2004-05 CLIPPERS AT A GLANCE.STARTING FIVE Chris Kaman Christopher Zane Kaman (born April 28 1982, in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Kaman stands seven feet tall (213 cm) and weighs 265 pounds (120 kg). - Center Looking back: Kaman was the only Clipper to play in all 82 games last season, but getting a read on how he would perform each night was anybody's guess. He was inconsistent, but he did show he was durable enough to battle through the lengthy NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= season. Looking ahead: Kaman is one of the Clippers' `X factors.' For the team to show significant improvement, he must get better in pretty much every statistical category and must avoid foul trouble to average more than his 22.5 minutes per game last season. Elton Brand Elton Tyron Brand (born March 11, 1979 in Peekskill, New York) is an American All-Star professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Clippers and the USA National Team. - Forward Looking back: Steady as ever, Brand has averaged 19.4 points and 10.6 rebounds over his five-year NBA career. He can be counted on for similar numbers this season and for being a calming presence in the dressing room. Looking ahead: In Year 2 of his six-year, $82.2 million contract, Brand yearns for the playoffs. Expect him to have a strong season and flirt with being an All-Star, but barring a major surprise, he will miss the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. Corey Maggette Corey Antoine Maggette (born November 12 1979, in Melrose Park, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player, positioned at small forward for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. - Forward Looking back: Maggette showed last season that he can be among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 20.7 points and leading the league in free throws made. He is one of the strongest small forwards in the NBA, but his outside game still is shaky. Looking ahead: Maggette's shot may not be much improved, but he is fantastic at driving to the basket and drawing fouls. Like Brand, he can be counted on to put up strong offensive statistics. Kerry Kittles Kerry Kittles (born June 12 1974 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association in 2004-05. He was raised in New Orleans and attended St. Augustine High School. - Guard Looking back: Kittles has been with the New Jersey Nets since the 1996-97 season, before the Clippers obtained him for a second-round pick during the offseason. The 30-year-old has a steady jump shot and is considered a strong defender. Looking ahead: Kittles has not played in the exhibition season and likely will start the season on the injured list as he goes through knee therapy. He is under contract for one season, and it is difficult to see how - or if - he will adapt to his new team. Marko Jaric - Guard Looking back: Jaric easily beat out Keyon Dooling Keyon Latwae Dooling (born May 8, 1980 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. and Doug Overton Doug Overton (born August 3, 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round (40th overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft. to become the Clippers' starting point Noun 1. starting point - earliest limiting point terminus a quo commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, starting time, beginning, start, kickoff, first - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the guard last season. He also has became an emotional leader of the squad, despite being listed as 6-foot-7 and being more of a combo guard than a true point guard. Looking ahead: With two rookies behind him at the position, Jaric again will be the starter and play significant minutes. He typically does not have strong training camps, but comes on later in the season. KEY RESERVES Chris Wilcox Chris Ray Wilcox (born September 3 1982 in Raleigh, North Carolina) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Seattle SuperSonics of the NBA. - Forward Looking back: Wilcox doubled his offensive output last season in his second NBA year. He has had glimmers of athletic brilliance but has a long way to go to be an elite player in the league. Looking ahead: In order for Wilcox to improve, he must play well with Brand. There will be many times when it would make sense to play Wilcox instead of Kaman, and he must show he is a good complement to the Clippers' leader. Bobby Simmons Bobby Simmons (born June 2 1980 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. College career Simmons played three years of college basketball for DePaul University. - Forward Looking back: After languishing lan·guish intr.v. lan·guished, lan·guish·ing, lan·guish·es 1. To be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor. 2. two seasons with the Washington Wizards, Simmons solidified a spot in the NBA with the Clippers last season. He is a hustle player whose hard-nosed style is loved by coach Mike Dunleavy Mike Dunleavy is the name of two notable persons in basketball, father and son:
Looking ahead: Playing time will not be a question for him as it was at the beginning of last season. He is a role player who might be asked to score more than the 7.8 points he averaged last season. Shaun Livingston Shaun Patrick Livingston (born September 11, 1985, in Peoria, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA. Livingston plays point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. - Guard Looking back: The 19-year-old former prep star from Peoria, Ill., was the Illinois Player of the Year last season. His workouts, maturity and potential were good enough to make him the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA draft The NBA Draft is an annual North American event in which the National Basketball Association's (NBA) thirty teams (29 in the United States and one in Toronto, Canada) can select players who wish to join the league. . Looking ahead: He is not expected to make an immediate impact, but is expected to get playing time. His 6-foot-7 frame will provide constant mismatches at point guard and how he adapts to those will be key to his success. Lionel Chalmers Lionel Chalmers, Jr. (born November 10, 1980 in Albany, New York) is an American basketball player. As of July 2007, he plays for Benetton Treviso in Italy.[1] - Guard Looking back: Chalmers came from Xavier as the Clippers' second-round pick. He spent four years in college and led Xavier in scoring his senior season. Looking ahead: Chalmers is a complement to the team's two 6-foot-7 point guards. In some ways, he is more developed than Livingston because of his college experience. Mikki Moore - Center Looking back: Moore played 32 games last season and split time with New Jersey and Utah. Looking ahead: With three backup centers on the roster, Moore could earn the most minutes because of his defense and outside game. Zeljko Rebraca - Center Looking back: Rebraca was traded from Detroit to Atlanta last season and ended up playing 24 games. Looking ahead: A strained muscle prevented Rebraca from having a full training camp, so how he will fit into the team is difficult to read. Mamadou N'Diaye - Center Looking back: He has been a depth player in the NBA, playing in 58 games with three teams in the past four seasons. Looking ahead: The third of the free-agent center signees, N'Diaye will have to show that his shot blocking and defense warrant him more playing time than Moore and Rebraca. Quinton Ross - Guard Looking back: He was the last player cut in last season's training camp and spent the year playing in Belgium. Looking ahead: Dunleavy liked Ross enough to bring him back, and the coach likely will play him when Kittles is sidelined. CAPTION(S): 13 photos, box Photo: (1) KERRY KITTLES (2) CHRIS KAMAN (3) ELTON BRAND (4) MARKO JARIC (5) Corey Maggette (6) CHRIS WILCOX (7) BOBBY SIMMONS (8) MIKKI MOORE (9) SHAUN LIVINGSTON (10) Lionel Chalmers (11) ZELJKO REBRACA (12) MAMADOU N'DIAYE (13) QUINTON ROSS Box: 2004-05 CLIPPERS SCHEDULE |
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