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Los Angeles Clippers
Although he would not have wished ill on anyone, especially his best friend on the team, the timing could not be more perfect this coming season for Los Angeles Clippers swingman Corey Maggette.
With the team's most prolific offensive player, Elton Brand, out for most if not the entire season due to a ruptured left Achilles' tendon, Corey Maggette will be looked upon to substantially raise his scoring average. It will be crucial for Corey Maggette to fill at least some of the offensive void of his best friend, Brand.
That means more touches, more shots and more play opportunities called for Corey Maggette than ever before. And with Corey Maggette eligible to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, he would appear to be in a great bargaining position.
It's not as if he is not capable of scoring big. Corey Maggette averaged 20.7 points in 2003-2004 and boosted that production to 22.2 points per game the following season. He is capable of averaging 25 points per game this season.
But not so long ago, it was no secret that Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy wanted to trade Corey Maggette. In fact, it appeared for sure that Corey Maggette was going to Indiana two years ago in a deal that would have sent Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Clippers. But just when the trade seemed secure, the Pacers pulled out, fearing that a back injury that Corey Maggette had at that time was more serious than reported and possibly could have a lingering effect.
But the person whose nickname is "Maximus" returned to help the Los Angeles Clippers reach the Western Conference semifinals, where they lost a tense seven-game series to the Phoenix Suns.
Last season, Corey Maggette averaged 16.9 points in 75 games, only 31 of which he started. That has been a continuing dispute between Corey Maggette and Dunleavy. Corey Maggette always has considered himself a starting player while Dunleavy conversely has believed that Corey Maggette's instant offensive firepower would make him an ideal sixth man of the year candidate.
Nevertheless, the two need each other more than ever this season. Corey Maggette needs to be a focal part of the offense to enhance his off-season value, should the Los Angeles Clippers not sign him to a contract extension. Dunleavy needs Corey Maggette to be at his offensive best and also pay more than casual attention to playing defense in order to have at least a fighting chance at making the playoffs.
One thing for certain: Corey Maggette continues to be the hardest-working player on the team (along with Brand). He has been a daily participant in the team's voluntary off-season workouts this month, in preparation for training camp, and long after all the other players have showered and left the gym, Corey Maggette remains on the court, immersed in doing various drills.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The Los Angeles Clippers hired former NBA player Fred Vinson to be their director of player development. The decision was a sound one because Vinson is a great teacher who possesses an abundance of enthusiasm and outstanding hands-on instruction methods. Vinson formerly played with the Seattle SuperSonics and during his career was an outstanding outside shooter.
—A mildly sprained ankle temporarily has slowed down point guard Guillermo Diaz, but still look for Diaz and this year's second-round pick, Jared Jordan, to wage a competitive battle for the third point guard job in training camp. Jordan led the NCAA in assists the past two years, while playing for Marist, becoming the first player to achieve that feat since current Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson did it for Southern University. That achievement, plus his play at the Loyola University summer league in 1988, earned Johnson a job as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Sonics. Diaz, the Los Angeles Clippers' second-round pick in 2006, primarily was a shooter in college at Miami. However, his point guard skills improved while playing last season in Europe and with the Los Angeles Clippers' summer league team in Las Vegas.
—Construction is continuing on the Los Angeles Clippers' private practice facility in Playa Vista. The steel framing has gone up and other facets are being completed daily. But the building's opening now has been pushed back from February to March.
—Among the Los Angeles Clippers that have been taking part in the informal pickup games at the Spectrum are Corey Maggette, Diaz, Jordan, Yaroslav Korolev, Chris Kaman, Quinton Ross, Paul Davis, newcomer Josh Powell and the team's No. 1 draft pick, Al Thornton. However, veteran guards Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell have been putting in extensive work daily, both rising early in the morning to get their workouts in.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I had a desire to get better." — Los Angeles Clippers No. 1 draft pick Al Thornton on his decision to stay four years at Florida State instead of declaring for early entry into the NBA draft.
ROSTER REPORT
DRAFT PICKS:
First round (14th overall): Al Thornton, 6-8, forward, Florida State: The Los Angeles Clippers relish the idea that they believe the soon-to-be 24-year-old Thornton will be ready to produce this season. After four college seasons, including his senior year when he led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring, Thornton ought to be able to be a solid contributor off the bench at small forward. Thornton has good offensive skills, although he is a below-average ballhandler, but his most notable trait is that he plays exceptionally hard on both ends of the floor.
Second round (45th overall): Jared Jordan, 6-2, guard, Marist: Will compete in training camp, with Will Conroy and Guillermo Diaz, for the team's third point guard job. Jordan led the NCAA in assists as a junior and a senior, becoming the first player to do so in consecutive years since Avery Johnson did it for Southern in 1986-88. Will play on the Los Angeles Clippers' summer league team and will be tested immediately to see if he has the mettle to survive at the next level.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: F Ruben Patterson passed his physical and signed a one-year contract, with a club option for a second year. Patterson averaged a career-high 14.7 points per game last season in 81 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. He also averaged 5.4 rebounds. Touted as a fierce defensive player, Patterson, 32, brings aggressiveness and intensity to the floor. This is his sixth NBA team.
—G Brevin Knight signed a two-year contract last month. Knight will share the point guard position with veteran starter Sam Cassell. Knight, 31, averaged 9.1 points and 6.6 assists last season with the Charlotte Bobcats. He led the NBA in steals as a rookie in 1997-98, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and annually ranks among the league leaders in assists to turnovers ratio.
—F Josh Powell has signed a one-year contract. Powell played in 37 games last season with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors, averaging 3.1 point and 2.4 rebounds. He was traded by the Pacers to the Warriors in the deal that involved Clipper coach Mike Dunleavy's son, Mike Dunleavy Jr. This will be Powell's fourth team since the 2005-2006 season. He began his career in Dallas.
PLAYER NOTES:
—Could this be the year that swingman Quinton Ross finally gets the recognition for his defensive prowess and is named to the NBA's all-defensive team? It would be the perfect time for Ross, who is playing this season on a club option and will be an unrestricted free agent next July, if the Los Angeles Clippers do not sign him to an extension.
—Corey Maggette seems to have taken Al Thornton under his wing already and it is not hard to detect why. The 23-year old Thornton has similar offensive attributes that Corey Maggette has — aggressiveness in driving to the basket, explosiveness in the open court.
—It will be interesting to see how veteran forward-center Aaron Williams responds in training camp. Williams will turn 36 on the day that camp opens Oct. 2 and he will be looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2006-2007 season in which he was limited to 38 games.
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