Mike Dunleavy Questions Clipper Injuries, Blames Agents For Holding Players Out

Clippers coach/general manager Mike Dunleavy hasn't taken losing well this season, turning into a bit of a craggy old man. Last month he accused Dwyane Wade of skirting the rules of basketball constantly, and he seems to be at constant war with Elton Brand's camp over their shocking summertime split.

Now he's up to mischief bred closer to home. In a talk with Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, he blames agents for injured players staying out of the line-up so long.

"When guys get injured, typically you have agents that are going to tell them, 'There's no reason to hurry back. Make sure you're 110% healthy before you come back,' " said Dunleavy, also the team's general manager. "I think that's one of the things you have to try and guard against. We don't ever want anybody coming back that has a chance of injuring themselves."

Baron Davis (bruised tailbone), Zach Randolph (sore left knee), Jason Hart (right elbow tendinitis), Chris Kaman (strained left arch), Mike Taylor (fractured right thumb) and Ricky Davis (sore left knee) all have timetables that may not be met because of the reason Dunleavy outlined.

On the outset, this looks like Dunleavy passing the blame for a bad season. Coaches often blame luck, circumstances and injuries for poor play. That's standard. But whining that players could be on the court helping out but won't because of selfish interests pushed by personal managers with financial security as Priority A? That comes off as, well, whining.

And while we could guess which Clip he speaks of all night, I'll instead note that the one NBA player who has the oddest, most conspicuous long injury this season has been ... Mike Dunleavy Jr.