Kaman looking to improve
LOS ANGELES - Chris Kaman's days of donning a long, scruffy hairdo are gone.
"My mom doesn't like it, and I like my mom," Chris Kaman said on Sunday.
"I won't bring it back. Sorry."
Having a shorter hairdo isn't the only change to Chris Kaman's appearance this season. He's also lost 20 pounds in an effort to find more quickness and better jumping ability. He is hoping a new season combined with the weight loss and a desire to improve will translate into a better season than last year.
"I just want to get better," he said. "My season wasn't what I anticipated last year as far as expectations. It wasn't above the year before, which was what I was looking for. That's how it goes sometimes. That's how life is, and you have to deal with it.
"Everything doesn't work out the way you want it to."
Right before the start of last season, Chris Kaman signed a five-year, $52.5 million contract extension that took effect this season. With the extension done, perhaps expectations with Chris Kaman grew, but he digressed statistically in points and rebounds to 10.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
This season, expectations might be even higher because Elton Brand will be out until at least February with a torn Achilles tendon.
"I want to be solid - rebound, play defense, block shots - like I always try to do," he said. "Obviously, Elton Brand's out, and we want to hold down the fort until he comes back."
So Chris Kaman is trying to do whatever he can to put himself in a position to be solid and improve. That's why the 7-footer lost the weight and now is listed at 256 pounds.
With a regime of diet and exercise directed by Los Angeles Clippers strength and conditioning coach Rich Williams, Chris Kaman shed the pounds and can pinpoint what made the difference.
"I cut out carbs at night," he said. "I like bread, pastas, regular food, you know. And at night, I don't really need those because I work out in the mornings."
Sam Cassell's IMPORTANCE
Part of the Los Angeles Clippers' reason for missing the playoffs in 2006 was they didn't have Sam Cassell for 24 games because of an assortment of injuries. Backup point guard Shaun Livingston also got hurt and the Los Angeles Clippers suffered for most of the season at point guard.
For this season, the Los Angeles Clippers have added veteran point guards Brevin Knight and Dan Dickau in case Sam Cassell, who turns 38 next month, gets injured again.
But how essential will Sam Cassell's health be to the Los Angeles Clippers?
"I don't know," coach Mike Dunleavy said. "It's kind of hard for me to figure it out. Not as essential as it was last year, maybe.
"I think we have two other point guards who are pretty quality guys."
LOOSE BALLS
The Los Angeles Clippers had a full roster, with the exception of Tim Thomas, available for Sunday's game with the Lakers. He is not with the team and has an excused absence because of personal seasons.
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