No replacements for injured Clippers

[JGlanton]

By DAVID LASSEN
The Press-Enterprise

LOS ANGELES - If you're wondering if the Clippers might be bringing someone in to bolster their injury-depleted lineup, wonder no more.

It's not happening.

Even with Chris Kaman (ankle), Eric Gordon (shoulder), Baron Davis (knee) and Randy Foye (hamstring) sidelined -- and with DeAndre Jordan potentially joining them after hyperextending a knee Wednesday in San Antonio -- Neil Olshey, the team's vice president of basketball operations, said he won't bring in any short-term help.

Signing someone to a 10-day contract wouldn't realistically help Coach Vinny Del Negro, he said.

"There's no way they can catch up enough to get the confidence of the coaching staff to be put in a meaningful game," Olshey said.

"I'd rather empower our guys and give them the minutes. So instead of giving one of our guys 17 minutes and finding 10 for a 10-day guy, I'd rather have the other guy get 27 minutes and get into a rhythm."

The other key to that decision is that only Kaman, who many be out three weeks with his sprain, is definitely out for an extended period, though the news on Davis isn't good either.

Olshey said the Clippers have enough big men to survive without Kaman.

"At this point, you still have four quality bigs," he said, "and you have Ryan Gomes, who can slide over to the four (power forward). You have Farouq (rookie Al-Farouq Aminu) who played the four in college if Vinny goes more mobile."

Knee issue continues

After experiencing more trouble with his left knee following a 10-minute appearance in Tuesday's game at New Orleans, Davis was examined by Dr. Stephen Lombardo Thursday morning. Head trainer Jasen Powell said the exam found swelling that has to be managed before Davis can return to the court.

"It could take days," Powell said. "It could take weeks. Basically, having him rest and see if we can get advantages from that is the biggest thing."

Gordon nearly back

Gordon, who injured his left shoulder in Saturday's double-overtime loss at Utah, is close to returning, but his availability for tonight's home game with Detroit won't be decided until after today's shootaround.

When he does return, he'll likely wear some form of protective padding.

"It's a matter of being able to protect that shoulder," Powell said, "and also restore that strength."

Gordon, who is leading the team with a 21.1 scoring average, initially had a stinger, Powell said.

Del Negro estimated the team's other injured guard, Foye, is probably still a week from returning from his hamstring injury.



http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/cli ... 21d30.html

[thanumba2clippersfan]

All these early injuries are unfortunate. I can only hope that these guys will recover early and come back to us. They all have major roles on this team, we will probably struggle with them out. On the other hand this could help our young players get more minutes and more confidence. I hope we can pull out some wins even with the injuries.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Get Well Clippers

[PG3]

Not signing someone for a 10 day contract means more minutes and oppurtunities for our young rookies. I'll take that.

[mattfish]

We either have the most fragile players in the league or a bad training staff...

[RiversideClips]

Jasen Powell or however he spells his name is the WORST trainer in the NBA.
Every year, the Clips go down early in the season for long spells.

He really is bad

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Jasen Powell or however he spells his name is the WORST trainer in the NBA.
Every year, the Clips go down early in the season for long spells.

He really is bad

I can say that the injuries aren't his fault, but how ever long it takes for the players to recover is what he has some responsibility for. Kaman twisting an ankle or Gordon getting hit in the shoulder is nothing that Powell can control. He can control how fast Baron, Kaman, and Foye heal.

I'm interested to see what happens if we got someone to work along with Powell or just replaced him all together.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Why isn't Foye back yet? Seems like an awfully long time for a strained hamstring