KMAX: Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) Mike Dunleavy never felt sorry for the Los Angeles Clippers when he coached the Lakers back in 1991-92.

That was the same season Magic Johnson retired for the first time and one of the few times the Clippers made the playoffs.

Dunleavy's primary goal this season as the Clippers' sixth head coach in six seasons is to make certain no one has any reason to feel sorry for them. He made that clear on Monday during the team's media day.

``They've shown great flashes,'' Dunleavy said. ``I love the opportunity to get out on the floor with these guys and teach them and try to explain to them how it works. It's a long-term process.''

The Clippers are coming off consecutive 30-win seasons for the first time since Larry Brown guided them to the playoffs in 1992-93.

But three of last season's starters Lamar Odom, Michael Olowokandi and Andre Miller are no longer with the team. Neither is 3-point threat Eric Piatkowski, who played more games for the Clippers in Los Angeles than anyone else.

``We have a challenge, because we're so young,'' Dunleavy said. ``But these guys really work hard, and they're like sponges. You can just see it in their eyes. They want to learn and do the right things, and become better players and a better team.

``So this is an exciting time for a coach and a teacher.''

The patience of the crowds that came out more than 17,000 strong per night has been wearing thin. The Clippers failed to make the playoffs for the fifth straight season, finishing 39-43.

But forward Elton Brand, who was third in the league last year in rebounds and blocked shots, is confident Dunleavy can take them to the next level.

``He brings a winning style of basketball,'' Brand said. ``He knows how to win. And when you see a coach whose won that many games, it's easy to follow him.''

Two seasons ago, the Clippers began earning respect with a talented group of energetic young of players who appeared on the verge of being a solid team. But an assortment of injuries to key players, including Odom and Olowokandi, put them back at square one.

Odom and Olowokandi both signed offer sheets with other teams, which were not matched by frugal owner Donald Sterling who did match offer sheets on Brand and Corey Maggette.

``We're not one of the top six teams in the West. Everybody knows who they are. They spend a hundred million dollars on their guys, for the most part, and they've got a lot of veterans and a lot of talent,'' Dunleavy said.

``But we want to be that team that's coming and a team they know they have a battle with every night. And if we can get it all together quicker than most people expect, then maybe we have a shot to play some meaningful games in April.''

Dunleavy, the NBA coach of the year with Portland in 1999, comes into this unenviable task with a career record of 398-390. His players are intent on keeping him above .500.

``We can't let coach go under,'' Keyon Dooling said with a grin. ``Hopefully, we can just pick up on his system and everybody will buy into it.

``It's very complicated, but it's not out of control. You can understand it. Defensive is number one. We need to talk and be able to communicate on the court, so it's a whole new language we're learning.''