Clippers Traditionally Have Trouble Keeping Their House Together

I am a general contractor. If I nail only 75% of the house, the structure would not be sound. If I install only 75% of the roofing material correctly, the structure will leak. These are fundamentals of building that my clients expect me to have mastered. If I haven’t mastered them, the house fails and I don’t get paid.

Yet the Clippers don’t play fundamental defense and they clamor for better road accommodations. Their most likely All-Star shoots 72% at the line and complains about his relationship with the coach. Two of their other starters shoot 52% and 73% and they, along with Danny Manning, voice displeasure at their contract negotiations and demand more money and more security.

Don’t lay this on the coach, don’t lay this on Mr. Sterling. A few weeks ago, Manning even tried to lay this on the lack of fan support. No, lay this sorry state of affairs on the players (and their agents) who just go through the motions, night after night, season after season.

GARY GREENBAUM

Los Angeles