Call Gentry the Eternal Optimist

Coach Alvin Gentry called it “the season from hell� again Wednesday, but also said he never dreads coming to work, hoping that today is the day the Clippers at last play to their potential. He also said he believes the organization, and especially General Manager Elgin Baylor, is on his side.

“I talk to Elgin a lot,� Gentry said. “About the team. About what we can do to make the team better. About what it takes to get things turned around. I do feel he’s in my corner. He’s been very supportive.�

Conventional wisdom suggests Gentry will be fired at season’s end -- if not sooner.

“If you look at the situation,� Gentry said. “I mean, I’m still here. If you look at it and evaluate it, I’m not sure it would be like that in a lot of other situations. Right now, the only thing I’m worried about is how can I get this team playing well.�

Gentry has not been keen to use injuries as an excuse for the team’s 19-34 record after Wednesday’s 111-104 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Three starters -- Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Michael Olowokandi -- have been sidelined by arthroscopic knee surgery, for instance, and the Clippers have yet to have their top 12 players fit and in the lineup.

The Clippers were without Olowokandi (who continues to rehabilitate his left knee), Keyon Dooling (sprained left arch) and Quentin Richardson (common cold) Wednesday against the Bucks. Olowokandi is expected to sit out for at least another month. The status of Dooling and Richardson is uncertain for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

“I don’t know what their thinking is,� Gentry said when asked about the team’s coaching plans beyond this season. His contract expires after the season, but the Clippers hold an option on 2003-04.

“I’d like to be back,� he said. “I still think there’s a lot of good that can be done here. I’d like to coach this thing through. This season has not been a true reflection of the players we have here.... I haven’t dreaded going to work. My whole deal is that every day I go, is the one we’re going to turn it around in the right direction. But the responsibility [for the team’s poor record] falls squarely on my shoulders.�