CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: CLIPPERS GET CONFIDENCE BOOST.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

Sam Cassell was all smiles as he chatted with numerous reporters. Cuttino Mobley wore a stern look on his face for most of the afternoon.

And the rest of the new Clippers got together for the first time at Staples Center for media day Monday as the team starts training camp today in Santa Barbara. The team's goal is to make the playoffs and how Cassell and Mobley fit in could be the decisive factor in achieving that.

Cassell and Mobley, who can be extremely vocal and cocky, could change the overall attitude of the Clippers as they try to have a winning record for the first time since the 1991-92 season. Elton Brand, who is starting the third year of a six-year, $82.2 million contract, still will be the team's leader, but the dynamic among the squad should change.

``Without a doubt, the swagger level goes up,'' Brand said. ``Sam Cassell has been talking trash as soon as he came here. That's what we need. We need somebody that's confident like that, saying, hey, jump on our bandwagon or get left behind. We haven't had that.''

Cassell's confidence even came out during the feel-good, non-confrontational media day as he dismissed the notion that he could be in a training camp battle with 20-year-old Shaun Livingston for the starting point guard job.

``That's a guy that you guys (reporters) blew up,'' he said. ``When we get on the court, his (butt) is mine. That's the mind-frame that he's got to understand. What you did previously - no one cares about that. You got to be ready, and I'm going to help him be ready.''

--Notes: Corey Maggette was the lone Clipper not to be with the squad. He rushed home to Chicago because of a family emergency. He is expected to join the squad sometime this week in Santa Barbara.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com