Johnson Is Realistic

The results have been just about as bad as when Alvin Gentry was in charge, but Dennis Johnson insists he’s enjoying his first experience as an NBA head coach. Johnson is not content to be a mere caretaker as the Clippers play out perhaps their most disappointing season, but he also is a realist.

“To say they’re responding and doing the things I want them to be doing, well, I’m doing the same stuff that Alvin was doing half the time,” said Johnson, who is 2-7 since replacing Gentry as the Clipper coach March 3.

“I’ll say it like this: I think the guys are playing hard. The one thing I do know is that when you’re an assistant, guys will tell you anything. When I moved over [from assistant to head coach], I noticed they don’t talk to me in the same fashion.”

Asked for his opinion of the job, Johnson said, “I like it. I love it. I love the position I’m in. I like the decisions I’m making. The decisions are mine to make.”

When he made the coaching change, General Manager Elgin Baylor made it clear Johnson had the rest of the season to impress management. A decision on whether Johnson keeps the job -- or whether the team will look outside the organization for a new coach -- won’t be made until the season ends.

TONIGHT

vs. Denver, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (1150), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).

Records -- Clippers 21-46, Nuggets 14-53.

Record vs. Nuggets -- 1-1.

Update -- The Clippers have defeated the Nuggets in six of their last eight games and have a five-game winning streak against them at Los Angeles.