Kaman wants to put his Brand on defense
EL SEGUNDO -- Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman is looking forward to this season, but not because his scoring opportunities figure to increase significantly with the absence of the team's top scorer, Elton Brand.
Chris Kaman is looking forward to assuming Elton Brand's role as the defensive stopper, blocking and altering shots, and otherwise thwarting opposing players driving to the basket in the manner that Elton Brand has done year after year.
So while Elton Brand recovers from the ruptured left Achilles' tendon he suffered two months ago, the 7-foot Chris Kaman will try to maintain the Los Angeles Clippers' standing as one of the NBA's top shot-blocking teams.
"I believe we need Chris' rebounding and defense more than we'll need his points," assistant coach Kim Hughes said. "I think it's imperative that Chris stay out of foul trouble. He can't make silly or useless fouls. We've always been in the top five in blocked shots, and although we can't replace E.B., who was a great contributor to that, Chris will have to dominate the inside for us."
Chris Kaman and the coaching staff believe he is fully capable of being a defensive force inside. Chris Kaman ranked 24th in the league in blocked shots two years ago, averaging 1.38 per game. Even though he fell off last season statistically in scoring and in rebounding, Chris Kaman had a career-high 116 blocked shots, which ranked him 19th in the NBA.
"I'm excited about being the focal point on defense," Chris Kaman said. "To be the last line of defense, where if the guards get beat, I've got to be there. It's my job."
That focus on defense does not mean Chris Kaman has neglected his offensive responsibilities. Day after day, for hours this past summer, Chris Kaman was in the gym working on his low-post moves and honing the perimeter jump shot that he makes with regularity in practice but in the past has rarely attempted in games. Chris Kaman averaged 11.9 points per game in 2005-2006 but fell off to 10.1 last season. His shooting percentage fell from 52.3 percent two years ago to 45.1 percent last season.
"It just wasn't the year I wanted; it wasn't the year I was expecting," Chris Kaman said. "I worked really hard that summer but the same shots I was making two years ago just weren't falling last year. So, hopefully I can change that this season. Maybe the extra touches that I get will help me out."
NOTES
Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said he will take all 18 healthy players on the roster to Denver for Tuesday's opening exhibition game against the Nuggets. Although Dunleavy said not everyone would play, he is not planning to play anyone 30 minutes. The team will work out here today then fly to Denver after practice. …
Guard Cuttino Mobley joined Chris Kaman in stepping up his practice activity. Like Chris Kaman, Mobley participated in every drill, excluding contact activity. …
Starting point guard Sam Cassell sat out his second practice in the past six days because of a sore left knee. But he is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday. …
Forward Ruben Patterson was held out of practice because of a mild left hip pointer suffered in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage in Santa Barbara.
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