Around The Rim

WORD IS that the Clippers will hold off until after the lockout ends to announce their coach, thereby banking his salary until then. L.A. has narrowed the field to three: Chris Ford, recently let go by the Bucks; Eddie Jordan, recently let go by the Kings; and Jim Brewer, a Clippers assistant under the fired Bill Fitch....

So who gets walloped in the wallet the worst during this lockout? Our nomination: veteran Raptors forward Charles Oakley, who was set to be rewarded for his blue-collar efforts with a $10 million balloon payment this season. As each game is canceled, more of that payoff dribbles away....

Bucks guard Ray Allen's most frustrating lockout moment was playing in a charity golf tournament with his new coach, George Karl, and not being able to talk to him....

Free agent Rick Fox, who passed up guaranteed millions from the Cavaliers to play for $1 million with the Lakers last season, said he will monitor free-agency rules changes before deciding where to sign. It's clear, however, that his experience in LA was less than ideal. "When I went there, I believed we could win it all," says Fox, "but some group dynamics changed, and egos got involved, and we were dealing with so many young players. When you fall short after making such a big sacrifice, it leaves you feeling empty."