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The problems that derailed the Clippers' season are more systemic, beginning with a locker room culture that never developed, an identity that never formed, and a shocking lack of leadership that allowed some players to inexplicably ask Dunleavy for a day off after the team's 93-91 victory against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 25.

It was only their 15 th win of the season, and two nights later the team lost to Sacramento, the only team in the NBA that finished with a record worse than theirs.

It's a hard admission to make, an even harder feeling to take into the offseason, but even in private moments, on their way out the door of the team's training facility Thursday, several players acknowledged the complicated nature of the problem that caused the team to endure its worst season in nine years.

"You can put this on the record," forward Al Thornton said. "No, I don't think we need a new coach. I think we have a really good coach. It think it's up to us to buy in, as a whole, to what he's selling. I really don't think it's him."

So it's the players then?

"I don't know if I'd say it's all on the players (either)," Thornton said.

Davis told Dunleavy he wants to meet with him frequently over the summer so he can, in Dunleavy's words, "learn to think like me."

After a rocky start to his homecoming dance in Los Angeles, that would be a great start.

For better or worse, Dunleavy and Davis are likely stuck with each other for a while: the coach for as long as he keeps his job; Davis for as long as his weighty contract looks like a toxic asset to potential trading partners.

The good news is, both men seem to realize it. Dunleavy so he doesn't become the next Isiah Thomas, Davis so he doesn't become the next Stephon Marbury.

"I've had more meetings with him than any player I've ever had," Dunleavy said. "As far as sit-downs where you're trying to get a focus and understanding.

"The bottom line is, a lot of our success is on him. Health-wise, conditioning, the ability to push a ball and attack the rim, shoot a higher percentage. Those are all things he'd done in the past that need to start happening."

"I haven't had my meeting with him yet, but I know from meetings we have had, he says he's very committed to doing that."

All of which sounds like a pretty decent plan.

All of which will mean nothing unless it's put into action.

Ramona Shelburne, DailyNews

So which is it, Al? If it's not Dumbleavy and it's not the players, then who? Sterling? Roeser? No one's holding anyone accountable. This is ridiculous. Al's saying they have to "buy" into Dumb's system? Well, how long is that gonna take? Al's been with him for 2 seasons (more than the entire roster except Kaman) and has he really bought into it?

The hell with staying the course. Fire Dumb, hope we get Griffin, sign a couple of good FA's and trade Kaman, ZBo or Baron. NO MORE EXCUSES.

Can I blame it on the conditioning of the players? I want us to have that Phoenix training and rehab facility or take Phoenix's trainers... because if we had a healthy team from the start the team morale would've been a lot better. No consistently changing starting line ups, bad chemistry with new players, etc.

We were trying MD's system we tried defense adn the half-court offense of pound it to the PF.lol

I suspect AL to have a connection to Dunleavy, Dunleavy was the guy who draft him to this team.

Shelburne made a good point:

But firing Dunleavy at this stage would be like cutting off the hand of a patient with an infected foot.

Dunleavy is not the sole and lone cause of the team's problems. Fact of the matter, the desire to win has not existed in these players all season. I think they thought coming out of training camp that they could just show up and beat teams...and then when they were losing, they stopped caring. Whether its Dunleavy or the players, Dunleavy will be here next season and most of our core players will be here too. Baron ain't going anywhere. Zach either. So, learn to love each other-- and more importantly-- learn how to win.

it starts and ends with BD
he was so negative this season
cant blame it on Dunleavy


we have a nice squad we need to keep it and just have a good training camp

^^^ Sorry my friend but that is crap to blame this season solely on Baron.

Camby missing the preseason and the start of regular season was the first sign of trouble. Baron Davis was a problem as the season went along but he for damn sure wasn't thye only problem. The teams failure to execute in the 2nd Half and 4th Quater are both areas in which a coach uses his/her skill to maintain morale. Some if not most games the players were incapable of starting the game in the 1st quarter so that alone tells you the level of incompetences during perpartion for games. Futhermore if Baron was the only player to quit on the team then the blame would fall all on his shoulders however slowly but surely majority of the players on the team either A) Quit on the Season or B) Did not buy into the system. Mike Dunleavy is the helm of this team he is the one who decided we will still with the Elton Brand offensive system not Baron. This season starts and ends with Mike Dunleavy because he started this as GM in bringing these players in and he Finished it as Coach of this team. It's either the wrong players GM's fault or it's poor use of the players the Coaches fault.


Overall we have heard Baron Davis take blame for this season as he rightfully should but dammit I'll be Damn if Mike F'n Dunleavy doesn't open his F***** mouth and own up to this and face the fans. Until then Mike Dunleavy can kiss where the sun don't and STFU.

Note: Rant wasn't direct at you Scratch but at the whole crap @$$ season.



Damn that felt good.

I'm starting to think that the Clips will be better off trading Al, along with Baron, etc.

it still starts and ends with Baron our 4th quarter problems are bc of him
he has the ball in his hands he got paid the big bucks
and hes defense was the worst piece of shi*t u seen
how do u let Beno, Will Bynum,Morrow and a bunch of other scrubs kill u
i repeat kill u!!