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Los Angeles Clippers
15. Western Conference - Pacific
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Chris Kaman
John W. McDonough/SI
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Record: 28-54 (14th in West)
Points Scored: 94.8 (9th in NBA)
Points Allowed: 99.4 (27th)
Coach: Mike Dunleavy
(second season with the Clippers)
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The only teammates to rank among the top 15 in free throws made last season were Corey Maggette (a league-high 526) and Elton Brand (411, fourth).
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| CHRIS KAMAN |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
FT% |
| C |
178 |
6.1 |
5.6 |
1.0 |
0.89 |
0.28 |
46.0 |
69.7 |
| ELTON BRAND |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
FT% |
| PF |
6 |
20.0 |
10.3 |
3.3 |
2.23 |
0.93 |
49.3 |
77.3 |
| KERRY KITTLES |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| SG |
154 |
13.1 |
4.0 |
2.5 |
1.52 |
45.3 |
35.1 |
78.7 |
| MARKO JARIC |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| PG |
161 |
8.5 |
3.0 |
4.8 |
1.60 |
38.8 |
34.0 |
73.3 |
| COREY MAGGETTE |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| SF |
32 |
20.7 |
5.9 |
3.1 |
0.89 |
44.7 |
32.9 |
84.8 |
| BENCH |
PVR |
2003-04 Stats |
| G |
SHAUN LIVINGSTON (R) |
146 |
18.0 ppg |
6.2 rpg |
5.7 apg |
3.0 spg |
50.9 FG% |
| F |
CHRIS WILCOX |
152 |
8.6 ppg |
4.7 rpg |
0.8 apg |
0.31 bpg |
52.1 FG% |
| G-F |
BOBBY SIMMONS |
248 |
7.8 ppg |
4.7 rpg |
1.7 apg |
0.91 spg |
39.4 FG% |
| C-F |
ZELJKO REBRACA |
254 |
3.8 ppg |
2.4 rpg |
0.46 bpg |
44.2 FG% |
76.7 FT% |
| G |
RICK BRUNSON |
357 |
3.0 ppg |
0.9 rpg |
2.1 apg |
0.63 spg |
38.1 FG% |
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The second-year pivot shows promise -- so he may not be long for L.A.
After years of standing pat, the Clippers finally made a number of savvy deals to turn the franchise around. Just kidding -- these are the Clippers, after all. Hence another edition of their familiar off-season routine: Allow a rising star (Quentin Richardson) to leave, then bring in a less promising, and inevitably temporary, replacement (Kerry Kittles, whose contract expires after this season). The result: same old Clippers, same exciting lottery appearance next June.
But rather than dwell on the team's ineptitude, let's focus instead on Chris Kaman, L.A.'s second-year center out of Central Michigan. Kaman is tall (7 feet), sturdy (265 pounds) and likes to work on cars (and single, ladies). He can run the floor and finish in transition, and he spent the summer improving his 15- to 17-foot jump shot. Coach Mike Dunleavy calls him "fearless" and lauds his ball handling, consistent effort and "high basketball IQ." If Kaman continues to develop, Dunleavy thinks he could be another Brad Miller, only more athletic.
Kaman, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., doesn't have any tattoos, doesn't like rap because the swearing can "pervert your mind" and doesn't have a big ego -- in spite of being recognized, in his estimation, "at least once or twice" last summer. He's even proud of his team. Sort of. "You have to understand, it's not like I've experienced winning in the NBA," he says. "All I know is losing." What about his friends in Michigan? Do they give him grief for being a Clipper? "No," he says. "My boys back home don't play in the NBA, many of them didn't even play Division I, so they're not going to get on me no matter what team I play on."
And there you have it, the best thing about the Clippers: At least they're in the NBA.
-- Chris Ballard
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