CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: CLIPS GRAPPLE WITH INJURIES.Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer BAKERSFIELD - One new point guard made his Clippers debut, but the other new point guard had to sit out. Andre Miller Andre Lloyd Miller (born March 19, 1976 in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. College career Miller played collegiately at the University of Utah for four years. started for the Clippers in their exhibition Tuesday night against the Lakers at Centennial Garden. But the Clippers' other point guard, Marko Jaric, was forced to miss the game with a strained left groin. Miller made an impact early, scoring 10 points in the first quarter on 4-of-5 shooting. He sat out the entire second quarter, and then the contest resembled more of a summer-league game. Despite Miller's debut, the voluminous injuries remain the story for the Clippers. Eleven of their 19 players were listed with some type of ailment ail·ment n. A physical or mental disorder, especially a mild illness. . Eight players didn't suit up. 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. (right knee surgery), Lamar Odom Lamar Joseph Odom (born November 6 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward (also plays both forward spots and is a "point-forward") for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers. (sore right foot), Quentin Richardson Quentin Richardson (born April 13 1980 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing for the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks. He is a swingman. (sprained right knee), Michael Olowokandi Michael Olowokandi (born April 3 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria), nicknamed The Kandi Man is a Nigerian professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He currently is a free agent. (left knee tendinitis), 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. (sore left ankle), Chris Wilcox (strained right quadriceps) and Bryant Stith (right knee surgery) all joined Jaric on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. . Considering the numerous injuries, Miller's plan for the exhibition season is this: ``Try not to get hurt. I want to try to make it to the first game.'' Jaric didn't completely rule out playing Thursday in Portland, yet he was disappointed he couldn't play Tuesday. ``I'm afraid if I continue to play with it, it could be a chronic problem,'' Jaric said. ``That's what the doctors told me. I've never played one game in the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= , so this was a big game for me. Hopefully, I'll be ready soon.'' --Odom on the road: If there was a surprise to the team's brief trip to Bakersfield, in which they spent about six hours, it might be Odom on the bench. Other key players - Brand, Richardson and Olowokandi - all stayed in Los Angeles, instead of making this trip and continuing on to Portland. Coach Alvin Gentry didn't have a problem with the three staying, and he welcomed Odom's attendance. ``To tell you the truth, I don't worry about who's not here,'' Gentry said. ``I worry about the guys who are here.'' Odom plans to travel with the team until he's ready to play, which likely won't be until two months from today. ``If you miss as many games as I missed last year, you want to be around,'' said Odom, who missed 53 games last season. ``With whatever presence I have, I want to bring it to the team.'' --Ely's painful debut: Rookie Melvin Ely made his debut starting for the Clippers, but that didn't last too long. Ely was forced to leave with 5:41 left in the first quarter as he aggravated the tendinitis in his left foot. Ely was fouled hard, and as soon as he went down, he yelled, ``I heard a pop.'' However, the injury might not be serious. He will be re-evaluated today. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: ANDRE MILLER One of the few Clippers who's not hurt, point guard scores 10 points in first quarter. |
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