CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: BRAND TO MAKE DEBUT.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

Elton Brand will make his Clippers debut tonight when he plays in Seattle.

That fact could be dramatic, but the only problem is this is an exhibition. Don't expect it to be a grand unveiling. Instead, the Clippers will use tonight's game at 7:30 to look at the development of their bench players, examine their free agents and save the drama for later, such as the Oct. 30 opener at San Antonio.

``Before that San Antonio game, I might have some jitters,'' Brand said. ``But right now, this is preseason. I look at it is a scrimmage or a practice.''

Because Brand is new to the squad, coach Alvin Gentry said the power forward will get more minutes than players from last season. But Brand is not expected to play his normal 39 minutes.

Gentry said he won't go deeper than a 10-man rotation tonight. He's not concerned about established players, such as Lamar Odom, who won't play more than 15 minutes. Gentry is more concerned with seeing how his less-established players react to a game situation and to see whether what he's been harping on - defense and shot selection - is improved.

``What we have to do is give guys a chance to play extended minutes in the exhibition season,'' Gentry said. ``So there are gonna be some nights where guys don't play. So when they do play, they get extended minutes, so they can get a good look out there.''

In particular, Gentry will give point guard Keyon Dooling and shooting guard Quentin Richardson a lot of playing time to see how they've progressed. Other players who had limited roles last season, such as Derek Strong, also will see more time in the exhibitions.

Tonight's game kicks off the Clippers' seven-game exhibition schedule, in which every game is on the road except for their finale against the Suns on Oct. 23. Although they'll be on the road for most of the month, they are able to have another week of training camp in Palm Desert before the opener.

--Free agents must perform: Brand said he's not feeling pressure for tonight's game, but vicariously, he's feeling it for the team's five free agents.

``They're all working so hard and they're all good people,'' Brand said. ``So whoever's going to be cut or released, it's going to be tough. They're all good guys and they're gelling with the team and it seems like they're a part of the team.''

In particular, two free agents to watch are 6-foot-9 forwards Harold Jamison and Obinna Ekezie. It could be necessary for them to perform well in the exhibitions to latch on with the Clippers. But Ekezie, who has had stints with the Wizards and Mavericks, is more confident than his contract status would indicate.

``I never come into a situation looking to make a team,'' Ekezie said. ``I come into a situation looking for minutes. That's my mindset. I'm not focusing on making the team. I don't believe my talent level is at that level right now.''

--Rebounds ...: Two former UCLA players, Earl Watson and JaRon Rush, have free-agent tryout contracts with the Sonics. Watson, however, is expected to miss tonight's game with a sore heel.

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ELTON BRAND

Newest Clipper expected to play tonight in exhibition opener.