Clippers not expected to do much without Brand
LOS ANGELES - Mike Dunleavy is an optimist. But then, he has no choice.
This is the task the coach and his Los Angeles Clippers are faced with: somehow, some way, stay alive in the playoff race until their best player, Elton Brand, can return from a ripped Achilles' tendon and come racing in with reinforcements.
We're talking about a team that has to find some way to replace Elton Brand's 20.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.28 blocked shots from a year ago, not to mention the emotional impact of his leadership and work ethic.
And that's after searching for a way to replace another of the franchise's building blocks, young point guard Shaun Livingston, who also will miss much of the season as he recovers from reconstructive knee surgery.
Under these circumstances, winning enough games for a playoff spot -- last season it took 41, but this year it may take more -- seemingly will require a minor miracle. And since those who make preseason predictions put little stock in miracles, hardly anyone this side of clippers.com has picked them to reach the postseason.
"We're always thinking about the playoffs," Dunleavy said. "That's what it's all about, doing whatever it takes to put us in that position."
Yes, but is that realistic under the circumstances?
"I don't try to think in those terms," he said. "I try to think in terms of how we can play well enough to beat a team on a given night. If we put enough of those together, we'll be there."
One adjustment Dunleavy has tinkered with during the exhibition season has been increasing the tempo. The Los Angeles Clippers had averaged 104 points in their first six exhibition games, though the 106 they were giving up had the head coach gritting his teeth. And the 20 turnovers a game they were averaging didn't do much for his peace of mind, either.
More likely, once the season starts Dunleavy will revert to a more familiar pace with the emphasis on defense, as it usually is.
"I believe we have players who can score," General Manager Elgin Baylor said. "We're going to score points. But defense is what's going to keep you in ballgames, because we're not going to shoot the ball well every night."
Realistically, individuals will have to step up and do more until their star returns. Corey Maggette will need to improve on his 16.9 points a game. Chris Kaman will need to average more than last year's 10.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.55 blocks. Cuttino Mobley must improve on his 13.8 points a game, Tim Thomas needs to surpass his 11.0 points, and so on.
"I think we welcome the challenge all the way around," Sam Cassell said. " ... I'm excited, because I know every one of you guys is counting us out with E. B. gone and this and that.
"If our team plays harder than our opponents, we will definitely be in the playoffs. It ain't about X's and O's with us. You may be more talented than us as a team, but you're not gonna outplay us. You're not gonna play harder than us.
"And playing hard isn't diving for a ball when you know you can't get (it). Playing hard is getting loose balls, and making the pass and one of your teammates making a shot, or chasing the ball down and tipping it out of bounds to prevent a team from getting a shot."
The us-against-the-world mind-set tends to be overplayed in sports. Such motivation can be useful, but talent is better.
Yet the Los Angeles Clippers do have a shared mission, and that has fostered some togetherness.
"Unselfishness is probably one of the better things we'll have going for us," guard Brevin Knight said. "That and believing in each other. That can carry you a long way. If everyone believes that the next guy has no problem with you doing what you do, then you tend to play that much better.
"We know this has to be a team effort, and I don't think there's one guy we can put this on to pull us through. I think we understand that. If we all don't come together, then we're not going to be good ... but if we go out and play together, move the ball, take the shots that are your shots, believe in that, I think we'll be better than what people think."
Then again, the expectations are low -- at least until the cavalry arrives.
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