ROGERS COULD JOIN ELITE FORWARDS.Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer Could a Clipper be an All-Star? The odds are long now, but forward Rodney Rogers Rodney Ray Rogers (born June 20, 1971, in Durham, North Carolina) is a retired American basketball player who last played power forward for the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Rogers played college basketball at Wake Forest University from 1990 until 1993. has been impressive in short stints and appears ready to take over the role as primary scorer. He had 15 points in 19 minutes Friday in the final exhibition game against Portland. Rogers finished the exhibition season averaging 10.7 points in just 24 minutes per game. Clippers coach Bill Fitch William Fitch (born May 19 1934 in Davenport, Iowa) is a former NBA coach who has been successful in making teams playoff contenders throughout his coaching career. Before entering the professional ranks he coached college ball at the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State is handing the scoring responsibility to Rogers, especially because Brent Barry Brent Robert Barry (born December 31, 1971 in Hempstead, New York) is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. He is known by his nickname, "Bones", and stands 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m). is a new starter, minimal scoring is expected from center Stojko Vrankovic and Loy Vaught's concern will be rebounding. ``I feel more responsibility,'' said Rogers, who averaged 16.5 points in the final 25 games last year. ``My goals this year is to help the team make the playoffs again and have a better season. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. about All-Star, I just want to do better.'' Rogers has the potential to be a dominating forward. With his new svelte frame, he's able to match up with small forwards favorably. Fitch wants Rogers to take opponents in the post - where his strength will create baskets - and also score with his better-than-average jumper. The first test will be in the season opener Friday when Rogers will play opposite Phoenix's Clifford Robinson Clifford Robinson may refer to:
Brian Wade Grant (born March 5 1972, in Columbus, Ohio) is a retired American basketball player. on Saturday. Another test: Barry also is looking forward to this weekend. Phoenix's Kevin Johnson Kevin Maurice Johnson (born March 4, 1966 in Sacramento, California) is a retired American basketball point guard who played for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns. will be his first battle at shooting guard The Shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard,[1] is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. . Fitch's biggest concern for Barry is his defensive effectiveness against scorers. Johnson is a scorer and ball-handler. ``Brent has to learn how to play defense,'' Fitch said. ``I like some of the things he's doing defensively so far. He's making plays and not just standing there and taking a step aside when someone drives at him.'' Barry gained 15 pounds to provide some type of resistance when strong players such as Portland's Isaiah Rider drive to the hoop. Fitch is also hoping Barry can use his long arms to collect steals. His predecessor, Malik Sealy, led the Clippers with 124 steals last season. Still gone: Rookie center Keith Closs, whose early development could be key to the Clippers' success, is expected to return today from Connecticut. Closs has missed nearly a week and two exhibition games attending the funeral of a relative. That absence will extinguish any chances of being in the starting lineup in the opener. After the first five exhibitions, Closs was pushing Vrankovic. |
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