The Clippers have an unusually long period of time to get ready for their season opener, which is Wednesday against Portland at Staples Center. To that end, they've had lengthy sessions Thursday and Friday.
Not quite back to the classroom, but you get the general idea. For example, Del Negro worked with Blake Griffin, one on one, on his free-throw shooting after the scrimmaging ended.
And long after the final player departed and the last interview completed, rookie forward Al-Farouq Aminu worked long and hard on his jump shot, cutting a solitary figure in the gym.One of the key components to the Clippers season will be the chemistry up front between center Chris Kaman and the power forward Griffin. Kaman and Marcus Camby, now in Portland, seemed to achieve an almost effortless blend.
(At least when they were both healthy)
"We're working on it," Kaman said. "With him being out the last couple of games with the ankle injury, it's not as easy to build that chemistry.
"But it's part of the deal."
Said Griffin: "It's going really well. I'm not worried about playing with Chris. He's easy to play with for me. I think I've got him figured out for the most part. We're figuring out each other.
"The more we play the better we'll be."
Lisa Dillman, LA Times
Eric Gordon participated in the majority of practice on Friday, while sitting out the last couple of drills. Craig Smith hopes to resume practice on Monday.