Fox offered to air our games at a 20% pay cut from last year on the basis of locking up our games for the next eight years. We don’t think that’s good business.”

The Clippers aren’t in position to tell anyone anything about what is good business. And while Fox is no authority on what good entertainment is all about as evidenced by what it puts on the air, this is one of those situations where it appears everyone loses ... the Clippers again most of all.

It’s 90-88 Clippers with 2:22 left, and what a show you’re missing.

Every Laker game is on TV, and then the playoffs start. The Clippers will have 25 games on KTLA, four on Telemundo, and another dozen or so on TNT or ESPN. Over the last few years they’ve averaged 65 appearances a season -- so while improving on the court they are retreating on the tube.

It’s 92-92 with one minute to play, and Staples Center is rocking.

As horrible as the Clippers have been, they should pay to be on TV, making the short-term investment to keep the fans’ interest, while going for the big payday if they ever make the playoffs.

“Ridiculous,” said a Clipper official, and I don’t think he was talking about making the playoffs.

Final score: Jazz 99, Clippers 94. Never mind -- same old losers.

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An Associated Press reporter asked Coach Alvin Gentry before the game how good the Clippers might be had everyone stayed healthy.

Gentry said, “That’s irrelevant. What would I accomplish if I was married to Halle Berry?

“My wife isn’t going to like that so can you keep that out of the paper?”

No problem, I said.

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THEY CALLED the Tropicana first with the intention of having Christy Martin and Mia St. John wrestle in mud to promote their pay-per view boxing match. They had no idea the Tropicana was closed.

They thought about staging a press conference at a local strip joint before they turned their attention to Frederick’s of Hollywood.

They hoped to dress the boxers in lingerie, and then orchestrate a pillow fight complete with feathers flying everywhere, but Frederick’s rejected the idea.

They finally settled on frozen turkey bowling on the ice in Pershing Square for the benefit of KTLA and CNN cameras.

“People used to look at us like some kind of freak show, but now they are taking us more seriously,” said Martin after sliding her turkey across the ice for a strike for KTLA, and an eight for CNN.

I couldn’t stop laughing long enough to learn when they’re going to fight, where, and for what reason. I’ll get back to you on that when they finish bowling.

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I JUST love this one: Nebraska Coach Frank Solich and Colorado Coach Gary Barnett, along with the presidents of both universities, issued an open letter to football fans urging them to be good sports at Friday’s game in Lincoln. I mean how many people can read in Nebraska?

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YOU’VE GOT to give Steve Lavin credit; he’s consistent.

And I guess you’ve got to give Bob Toledo credit; he’s consistent.

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KIDZ2FEED E-MAILED to say: “Chris Leak, the consensus No. 1 high school quarterback from North Carolina will be on the Trojan sidelines for an official visit Saturday. Please make sure you introduce yourself to him if you’re going to attend the game. Tennessee, Texas, Florida and Iowa will be forever indebted.”

I’ve got to give the kid credit for being so smart; some people will do anything to get the chance to watch Notre Dame play.

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TODAY’S LAST word comes in an e-mail from Tony K:

“You talk about Carson Palmer not being worthy of the Heisman. What planet have you been smoking grass on.... I believe nobody has played better than this kid. Your ignorance cannot see that. I’ve seen you on TV and please get off your high horse. Your very ugly, out of shape and seem to have this tremendous ego which does not serve you right.... Listen stop with your ignorance and try something new. I dont no maybe GOOD sports writing”

I think you’re right; I don’t think we’re from the same planet.

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