KAMAN IS ON THE REBOUND CHICAGO AT CLIPPERS, LATE.

Byline: Joe Stevens

Staff Writer

The Clippers bestowed a five-year, $52 million contract extension upon Chris Kaman last October, and he went out and had a season in which he admitted he regressed.

This year, though, things have probably never looked brighter for Kaman. Through eight games, Kaman was averaging 18.4 points per game and 14.0 rebounds -- second in the NBA in rebounding to Orlando's Dwight Howard.

The quirky fifth-year center from Central Michigan has looked well worth his big contract.

"At this time, the one guy we can't afford to lose is Kaman," he said. "If something happened to him, we'd have some issues."

With Elton Brand out until at least February because of a torn Achilles tendon, Kaman has filled in admirably, scoring more and grabbing more rebounds, and there may not be one succinct reason why this season has been so much more productive than last.

"It's a lot of things, and a lot of things add up," Kaman said. "It's a combination of Elton being out, and me getting more touches and a lot more minutes. It's my weight, being in better shape, not being hurt."

Kaman started the summer, weighing 276, before trimming down to 255.

In conjunction with his workout program, the 7-footer changed his diet, making a big difference by cutting out carbohydrates at night

He is quick to admit that last year, when he averaged 10.1 points and 7.8 rebounds, was a disappointment.

"I just struggled," he said. "I got hurt a lot. It wasn't the year I was looking for. The productivity wasn't there."

An assumption often has been made that by signing the big contract extension right put extra pressure on him.

Dunleavy subscribes to that theory.

"It's often said that you won't know a big guy in this league until he's been here five years because of the maturity process, the learning process," Dunleavy said. "For the most part, his first couple years were like this. Then, last year, there was a little dip down, and I think personally it was because of all of the attention he got about his contract. I think it put added pressure on him."

Critics throughout the league criticized owner Donald T. Sterling for spending too much on Kaman last season, but now, those critics have been silenced.

"In fact," Dunleavy said, "Now they'll be saying, 'They should pay him more."'

The hits keep coming

The Clippers were without both Corey Maggette (strained right hamstring) and Al Thornton (sprained right ankle). Each is expected to be out for "a couple games at least," according to Dunleavy.

Ruben Patterson started in Maggette's small forward slot. Brevin Knight also started in place of Sam Cassell.

Both Maggette and Thornton were injured Friday at Golden State

"In the third quarter, right before I put Al in, Corey hurt his hamstring," Dunleavy said. "Then Al was in like a minute, and he sprained his ankle."

Happy birthday, Sam

Cassell turns 38 today, and his impending birthday attracted a lot of talk and questions about how he's been able to keep going for 15 seasons in the NBA.

"I'm cool," Cassell said. "You'd know if I was hurting. I wouldn't be out there. But everything is swell. The body is feeling great. I prepared myself over the summertime, so I would feel good."

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The Clippers' Ruben Patterson dunks as Chicago's Andres Nocioni looks on Saturday.

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images