LOSS ILLUSTRATES SHORTCOMINGS OF CLIPPERS : VANCOUVER 108, CLIPPERS 101.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

An array of statistics printed Sunday, which illustrated how much they improved from a year ago, became about as relevant inside the Clippers' locker room as the scattered hockey equipment remaining from the departed Ice Dogs.

Neither items were in high demand at the Sports Arena, after the Clippers reached a new low in their season finale, a rare accomplishment when the opponent is the Vancouver Grizzlies.

But what had been an expected fond send-off for next season by winning 30 games for the first time in three years instead was transformed into an embarrassing 108-101 loss to the lowly Grizzlies before 13,298.

The Grizzlies (15-67) escaped the NBA record book with the victory. A loss would have given Vancouver the worst record for a first-year expansion team.

Three other teams went 15-67 in their inaugural seasons.

``Going out the way we did is not something that is easily forgotten,'' Loy Vaught said. ``Over the summer, it will always come back to this.''

The loss illustrated some of the same problems that have plagued the Clippers all year: Porous defense. Poor foul shooting. Inconsistent offense.

``The season is the last thing on my mind,'' coach Bill Fitch said, reflecting on the unexpected loss.

Fitch mentioned the Clippers' fourth-quarter defense, which held Vancouver scoreless just four times in 24 possessions.

There was also the 19-for-34 output from the foul line (55.9 percent). Bo Outlaw went 4 for 12.

These are correctable problems, however, and it is a safe bet the Clippers (29-53) are already trying to figure out some solutions.

``We've got a lot of young players. We know who can do it and who can't,'' Fitch said. ``The guy that comes out and does it every night is the guy we're interested in. I think we need a go-to guy.

``We've got to develop it from our own ball club. Maybe it will come from any changes we make.''

Those changes could come through the draft, which is considered weak. It's also likely some type of trade will highlight the offseason.

There is a logjam at the guard position, with minutes not always in high supply for the four-man rotation of Brent Barry, Terry Dehere, Pooh Richardson and Malik Sealy.

``To have a few guys play consistently you need a rotation,'' Richardson said. ``I personally felt we could have done better and made the playoffs. When it was time for a playoff race, you've got to have a consistent rotation. Play seven or eight guys.''

None of the Clipper guards had a particularly stellar performance against Vancouver, as they shot a combined 13 for 37 from the field.

But as the season demonstrated, the guards are not the only area of scrutiny.

The small forwards will also be analyzed. Lamond Murray played sparingly most of the second half of the season and Eric Piatkowski played even less than Murray.

Both of their futures are in doubt.

Of course, the No. 1 headache will be trying to re-sign free-agent center Brian Williams.

If Williams returns, and the Clippers make only minor adjustments, they should be considered a playoff contender based on maturity alone.

And there were some accomplishments.

The Clippers won 12 more games than last season, the fourth-best improvement in the NBA. They also improved in nearly every shooting category.

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Photo

Photo: Clippers center Stanley Roberts gets pressure from V ancouver guards Byron Scott and Anthony Avent.

Associated Press