CLIPPERS LOOK TO STAND PAT MAIN CONCERN IS TO KEEP EVERYONE IN THE FOLD.Byline: JOE STEVENS Staff Writer Contending for an NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= championship may be just a bit lofty a goal for the Clippers, but general manager Elgin Baylor Elgin Gay Baylor (born September 16, 1934 in Washington, D.C.) is a retired American basketball player who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor was a gifted shooter, a strong rebounder, and an accomplished passer. and coach Mike Dunleavy Mike Dunleavy is the name of two notable persons in basketball, father and son:
* Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . Considering the team's 47-35 regular-season finish and falling one victory shy of the Western Conference finals, the standards for what used to be one of the biggest jokes in sports have been raised considerably. Coming into this season, Dunleavy placed a goal of making the playoffs on his squad, but only if his team stayed healthy. For next season, the Clippers want to improve, and that could mean a better record and more playoff wins. ``I never want to limit us,'' Dunleavy said. ``We've already made the playoffs. The next goal is the championship, as far as I'm concerned, and to be realistic with it.'' Until now, contending for a championship never was a legitimate possibility for the Clippers during their 26-year history in California. But this Clippers squad finished with the second-best record in franchise history and won its first playoff series in 30 years. Dunleavy was far from intimidated by the elite teams in the NBA. ``We played the Suns,'' he said. ``We thought we could beat them. We weren't that far off. The next round, Dallas or San Antonio San Antonio (săn ăntō`nēō, əntōn`), city (1990 pop. 935,933), seat of Bexar co., S central Tex., at the source of the San Antonio River; inc. 1837. , we didn't think they were unstoppable. Quite frankly, the only team that worried us was Miami because of Shaq. I don't think (Chris) Kaman would have gotten calls against Shaq.'' Where the Clippers' players go from here is, hopefully, nowhere, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Baylor and Dunleavy. They have 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. , Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley signed to long-term contracts. The next orders of business concern free agents Sam Cassell and Vladimir Radmanovic, along with Kaman (who can be a restricted free agent after next season) and Dunleavy (whose four-year, $10 million contract expries after next season). For the first time in perhaps their history, the Clippers hardly have a need to fill any holes on their roster. The plan is simply to keep this squad together and have their players improve. ``We don't have to add anything to our team, I don't think, to improve, to give ourselves a chance to move on,'' Dunleavy said. ``Yet having said that, you're always looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. the opportunity to do something better, somehow. It's your responsibility to our organization, to our fans, to always be in that mode.'' joe.stevens@presstelegram.com (562) 499-1286. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, left, and general manager Elgin Baylor talk about the team's future Tuesday in a news conference at Staples Center. Nick Ut/Associated Press |
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