Maggette, Thomas concerned about team

The frustration of a dismal season was evident in Chris Kaman’s recent words and is now spreading.

Two other veterans voiced similar concerns about the way the team is playing.

Leading scorer Corey Maggette cited injuries to players beyond Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston as a deterrent, but said that the team should be playing better than its overall record reflects.

“It’s just tough right now,” Maggette said. “We don’t have a lot of guys playing the right way.”

In the Clippers’ 37-point loss to the Lakers on Friday, point guard Dan Dickau made his first start of the season.

The Clippers have used 27 starting lineups because of a revolving door of injuries.

“This whole year has been up and down with lineups,” Maggette said. “You don’t know who’s going in. You don’t know who’s going to play.

“Our chemistry is a little suspect and we’re not executing our plays. Just not playing the right way and I start with myself. I need to play better defense.”

Forward Tim Thomas agreed, saying the team needs to start playing with next year in mind.

“Play hard and play the right way,” Thomas said. “Lately, it hasn’t been that way. Guys are -- I don’t know what you would call them -- stat monsters -- or whatever.

“It’s one of those things where we know we aren’t in the playoffs. We’ve got a lot of guys banged up. We’ve got young guys playing. You have to learn how to play the right way to get a foundation for next year. When you don’t go out and give an effort with the guys that are out there, it’s tough.”

The Clippers signed forward Nick Fazekas to a second 10-day contract. . . . Forward Aaron Williams is day-to-day with a strained abdominal muscle. . . . Point guard Brevin Knight (sore neck) did not play.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com