Short-Handed Clippers Fall to the Bucks, 104-85

Interim Coach Jim Todd has heard the whispers and read the reports that have him gone after the completion of the season.

But Todd has not let rumors or run-ins with his players sidetrack him from working hard to get the Clippers victories down the stretch.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened too much since he took over in early February. On Thursday night, the Clippers lost again, 104-85, to the Milwaukee Bucks before 10,854 at Staples Center.

Milwaukee guard Ray Allen scored 25 of his game-high 35 points in the second half as the Clippers played again without injured starters Lamar Odom and Maurice Taylor and lost their ninth game in a row.

“We all know what our problem is and our problem is defense,” Todd said. “We let guys drive down the middle of the lane, we don’t get back. . . . It frustrates me. . . . I don’t think it is because the guys don’t sacrifice enough, but we’re not a cohesive unit. That’s the best way to put it.”

Todd, who dropped to 3-25 with Thursday’s loss, has learned a great deal since he took over for Chris Ford. Because he had spent most of his 23 years in coaching at the college level, Todd is learning the pro game on the job,

Other than his two seasons with the Clippers, Todd’s only experience in the league was two seasons as an assistant with the Bucks from 1996-98. Some of his former Milwaukee players believe Todd has a future in the league because of his honesty.

Said Allen: “To see him work and finally get his chance proves that good things happen to good people.”

Against the Bucks, Todd started a lineup that included big men Michael Olowokandi and Keith Closs. Although the move wasn’t overly successful, as the two players combined for 15 points and 16 rebounds, it’s another example of Todd’s willing to try different lineups to get the most out of the Clippers.

“This has definitely been a learning experience for me,” said Todd, who started Tyrone Nesby despite the dispute the two had Tuesday against Dallas. “We’re trying to do things to get us to be more consistent. We want our guys to get better even though we only have a few weeks to go. I want us to play like a team, look like a team and play hard. I think we’ve been doing that.”

Maybe Allen put it best when he said everyone around the league knows that anyone who coaches the Clippers has an uphill battle.

“In this league, you can be up here one day and down the next,” Allen said. “Sometimes, assistant coaches turn out to be great head coaches when they are given time. If he gets a chance to put his personality and his imprint on the team by getting his type of players, he’ll surprise people.

“He’s just in a tough situation here. J.T.’s not going to start any controversy, but I think if there’s someone to stand up for the Clippers’ franchise, he’s a good man to do it. Everyone knows how the franchise has been losing for a million years even with all of their first-round draft choices. Something has to be done.”