DJ gets the nod

["James A. Hill" <jahill@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Coach Alvin Gentry was fired by the Los Angeles Clippers
during a disappointing third season Monday and replaced by assistant Dennis
Johnson.

The Clippers went into Monday night's game against New Orleans with a 19-39
record, last in the Pacific Division, despite a roster loaded with young
talent.

"These decisions are never easy and this one is especially tough, because
Alvin and I had a very good working relationship," team vice president Elgin
Baylor said.

"But I reached the conclusion Sunday night that the players simply were not
responding and I believe a change is necessary at this time."

Gentry went 89-133 since becoming the Clippers' coach before the 2000-01
season. Before that, he was 73-72 as coach of the Detroit Pistons. He also
coached the Miami Heat, after 10 seasons as an assistant with three NBA
teams.


Johnson is in his fourth season as an assistant with the Clippers. Before
that, he began his head coaching career with the La Crosse (Wis.) Bobcats of
the CBA in 1999-00. Johnson was first hired as an assistant with Boston from
1993-97.

Considered one of the best defensive players in NBA history, he won titles
with Seattle in 1979 and Boston in 1984 and '86 during a 14-year playing
career. Johnson was MVP of the NBA Finals in 1979.