Clippers’ ending won’t be happy

Donald T. Sterling

Sterling World Plaza

Beverly Hills, Calif. 90212

Dear Donald,

Like I always say, I’m here for you, in bad times and desperate times -- like now -- as well as good.

Who knew there would be so few good ones?

I came over to Phoenix on Tuesday to chronicle your team’s courageous fight against the odds down the stretch.

Actually, I was working on a Suns piece on the assumption that they’ll play the Lakers in the first round. Since I was here, I volunteered to file since we thought this might be it for your guys and someone should explain what went wrong, or at least get a line or two out of it.

But no, your guys clawed their way past the Suns. There’s still hope of pulling off a miracle, making your second playoff appearance in a row and starting a new tradition in Clipper Nation!

At this point, all I can say is:

Now they make a stand?

Let’s face it, one way or another, this isn’t going to end well. Your guys are now playing for the honor of getting run over by Dallas in the first round, after which Clipper Nation is going the way of Atlantis.

On the other hand, if your guys are going down, your coach, Mike Dunleavy, just wants to see them go out fighting.

Of course, after they no-showed for Sunday’s game against the Kings, which came at the inconveniently early time of 12:30 p.m., Dunleavy, who said the effort made him “sick,” was hoping for any sign of life at all.

Unfortunately, among the many problems your guys faced this season was the leadership that was lost when Sam Cassell turned into a part-time player.

People talk about Cassell’s “swagger,” but it’s more tangible. Had he started that Kings game, he would have been cursing at his teammates the moment things started to go wrong, even if it had been him playing matador, waving his cape as a King went by.

Shaun Livingston? Promising as he was before he was hurt, he was just a kid in terms of personality, as opposed to the next coming of Magic Johnson.

Jason Hart? He just got here.

“He [Cassell] made comments where if he’s not on the floor, he doesn’t feel comfortable” providing leadership, said Dunleavy before the game.

“Look, if we’re looking for excuses, that’s one of the excuses we can find, but I’m not looking for excuses. I’m looking for guys who want to stand up and be counted.

“If you’re going to lose, there’s a way of losing with dignity where you’re out there playing your rear end off, scratching and clawing, diving on loose balls, biting people, doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

“If my team is like that, I’m proud of them.... If it’s not paying attention and letting somebody cut behind you, being lazy or lackadaisical, you know, that I have problems with.”

In the good news, sort of, the Clippers played harder Tuesday night.

Of course, this is a bizarre part of the season, when you never know who’ll try.

Right now, there’s a lot of maneuvering going on around the Warriors, the No. 8 team, who lead their season series against Dallas, 3-0.

The Mavericks, who’d love to see Golden State move up to No. 7, ahead of the Lakers, decided to help by mailing one in in Oakland on Tuesday, starting Jose Juan Berea, Maurice Ager, Greg Buckner, DeSagana Diop and Devean George, and lost by 29.

Dunleavy, by the way, has been very good about not complaining about his opponents tanking ... the way he did last season in Memphis to get an easier playoff draw.

Meanwhile, the Suns, who like the idea of Dallas playing Golden State, decided to do what they could do to help the Warriors by beating the Clippers.

That was Coach Mike D’Antoni’s game plan, anyway. He may not have convinced some of his players how important it was, such as Amare Stoudemire.

He scored 16 points, shooting five for 12. Shawn Marion scored 10 and shot six for 17.

On one play in the third period, Stoudemire, the feared dunker, got to the basket, reached about a foot above it, then laid the ball gently in.

You know what they say, it’s never over ‘til it’s over ... even if the odds of you guys getting back to the second round are about 100-1.

There’s always a bright side: At least your guys won’t be crushed by the expectations they face next season.

Forever yours,

Mark Heisler

[email protected]