Kaman was as quick as I’ve ever seen him when camp opened in Santa Barbara. Noah Graham (NBAE/Getty Images) Ralph's Mailbag

Ralph,

I love the moves made in the off season but the key to this team is Chris Kaman. I think he is ready for a big season. I can see a 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game season. Am I the only one who thinks we will be better than last year? I expect to make the playoffs. What do you think?

Michael,

I agree that Kaman is one of the keys to a successful season. He came into camp 10-15 pounds lighter than last year. He was as quick as I’ve ever seen him when camp opened in Santa Barbara.

However, he tweaked his back in the first hour and hasn’t done much since. The coach hopes he’ll be ready to go Sunday against Golden State.

- Ralph

It was very nice meeting you in Las Vegas! Will Elton Brand be at every game? I would like to see him being a vocal leader on the bench.

Brand

Derrick,

I’m sure he’ll be around a lot. He was there all throughout training camp in Santa Barbara. However, his first priority right now is his recovery from that Achilles tendon surgery. It requires a lot of his time and attention.

- Ralph

Will the Clippers start the season with three point guards on the roster - Cassell, Knight & Dickau? Do you think any of the three can play the "2"? Are we deep enough at the shooting guard position?

Kent,

Three point guards is a necessity for this team. One of the luxuries that coach Mike Dunleavy has is the versatility of his players. Many can play multiple positions. Though only Cat Mobley and Q. Ross may be listed as shooting guards on the depth chart, both Maggette and Cassell can and will log minutes there.

- Ralph

Ralph,

I'm wondering if the diminished expectations for this season would wind up helping the team. Last year, everyone picked us as a top team in the west. Obviously, it was a disappointment. This year, everyone is picking us to finish in the basement. Do you think this will reduce the pressure on the team, so they might come in under the radar and surprise some people?

Robert,

Well, I hope so and I really do think this will be a better team than what many people expect. It is always nice to exceed expectations and I believe this club has the potential to do that. They’ll need to keep the current active roster healthy. If they remain healthy, they can be pretty good.

- Ralph

Davis

Who on the Clippers roster would you say is going to surprise a lot of people this season with their improved play?

I'm thrilled to have read that the team wants to step up and try to fill the voids of EB & Shaun and keep the ship afloat. How is the team adapting to the smaller/up-tempo offense?

Jason,

I believe Paul Davis is a much improved and more confident player. He’s earning time by his outstanding play so far this month.

No question the guys have banded together in an effort to fill the Brand/Livingston void. It is no easy task. They seem to like the up-tempo offense. The concern is defense and rebounding.

- Ralph

Diaz

Hello there Ralph. My question is about Guillermo Diaz. Are there any plans for him on the team and how is he doing in camp?

Daniel,

He sure opened the exhibition season with a bang. Guillermo scored 16 points in 18 minutes during the preseason opener at Denver. The problem is finding a spot on the roster. The signing of Dan Dickau diminished his chances of finding a spot on the 15-man squad.

- Ralph

Hey Ralph!

How come the Clippers are not showing any of their exibition games on local TV while the Lakers are showing theirs? THAT'S NOT FAIR!

Joseph,

You should be asking our TV partners at FSN Prime Ticket and KTLA that question. We’d love to have them all on television. However, during the regular season, 75 of the 82 games will be on local TV. Another will be on TNT. The other six games may be available via NBA League Pass.

All in all, it’s probably our most comprehensive television schedule ever. And of course, the full schedule is on radio on 710 ESPN.

- Ralph

Ralph,

Big fan and constantly wish you got more of the national recognition you deserve.

My question is on the radio side. Why is it every year the Clippers take forever to lock down a radio outlet? There still has been no official announcement that the Clips will be back on 710 either on this site or 710's. What's the deal?

Gregory,

Don’t know how official you can get. Tuesday’s exhibition opener was on 710 ESPN. In as much as we were there last year, I don’t think anyone felt it necessary to make an announcement that the games would be on there again this season. Just as there was no such announcement at Prime Ticket or KTLA that the Clipper TV games were continuing there.

- Ralph

With E.B out for a while what will the starting lineup likely look like, at the start of the season?

Simukai,

Good question. My guess would be: Maggette and Thomas at Forwards, Kaman at Center, Mobley and Cassell at guard. That said, coach Dunleavy will likely shuffle the deck a bit depending on the opponent. Really,this exhibition season will tell a lot about who starts and who fits in the rotation. It should be very interesting.

- Ralph

Ralph,

Thanks for all your good work and infectious optimism. My question concerns the draft pick from Greece selected several years ago - I know he's playing in Europe but when should we expect him, if ever, to play for the Clips and what kind of player does the team expect him to be?

Mike,

His name is Sofoklis Schortsanitis. His contract in Greece is up at the end of this season. That presents a window of opportunity for the player and the Clippers. He’s only 22 and showed his potential in the World Games against Team USA. His problem has been weight and conditioning. He’s often swelled to well over 300 pounds and at 6-8 to 6-9, that just won’t get it done in the NBA. Rest assured that his progress is being closely monitored.

- Ralph

Maggette

I know the Clippers made a extension offer to Maggette which he turned down in hopes of a longer deal. Why haven't the Clippers extended Brand's contract?

Frank,

My guess would be that it’s a matter of the size of Elton’s contract. Few teams would be in a position to make him a reasonable offer if he were to opt out next summer. It is an issue that will be addressed when he returns from his injury, I’m sure.

Maggette, on the other hand, has a contract one-half the size of EB’s.

As a result, he is more likely to attract competitive offers. It is all about the business side of basketball. The reality is that the Clippers are within 2-million dollars of the dreaded Luxury Tax. No one wants to go there unless they have a move that virtually guarantees a trip to the NBA finals. This is a time during which the team must be very careful that it spends its $$$ wisely.

- Ralph

I was disappointed to see Jared Jordan traded away. If his passing ability is as good as I've heard (and I've read somewhere that he patterns his game after Nash) then we missed out on an opportunity to give players like Maggette and Thornton someone that can make amazing passes (until Livingston comes back, that is). Why didn't they at least take a look at him during training camp?

Dickau

Allan,

Jared did make amazing passes. The problem was that he didn’t make even ordinary shots. He needs time to work on his ability to shoot the basketball and with two aging and recently injury prone veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, it seemed prudent to acquire another vet who knew his way around the league.

Dickau fit the bill perfectly and he is s fine shot maker as well as a play-maker. Oh, and they did get a good look at Jordan during summer league and in almost daily workouts in L.A.

- Ralph

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