New Coach Has a Lot to Learn About Clippers

Every morning for the last week, Clipper Coach Chris Ford and assistants Jim Brewer and Jim Todd met at the Sports Arena to discuss strategy for the upcoming season.

Considering that the Clippers were the last team in the league to name a coaching staff, the time they had to go over things before the lockout officially ended was a blessing at first. But that got old quickly. The more Ford looked over his new team, the more eager he became to get started.

“It was a big relief [when the league informed the Clippers Wednesday about the end of the lockout] because we can finally get back to work and do what we do, and that’s coach,” Ford said. “We’ve been waiting and waiting. Now, we can go ahead full speed.”

Where they can go is yet to be determined, but at least Ford knows what he’s going to bring to the table when training camp begins today at College of the Desert in Palm Desert.

The reason Ford wanted the Clipper job in the first place is the same reason he says he’s excited about the team’s future: He loves to coach.

“When I looked at the Clippers, I saw a team with a lot of bright young talent up front, and I think that I can make a difference,” said Ford, who said he is not concerned about the team’s 17-65 record last season or the problems he had in his two previous head coaching jobs, at Boston and Milwaukee.

“My attitude is that you’re always learning about individuals and the game. You’re always going to try to do things better. . . . I don’t have a large ego, but I know in the end it’s up to the head coach to make the final decision of why and where.”

With the Clippers, Ford realizes turning things around is going to be difficult. He says he won’t prejudge the players, and he’s counting on them to start off the same way.

“Everyone has their own impression about our personnel, but I really don’t know,” Ford said. “I’m coming in with an open mind. The players are going to have to prove that they want to be a part of the organization. I’m easy to work with, but I can be demanding. I want to make the game fun for them, but that happens when you work.”

With last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Michael Olowokandi, already billed as the Clippers’ center of the future, Ford’s first goal is to find a point guard who can lead the type of team he wants.

Ford’s belief is the game requires solid defense and unselfishness on offense. He wants a point guard who leads that way. A player who looks to pass first, can make the open shot and does not gamble too much defensively.

Free-agent veteran Sherman Douglas might fill that role, but the Clippers reportedly have made a late run at free agent Kevin Johnson. Pooh Richardson is the only true point guard on the roster, with James Robinson being able to play both backcourt positions. Darrick Martin, who started much of the last two seasons at point guard, is a free agent who probably won’t return because the Clippers consider him more of a shooting guard playing point.

“We’re still talking to a few people,” Ford said about the team’s point guard search. “As a coach, of course you would like everything to be perfect and get what you want. But whomever we end up with, we’ll go with.”

Because Olowokandi’s contract with Kinder Bologna in the Italian League prevents him from joining the Clippers until at least the first week of February, Ford plans to use Lorenzen Wright a lot at center early on. The other centers are Keith Closs and Stojko Vrankovic.

Having an imposing center who can block shots is important for Ford’s “help out” defense. He wants the Clippers to be a team that never gives up an easy shot.

“I’m going to have to be a salesman, selling a pitch to the players to buy into,” Ford said. “I want them to know that we are all in this together and that it’s a group effort. It’s not up to one person.”

Clipper Notes

The Clippers will have their first training camp practice today at 5:30 p.m. at College of the Desert. The team will practice twice a day beginning Friday, with the morning workouts from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the evening workouts planned for 5:30-9. The Clippers are scheduled to leave College of the Desert after Tuesday’s morning practice and then will work out at the team’s Carson practice site for the rest of the shortened season. . . . The Clippers’ scrimmage will be open to the public Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Sports Arena. Plans for ticket distribution will be released later this week. Exhibition games against the Lakers have been confirmed for Jan. 29 at the Great Western Forum and Jan. 30 at the Sports Arena. . . . Rodney Rogers made his first appearance at an informal Clipper workout Wednesday. Rogers, a 6-foot-7 forward in his sixth season, had been a no-show for the first seven voluntary practices and is in the final year of his contract. Rogers joined Lamond Murray, Eric Piatkowski, Charles Smith, rookie Brian Skinner, Vrankovic and Wright.

* A DONE DEAL: The NBA labor agreement is finalized, the lockout is lifted. Training camps open and schedules will be released today. Page 5

* LOY VAUGHT: Former Clipper returns home to Michigan, will sign five-year deal with Pistons. Page 5

* LAKERS: Free agent Rick Fox agrees to remain with the team on a one-year contract. Page 5

* EX GAMES: League releases its exhibition schedule. Page 9