A year ago, the feeling among Clippers fans was that the team finally had compiled a solid roster that could reach the playoffs. On paper, the starters looked competitive with the NBA's better teams, and it was believed the Clippers no longer would be the laughingstock of professional sports.

That optimism lasted about a month into the season, before the team stumbled down an ugly path that led to a 27-55 record.

As a result, the Clippers begin training camp today with a more realistic approach, one that has new coach Mike Dunleavy trying to turn a team that lost Michael Olowokandi, Lamar Odom, Andre Miller and Eric Piatkowski into a winner.

"I look at the way everybody else looks at it, too," Dunleavy said. "I can figure out that we lost 60 percent of our starting lineup and a shooter."

Dunleavy won't sugarcoat his team's problems.

"We have a couple gaping holes, one at the 5 (center) and one at the 3 (small forward)," Dunleavy said. "Those are the holes, and we still have some question marks.

"The biggest question mark I'd say is at the point-guard position, but I'm ready to go to war with the guys that we have, Keyon Dooling and Marko Jaric. Basically, we need to find out what they can do."