Has the almighty dollar ruined the Los Angeles Clippers?  One considered the team of the future, to say the Clippers have been underachieving this season with a 12-21 record is an understatement.

The problem, according to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, is that Elton Brand, Lamar Odom, Andre Miller and center Michael Olowonkandi are all free agents this offseason and all four are chasing maximum contracts.  

With a dismal 1-9 record against Pacfic division teams and a tendancy to squander fourth quarter leads there have been whispers that coach Alvin Gentry is on thin ice and may be replaced by assistant coach Dennis Johnson.

"There's definitely a sense of urgency," said Brand. "We can't keep losing games and falling behind, especially in the competitive West. We've got to turn this thing around, now."

"We've had big leads either going into the fourth quarter or in the fourth quarter and a meltdown has occurred," he said. "We kind of go our own way, instead of listening to our coach."

"It's not going to happen right away, but I'm convinced that we'll get this thing turned around," Gentry said. "No one around here is writing off the season. People forget that Elton and Lamar haven't really been out there for a stretch together. Sure, they played 29 games last season, but Lamar wasn't healthy. Just as soon as we get everyone acclimated with each other, we'll hit a stretch where we'll start winning games."