--G Mike Taylor could play a more prominent role if starting PG Baron Davis misses more than just the one game he was sidelined for because of a bruised tailbone. The rookie backed up veteran Jason Hart in the Clippers' game at Utah but wound up playing 33 minutes off the bench. Taylor's forte is scoring. He had 13 points. His weakness, not surprisingly, is in engineering the half-court offense.

--C Chris Kaman has returned to his enigmatic ways. Kaman had breakout season in 2007-08, and before being wracked with an assortment of injuries, he was a leading candidate for the most improved player award. But so far through three games, Kaman has struggled to sustain any offensive rhythm. He has made 10 of 32 field-goal tries, which is an atrocious percentage for a post player.

--G Eric Gordon might not be ready to be a major contributor after all. When the Clippers selected him with the seventh overall pick in the June draft, it was with the hope that Gordon at the very least would be one of the first subs off the bench. But after having an awful offensive game and struggling defensively on opening night against the Lakers, Gordon has had sparse action since.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F/C Marcus Camby (bruised right heel) will have two strong practices to go off of in anticipation of his season debut Monday in the Clippers' rematch against the Jazz. Camby said he was sorely disappointed at not being able to play against his former team, the Denver Nuggets, but added that he was looking forward to the teams' next meeting. That, however, won't come until March 14, in Denver.

--G Baron Davis (sprained left ring finger and bruised tailbone) has two injuries to contend with now, keeping trainer Jasen Powell and his assistants busy. Davis played in all 82 games last season, but if it was his goal to play in every game this season; that's over now.

--F/C Paul Davis (torn ligament right pinky finger) has an injury that is similar to that of the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, who eschewed having surgery after the Olympics to repair his finger. Davis said he planned to play the entire season with his pinky taped to his ring finger. So far, it has not appeared to have any adverse effect on Davis' jump shot.

--F Tim Thomas (strained left groin) only has a problem now with conditioning. He undergoes extensive stretching exercises before each game with trainer Jasen Powell.