Winning pre-season games is important to NBA coaches but not at the top of the priority list, trailing behind taking look at players that are on the bubble of making the team and giving projected regular-season starters sufficient playing time to get comfortable playing together.

But for teams, like the Clippers, that are trying to boost their confidence and coming off a disappointing season, success in the pre-season is of upmost importance.

It is no accident that the Clippers' best pre-season in team history occurred in 2005, when they won six of their eight games, losing only to Sacramento and Seattle, while beating Phoenix, Dallas (twice), Golden State, Portland and Seattle, in a rematch.

That was the prelude to a season in which the Clippers finished with their best regular-season record ever, at 47-35 and came within a whisker of playing the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.

So, in training camp this fall and during the exhibition season, Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy is discovering what best fits his team that returned only five players that wore a Clippers uniform last year and only three that were healthy enough to finish out the final weeks of the season.

Handing the point guard reins to summer free-agent addition Baron Davis was the first start and although Dunleavy was well aware of Davis' spellbinding court skills, Dunleavy has marveled at Davis' uncanny passing ability during training camp scrimmages.

Second-year forward Al Thornton, who embarrassed a host of NBA assistant coaches last season by being named to the All-Rookie first team, literally is salivating at the scoring opportunities that he will have, just running the floor with Davis at the transition throttle.

How did Thornton embarrass the league's assistant coaches? They inexplicably bypassed him for the Rookie Challenge Game, during All-Star weekend in New Orleans, which did not make sense then and ultimately proved quite foolish at season's end.

Center Chris Kaman should find his load lightened some with the off-season acquisition of former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby, who literally was given away in a financially-driven trade by the Denver Nuggets.

Rookie guard Eric Gordon, whom the Clippers selected seventh overall in the June NBA draft, has as much upside as the aforementioned Thornton. Playing as they do in the rugged Western Conference presents quite a challenge for the Clippers, who are coming off a miserable 23-59 season, during which they suffered one injury after another.

But if the Clippers can play sturdy enough defense, to go along with the offensive firepower that they already have displayed, a seventh or eight playoff seed could be there for the taking.

COACHING STAFF -- Head coach Mike Dunleavy, 6th year (175-235); 15 years overall (573-625). Assistant coaches -- Jim Eyen 6th year; Kim Hughes; 6th year; Rory White 6th year; Neal Meyer 6th year; Fred Vinson 1st year.

LAST SEASON REMEMBERED: 23-59, fifth place Pacific Division.

THIS SEASON PREDICTED: 44-38, third place Pacific Division.

POSSIBLE CHANGES PREDICTED: Look for rookie guard Eric Gordon to possibly move into a starting role, supplanting veteran Cuttino Mobley and making Mobley one of the league's top sixth men. Journeyman post player Brian Skinner likely will supplant Paul Davis in the rotation due to his experience and superior rebounding ability. Dunleavy will be on the lookout throughout the days leading up to the trade deadline to upgrade the depth behind starting point guard Baron Davis.