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Has any of the Clippers' young nucleus taken to developing a new skill over the summer, and if so, who brought something to training camp that we haven't seen before?

Larry, Rancho Santa Margarita

EP: I asked a few of the players what they worked on over the summer to improve their game:

Craig Smith: "I've been working on my jump shot a lot more. I think it's going to free a lot of things up because guys anticipate me getting to the basket a lot. They play a lot of bigger, stronger guys against me (more length against me) and that gives me opportunities to knock down open shots."

Smith said he worked at the 15-17' range and even on his three-point shot a little bit.

Al Thornton: "I pretty worked on everything but I put an emphasis on defense. I think I've got the tools to be a pretty solid defender. I need to be more aware so I watched a lot of film on defensive techniques - and just made sure I was in better shape."

Which players did Thornton watch on film? Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier and Ron Artest.

Blake Griffin: "I improved my shot. I really spent a lot of time working on my shot - improving rhythm, footwork, everything."

Like Smith, Griffin worked on the 15-17' range to about 20', not quite in three-point territory.

DeAndre Jordan: "I worked on a lot of offensive things to try and develop my game. It's cool to dunk and have little highlights but people are going to start playing it - OK, whatever #9 is just lobs, that's it. So I'm just working on my post moves and obviously my free throws to try and improve that."

Jordan said he's being mentored by Camby who is wealth of knowledge on defensive anticipation.

Eric Gordon: "More of a post up game and just beating my man off the dribble. I was mostly catch-and-shoot last year. I was looking to be more creative this year."

Gordon wants to increase both his rebounding and assist numbers.

Eric Pincus, myClipper NATION

Lawler's Law - Thursday, October 15, 2009 @ 9:17 am
We are at the halfway point of the Clippers eight-game NBA exhibition season.

Let's see what we have learned:

* The record is a solid 3-1. While wins and losses in the preseason carry little true value, the team's attitude, focus and style of play are certainly worth noting.

* Through the summer people kept wondering if coach Mike Dunleavy would really loosen the reigns and let this team run. So far, the answer is a resounding yes. They are averaging almost 104 points a game through their first four and shooting an eye-popping 50.8% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range. And get this, the Clippers are averaging 18 fast-break points a game. (That's Phoenix and Golden State territory).

* You can file 25 personal fouls and 19 turnovers a game and 70% free throw shooting in the "things to work on" category.

* It has not taken long to learn that rookie Blake Griffin is something special. He's even better than advertised and the ads were great.



* Kaman, Camby, Gordon and Jordan all came to camp in great shape and all seem poised for big seasons. Butler and Thornton are waging a spirited and productive battle for time at small forward. Baron Davis has grasped the leadership role with focus, comittment and enthusiasm while Sebastian Telfair looks to be a very able back up to Baron. All the while, Ricky Davis, Craig Smith, Steve Novak, Mardy Collins and Brian Skinner add unprecedented veteran depth and experience.

I felt good about this group coming into camp. I feel even better about them halfway through the preseason. This should be fun.

Ralph Lawler, Clippers.com