Coach Mike Dunleavy maintains that he is holding out until center Chris Kaman is healthy so that he can see how a rotation of Kaman, forward-center Marcus Camby and forward-center Zach Randolph pans out. Although it is inconceivable that Dunleavy would try to play all three at the same time, he believes that he can dole out 30 minutes a night to each individual.
Right now, that plan has a temporary hold because Kaman still has not returned from a foot injury that has kept him out since late November. But Kaman is close to returning, and the experiment soon will commence. "It'll be tough. I've got to see it," Camby said when told of Dunleavy's plan. "There are going to be some nights when one of us has the hot hand. And you've got to go with the one with the hot hand. So, whatever Coach wants to do, I'm buying into it."
Randolph said it will come down to one of the three having to get their minutes off the bench. But Randolph said it could work.
"When Kaman comes back, we'll see," Randolph said.
Amid the disappointing and often lopsided losses the Clippers have suffered, Dunleavy has clung to his optimism for better days ahead. The Clippers long ago forfeited any playoff aspirations for this year. But 2009-10 could signal a marked turnaround.
"If you look at our roster, you wouldn't think our record is what it is," Camby said. "We have a lot of guys capable of getting the job done. We just haven't had all of us out there as a unit. I think these last 20-plus games, we'll be building toward next season."
When asked if the Clippers potentially have a playoff-caliber contending team, Camby said, "I think we are right now. We have a great point guard now, in Baron Davis. Our two-guard is locked in, with Eric Gordon. Al Thornton has been terrific. And with myself, Chris and Zach, I don't see a better trio of bigs in the league. And then coming off the bench, with a shooter like Steve Novak and Ricky Davis, what more do you need?"
Randolph concurred.
"We could be good," he said. "We could shock a lot of people."
CLIPPERS 118, WARRIORS 105: The Clippers got big scoring nights from rookie Eric Gordon, forward Zach Randolph and guard Baron Davis in snapping a three-game losing streak. Davis was one rebound shy of getting his first triple-double as a Clipper.
