FIX-IT FITCH FIXES CLIPS : LONGTIME LOSERS CHANGE THEIR WAYS, ARE PLAYOFF-BOUND.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

Despite the criticism, knocks on his age and complaints about how he uses players, Bill Fitch is steadfast.

His way is the right way.

And the Clippers, headed for their first postseason series in four seasons and only their third since they left Buffalo in 1978, are proof that Fitch's style works.

His three-year plan is a success, and for the first time since Larry Brown coached the team, the Clippers are respected.

As the team prepares for its postseason series against Utah next week, it knows it has a lot to do. It is eight games under .500 after all.

The question now is whether Fitch will be the man who ultimately finishes the job. His contract expires after next season, and Fitch always has been a coach who specializes in building from the ground up. The 62-year-old, who survived emergency triple-bypass surgery this past summer, is noncommital about his plans.

Fitch, though, deserves credit for delivering on the club's promise to reach the playoffs this year, and he has succeeded despite losing Brian Williams, a key component to his plans and the Clippers' first productive center in several seasons, to contract problems.

Williams wanted more money, he didn't get it and now is playing for Chicago after missing most of the season.

Fitch also booted perpetually fat Stanley Roberts out of camp after two days. Roberts, who at times seems to have limitless potential, has instead disappointed everyone again. The 300-plus pounder played only 18 games.

That left Fitch with no center.

``I felt to be a really solid team, we needed a man in the middle,'' Fitch said. ``If you look at any good NBA team, there's a capable center. We wanted to fill that position.''

So he created one.

The Clippers drafted Lorenzen Wright - after a trade for the rights to Boston rookie Antoine Walker fell through - as a power forward. Fitch worked with Wright and turned the 6-foot-11, 225-pounder into a center.

Fitch has maximized his roster. Very rarely does a team have 12 players who can contribute without a standout. No Clipper averages more than 15 points per game.

Most reserves have complained about playing time, but Fitch has demanded his players produce, regardless of their role. The Clippers are a young team - some players with All-Star potential - and Fitch's produce-or-sit style has not necessarily gone over well. But that's not what Fitch cares about.

``We have had production from all the guys,'' Fitch said. ``Even though some have wanted to play more, many guys have gone in whatever time they've been asked.''

Brent Barry is the prime example. The organization pushes the second-year guard in its promotions and he is still riding the popularity he earned from last year's slam-dunk contest. Nevertheless, he has had to deal with a disappointing season. He missed the first 14 games with a thumb injury and Fitch was not pleased with his offseason progress.

Sports Arena fans have yelled for Barry's entrance and he provides obvious energy. Unlike other NBA coaches, however, Fitch does not condone Barry's flashy style. Fitch is from the old school - rookies and inexperienced players are treated as such.

However in today's NBA, rookies have the ultimate power. The new rookie salary cap means players can become free agents after three years. Barry is in the second year of his contract. Already, many wonder whether Barry will return to the Clippers if Fitch is coach.

The next year is huge for the organization. Five Clippers will become free agents after the '97-98 season.

Fitch has rebuilt four other organizations: expansion Cleveland, a fledging pre-Bird Boston, Houston and New Jersey with Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson. He has not stayed long after the resurrections. The question is whether Fitch's style will endure for much longer.

Players have kept their personal quarrels with Fitch quiet. Many players credit him for rebuilding this franchise.

``What he has done has worked,'' forward Loy Vaught said. ``You have to credit coach Fitch with all the work he puts in. He prepares us and that's been the key to our success this season.''

Vaught, in his seventh season, is one of those free agents. He has played for five different coaches and wants a long-term contract. As the young Clippers evolve into veterans, Fitch's philosophies might not be suitable anymore.

In Chicago, Phil Jackson is regarded as a player's coach, to the point where Michael Jordan doesn't want to play for anyone else. Jackson is effective because the Bulls are a veteran team. The Clippers lack the experience and the talent for such a free reign.

Fitch's approach next year will be interesting. With so many players returning - barring a trade - his yelling style could have a different effect. The Clippers should be a more confident team.

A playoff experience should make the younger players hungrier for success. Taking them to the next level might require more strategic coaching and less hands-on direction.

``Coach Fitch has done a great job with those guys,'' Detroit coach Doug Collins said. ``They're playing more as a team. They play hard at all times and that's what's important.''

The biggest difference from previous years is the Clippers' hard-working method. Rarely has the team given up, despite large deficits. When the starters haven't played up to capabilities, Fitch empties the bench. If the bench produces, it might mean more playing time in the next game.

``I love coaching, but I don't know what will happen after next season,'' Fitch said. ``Right now I'm just trying to finish this season. I don't like to look too far ahead.''

BILL FITCH'S COACHING SUCCESS

Team First season Best season

Cleveland 1970-71 (15-67) 1975-76 (49-33/conference finals)

Boston 1979-80 (61-21)x 1980-81 (62-20/NBA championship)

Houston 1983-84 (29-53) 1985-86 (51-31/NBA Finals)

New Jersey 1989-90 (17-65) 1991-92 (40-42/first round playoffs)

Clippers 1994-95 (17-65) 1996-97 (36-44/playoffs)

x- Note: Celtics had a 29-53 in the season prior to Fitch's arrival.

LAKERS vs. CLIPPERS

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Sports Arena.

TV/Radio: Channel 9; FSW2, KLAC-AM (570), KWKW-AM (1330, Spanish), KGIL-AM (540/1260) XTRA (1150).

Lakers (55-25) update: Locked in a fight with Seattle for the Pacific Division title, the Lakers can ill afford a stumble over the Clippers, although the Lakers haven't gotten the best of the intracity rivalry this season, dropping the past two meetings (the Lakers are 1-2 in the series this year). Important to note, however, center Shaquille missed both of those losses with two different knee injuries. The Lakers need to find a defensive solution for Rodney Rogers. In the two Clippers victories, he scored 24 and 21 points. . . . This is the Lakers' next-to-last game, and one of their objectives is to regain some cohesion among O'Neal and forwards Elden Campbell and Robert Horry on the front line. Those three were on the floor together Thursday night for the first time since mid-February.

?13- Eric Noland

Clippers (36-44) update: The Clippers play the second game of a three-game stretch with the Western Conference teams vying for the No. 2 seed. They finish the season Saturday at Seattle. L.A. split a two-game set in Texas and have already clinched the right to play Utah in the first round of the playoffs. Rodney Rogers is coming off a career-high 34-point game in Houston and is the Clippers' go-to guy in the stretch. Lorenzen Wright will return to the lineup after a game-suspension and will face O'Neal. The Clippers have taken two of three from the Lakers, including a 97-95 win on March 14.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, 2 Boxes

Photo: (Color) no caption (Bill Fitch)

Box: (1) BILL FITCH'S COACHING SUCCESS (See Text)

(2) LAKERS vs. CLIPPERS (See Text)