Jan. 25, 2001 -- It's fitting that Los Angeles Clippers guard Quentin Richardson plays his home games in the shadow of Hollywood. Despite playing on the same stage with "A" List performers such as Elton Brand and Lamar Odom, the second-year player has become perhaps the best supporting actor for one of the league's most entertaining shows.

"He worked so hard this summer that we thought he'd come back and play well for us," said Clippers coach Alvin Gentry. "He's gotten much better defensively. He's a guy that we've gone to down the stretch when he's been in the game."

Richardson has grown into one of the league's most valuable sixth men in just his second season Catherine Steenkeste NBAE/Getty Images

Richardson, who turns 22 in April, has come off the bench in all of his team's 38 games this season and has improved his numbers across the board, including averages of 13.1 points and 26.0 minutes after averaging 8.1 points and 17.9 minutes in his rookie season. He has scored at least 20 points 11 times after doing it only twice as a rookie. What's more, Richardson has led or tied for the team lead in scoring eight times.

His play has garnered attention throughout the league, as he is set to do double duty at NBA All-Star 2002 in Philadelphia. Richardson will be one of eight players to compete in the 1 800 CALL ATT Shootout, and one of 10 second-year players selected to play in the "got milk?" Rookie Challenge at NBA All-Star 2002 in Philadelphia.

"I'm definitely happy with the way I'm playing compared to last year," Richardson said. "I've gotten a lot more mature, learned the game a little more. I'm learning every day I play."

Perhaps most surprising -- since Richardson had more of a reputation in the post than on the perimeter when he entered NBA Draft 2000 after his sophomore season at DePaul -- is his .409 shooting percentage from three-point range. (He shot .331 from beyond the arc as a rookie.) Gentry, however, said he had no qualms about the Chicago native's outside touch when the team selected Richardson with the 18th pick of the first round.

"I thought his perimeter play was a little better than most," Gentry said. "In college he was such a tough post-up player that that's were most of his touches came. When we first got him he had the ability to step outside. He's improved that tremendously."

Richardson, childhood friend Darius Miles and Corey Maggette form a triumvirate that gives Gentry one of the most productive second units in the league.

"We understand that it's our job to come in and be sparkplugs, get the team pumped up," Richardson said. "We know that when we come in, we need to pick the pace up."

Playing in the Rookie Challenge -- he was on the Rookie team for last year's contest -- is an honor Richardson views as a stepping stone that will eventually lead to a role in the Sunday affair.

"I get a chance to go back to All-Star Weekend, where it's a great experience," said Richardson. "I'm happy to be a part of that and it's like a step toward making the real All-Star team. Hopefully next season, I'll make the same progression I did this year from last and eventually make the real All-Star Game."

For now, however, Richardson is happy to have a very busy Saturday.

John Gardella is a member of the NBA Editorial Staff.