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"The No. 1 thing I want to do is get to the free-throw line," Gordon said this week during training camp. "That's the No. 1 thing this year, to be one of the top 10 guys in the league in getting there. That'll help spread out my game. That opens up a lot of things for me, whether it's three-point shots or getting to the basket.

"Last year, I started getting more respect toward the end of the season."

There are lessons from Bryant, and the continual teaching process unfolding at training camp in Playa Vista for Gordon. Friday's session included a turn at point guard, and Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said it was possible Gordon will play some in that position in the preseason, depending on how long Sebastian Telfair (foot) will be out of action.

"It's something that we always are exploring and are trying to get Eric to grow in that direction because he's so good off the dribble, so explosive he gets by people," Dunleavy said.

"But the part of the position that is toughest for people to play is, how do you involve your teammates and make plays for other guys? That's the key component to the decision-making part of being a point guard."

It is, to use a tired phrase, a work in progress for a multi-tasking guard in training.