Quintin Dailey

In an unusual move, General Manager Carl Scheer of the Clippers recently wrote to season ticket-holders, apologizing for the club's poor play and vowing that many changes will take place in the off-season. For emphasis, the word many was underlined. An excerpt from the letter, dated March 12: "There is no denying that we are extremely disappointed in the performance of the team.

Ennis Whatley, who was averaging about 45 minutes a game for Wichita Falls, Tex., when the Clippers plucked him from the Continental Basketball Assn. on a 10-day contract, was not tired. Just surprised. "Very surprised," said Whately, who was brought in to help at the guard position. "Thankful, though."

Forward Tom Chambers of the Seattle SuperSonics broke the Clippers' hearts. Chambers, an ex-Clipper, tipped in a missed shot by teammate Dale Ellis with three seconds left in overtime to lead the SuperSonics to a 114-112 win Saturday night at the Sports Arena. Ellis exploded for 41 points as Seattle won its third straight, and Chambers added 30. The Clippers tied the score at 112-112 with seven seconds remaining in the extra period when guard Larry Drew buried a three-pointer.

With another National Basketball Assn. season just around the bend, we have a few unusual questions to ask. One is this: Is Detroit still the best team in the league? This is not the sort of question one gets to ask every year. Another is this: Are the Lakers going to be any good? This is really not the sort of question one gets to ask every year. We even have this incredible question: Are the Lakers going to win their division this year? Now there's one you haven't heard for a while.

Sitting on the bench of the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan wore the uniform of the injured superstar: Italian designer suit, off-white shirt, silk tie, tinted glasses and, of course, foot cast by plaster of Paris. Jordan also carried a cane and a worried expression. Later, Jordan was asked how he felt? "I'm looking forward," he said. That's optimism, but if Jordan is looking for the Bulls, he's not going to find them in that direction.

The Atlanta Hawks ran away from the Clippers, 90-79, Tuesday night at the Sports Arena. However, the Clippers were able to turn the Hawks' showtime fast break into slow time with a harassing, pressure defense. The Clippers' offense hasn't caught up with the defense yet, which is why they sputtered in the second half, scoring just 37 points. Los Angeles shot 22.2% in the third quarter, hitting only 4 of 18 shots.

The ASAP Treatment Center in Van Nuys is the National Basketball Assn.'s version of the Betty Ford Center, an exclusive "rehab and detox" facility for players who want to kick a habit--and practice their slams at the same time. "We're the only drug-treatment center in the country with NBA-approved breakaway backboards," says Dr. David Lewis, ASAP founder and director.

Quintin Dailey of the Chicago Bulls has requested and been granted a leave of absence for the remainder of the season to seek help for his drug problem.

The Clippers close out a two-game trip tonight against the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers are 2-0 against the Nuggets this season. Los Angeles, which has won two of its last three games, beat the Utah Jazz, 114-113, Saturday night in overtime as Quintin Dailey scored a season-high 28 points. The Clippers are the only team in the National Basketball Assn. which hasn't won two consecutive games this season.