As if the Clippers' season already wasn't an ugly affair, former vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor has filed a civil lawsuit against the team, owner Donald T. Sterling and team president Andy Roeser.
The 74-year old Baylor, who served as a team executive for 22 years until he was let go last October, is accusing the Clippers of age discrimination and racism. Although Baylor is seeking undisclosed monetary, non-monetary and punitive damages, it is a no-win situation for all involved. Baylor was invited by the Clippers to attend last week's All-Star festivities but not surprisingly, he declined. According to Baylor's legal team, there hasn't been any dialogue between the two sides in months regarding reaching an amicable financial settlement.
At 13-41, the Clippers appear destined for their worst finish since the 2002-2003 season, when they finished 27-55. The Clippers would have to go 15-13 over their final 28 games to avoid matching the record of that season.
The Clippers have 15 of those remaining games at home, but Staples Center has not been much of a sanctuary this season. The Clippers are 6-20 at home and actually have one more victory on the road than they do on their home floor.
First up, is a rematch Wednesday against the Suns in one of those unique NBA road-and-home back-to-back affairs.
Following that, the Clippers will have three days off to lick their wounds and perhaps mastermind a plan to avoid finishing with the worse record in the NBA.
Only the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Wizards have fewer victories than the Clippers, and yet another trip to the draft lottery -- the Clippers' 10th in the past 11 years, awaits.
SUNS 140, CLIPPERS 100: It was the Clippers' most lopsided loss of the season and it came at the hands of Suns coach Alvin Gentry, in his first game since being promoted from assistant coach to take over for the fired Terry Porter. Gentry was the Clippers' head coach for 2-1/2 seasons from 2000 to 2003.
