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| Tuesday, October 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last year: 9-41, seventh place in Pacific Coach: Chris Ford Arena: Staples Center (20,000) Last NBA title: None Record the last 5 years/NBA rank: 108-270 (27th)
Outlook By Scott Wolf Basketball News For every step forward, the Clippers always seem to find a way to take a step back. Or maybe two steps. They moved into the glitzy Staples Center this season, yet failed to redesign their antiquated uniforms, something the media-savvy Lakers did before also moving to the new arena. It's the same situation on the court. The Clippers have a young, athletic and possibly exciting team, but how interested will anyone be when there's no guarantee it will be together for more than 82 games, and maybe for a lot less? The heart of the franchise, power forward Maurice Taylor, has demanded to be traded and vowed not to re-sign with the team after contract negotiations went miserably in the summer. So while rookie Lamar Odom could be the steal of the draft, he's already getting a firsthand look at the way potential superstars seem to have bitter experiences with the Clippers. Odom himself is a question mark. His unlimited potential is still tinged by the erratic personal behavior he displayed right before the draft, when he tried to return to college despite hiring an agent. If Odom weren't with the Clippers, there would probably be less doubt about whether he can put his problems behind him. That said, the trio of Taylor, Odom and Michael Olowokandi gives the Clippers a seemingly special, if short-lived, starting front line. Point guard Troy Hudson and shooting guard Derek Anderson are the other starters. Second-year coach Chris Ford is encouraged by the prospects of his youthful team, but he believes the club must improve its rebounding to make the playoffs. "That's going to be an ongoing thing," Ford says. "We have to 'gang rebound' -- everyone has to go in there. If Olowokandi is shooting the ball, then (Taylor) should be crashing the boards. If (Taylor) is shooting it, then Michael should be crashing the boards. And our perimeter people should be sneaking in there whenever they can. I don't see enough of that yet."
Point guard The Clippers believe Hudson, a former CBA player, is a hidden gem, but it might be a little too much to ask him to be the starter, especially with Murdock's durability an issue. Murdock missed 35 games last year with a strained groin and a sore left knee, and he sprained an ankle early in Clippers training camp. Charles Jones and NBA journeyman Scott Brooks were vying for the No. 3 point guard position. Ford was leaning toward keeping three point guards, even if it costs the team a reserve forward. "We're going to be deficient in the 'bigs,'" Ford says. "But if we lose a point, we'll be deficient in the points and the bigs, leaving us two spots to fill."
Shooting guard One free agent who was re-signed was Eric Piatkowski, who started last year but is better suited to coming off the bench with his 3-point-shooting skills. This is a position at which the Clippers are not forced to fool themselves into thinking they can compete with most teams.
Small forward Odom has already scored 25 points in an exhibition game, although his shooting has been inconsistent. He is already being touted as the latest franchise player now that Taylor is expected to leave after the season. Second-year player Tyrone Nesby had a stunning rookie year for an undrafted free agent, earning a multimillion-dollar contract from the Clippers. He will play a lot this season, although his minutes could go down as the Clippers do everything possible to get Odom experience.
Power forward Taylor is the Clippers' best offensive player, and he wants to have a monster third year to ensure getting that long-term contract the Clippers have refused to pay him. He insists he won't be affected by the fact he refuses to come back next year. Brian Skinner had a disappointing rookie season, playing in only 15 contests. He looked better in the exhibition season and will also be used as a backup center. Free agent Anthony Avent had a chance to make the team.
Center During the exhibition season, Olowokandi noticed a significant difference. "It feels good to get up the floor and not worry about being injured," he says. Olowokandi's offensive ability remains suspect, but his defense was a big boost for the Clippers. His backup will be the wildly inconsistent Keith Closs, who has vowed to justify the $7.2 million contract he signed two years ago.
Coaching The question is whether he'll really be able to lift the Clippers out of mediocrity and escape his image as a retread. It's probably out of his hands since the Clippers have already done everything possible to rob him of his most dependable player by alienating Taylor during contract talks. Next year at this time, he'll probably be worrying about replacing Olowokandi, who will be a free agent after the 2000-01 season. At least Ford seems more popular with the players than predecessor Bill Fitch. Material from Basketball News.Visit their web site at http://www.basketballnews.com |