LOS ANGELES -- Questions abound for the Los Angeles Clippers as they begin the 2007-2008 season today with training camp at Santa Barbara City College.
•How are they going to replace star forward Elton Brand, who supplies the team with consistent scoring, rebounding, shot blocking?
•Will oft-injured guard Shaun Livingston be able to resume his career after a catastrophic knee injury that team physician Tony Daly said was the worse he had seen in 30 years of treating athletes?
•What type of play can the Los Angeles Clippers expect from aging veteran point guard Sam Cassell, who broke down last season because of a myriad of injuries?
•How seamlessly will Coach Mike Dunleavy be able to blend in what could be five new players into his system?
"The first thing is to not panic,'' Dunleavy said at Monday's media day. "We've made, what I feel, are some good moves. We've had a little bit of bad luck with some of our injuries, which set us back. But overall, we feel it hasn't changed our momentum or our direction. We've been slowed down a little bit. But other than that, I think we're fine.''
Sam Cassell wore an assortment of hats during his inaugural season with the Los Angeles Clippers two years ago, when his scoring, assist making, inspiration and clutch late-game heroics spearheaded the team to its first playoff berth in nine years and all the way to the conference semifinal round, the deepest the organization had gone.
Monday, the effusive Sam Cassell was the answer man, spreading his optimism in a wide stroke.
"If we come out scrapping, we'll be all right. That's all I ask,'' Sam Cassell said. "We need to come out with a sense of urgency, something that we didn't do last year.''
Nevertheless, Sam Cassell acknowledged that the Los Angeles Clippers took a big hit when Elton Brand suffered a ruptured left Achilles' tendon during a workout in August.
"It's a big loss. A big loss,'' Sam Cassell said. "But that can't be our excuse the whole year. It won't be mine. It might be for someone else but it won't be mine.''
Swingman Corey Maggette's offensive role surely will increase in the absence of Elton Brand. It is a most opportune time for Corey Maggette, too, as he plans to opt out of his contract at the season's conclusion. A banner year could equate into a mega-deal, should he decide to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers or test the free-agent market.
Increased opportunities also will be there for forward Tim Thomas, who could slide into Elton Brand's starting slot, and veteran newcomers Ruben Patterson and Brevin Knight. The latter two figure to bolster the team's defense.
"It's not going to take me or Brevin a long time to click with this team,'' Patterson said. "But it's going to take a total team effort. We have guys who can step up and I know lots of people are counting us out but if we get everyone motivated, that rubs off.''
As for Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston, the Los Angeles Clippers are hopeful that both will return sometime after All-Star break. It would be a bonus if the team was in playoff contention at the time.
NOTES
As expected, the New York Knicks placed point guard Dan Dickau on waivers. He will clear waivers Wednesday afternoon and the Los Angeles Clippers are one of several teams his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Monday he is considering signing with. …
Andy Roeser, the Los Angeles Clippers' longtime executive vice president, was promoted to team president Monday by owner Donald T. Sterling. Roeser will continue his role as the Los Angeles Clippers' alternate governor on the NBA's board of governors. …
The Los Angeles Clippers signed two rookie free-agent forwards, Marcus Douthit, 27, and Kimani Ffriend, 30, to their training camp roster. Both players have professional overseas experience. Yaroslav Korolev, the Los Angeles Clippers' 2006 lottery pick, whose third-year option was declined, was not at media day but is contemplating accepting a training camp invitation.
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