CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: BAYLOR: NO PLANS TO REPLACE GENTRY CLIPPERS GM HAS FAITH IN HIS COACH, TEAM.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

The Clippers aren't firing Alvin Gentry.

The team doesn't plan on making a trade.

Yet it is obvious the Clippers need some change. Virtually everyone in the organization, from owner Donald T. Sterling to Euro-guard Marko Jaric, is disappointed with the team's 12-22 record.

So Monday, the Clippers had an ``Elgin Baylor intervention.''

The general manager met with his team, telling them that he has confidence in the players and coaching staff to turn the season around. He told them the season can be salvaged but the players must focus on the little things teams must do to win.

``We brought up certain issues, certain things, that we're not doing as a team,'' Baylor said. ``I think they're basic, fundamental things. There is nothing extraordinary that they have to do. They have to defend the pick-and-roll, block out, a lot of basic things.''

Baylor also dispelled rumors that the organization is considering firing Gentry and replacing him with assistant Dennis Johnson.

When asked if he were considering any coaching or personnel changes, Baylor responded, ``At this point and time, no. We expect to get better.''

Baylor also took exception with those who blame the Clippers' problems on poor shooting. He said the poor shooting is the result of bad spacing on offense, taking too many well-guarded shots and not getting easy baskets in transition.

Nor is Baylor willing to accept the Clippers' injury woes this season as reason for their poor record.

``When you look at your rotation of eight and nine guys, and each game you have three or four guys out, of course it makes a difference,'' Baylor said. ``But I just think we have enough depth to be able to cover for the injuries. That's why we have those players here. We're just not playing well. We're not playing good basketball.''

Gentry agreed with Baylor. Gentry is also frustrated, especially after having the team make steady improvement only to regress this season. Last season the Clippers never fell more than four games under .500.

When the Clippers traded Darius Miles for Andre Miller this summer, Baylor said his team should be good enough to make the playoffs and perhaps even win a series. With 48 games left, the Clippers aren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs but will have to go 33-15 the rest of way to finish 45-37 and have a legitimate chance to make the postseason.

``We're disappointed,'' Baylor said. ``We all feel that way. The players feel disappointed. The coaches feel that way. I do. Expectations were very high. But I think it's important to stay positive. The players' spirits went up, and they're optimistic for the rest of the season.''

--Notes: Quentin Richardson had a cast-like boot placed on his sprained left ankle as a precaution and will be out for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. ... Eric Piatkowski practiced briefly, had his lower abdominal strain re-evaluated, and it was determined he will be out for about another week.