It’s [Kaman's] improved play that has resulted in his improved numbers and I see no reason that they can’t improve even more. Noah Graham (NBAE/Getty Images) Ralph's Mailbag

Hi Ralph,

Do you think Chris Kaman's improved numbers are due more to the absence of Elton Brand, or just better play? Another way to put it, where do you think his numbers will be when EB returns?

Terry,

It’s his improved play that has resulted in his improved numbers and I see no reason that they can’t improve even more. The prospect of having Kaman and Brand together on the court would give this club unprecedented strength inside. Forget the "numbers," Chris will be even better when Elton returns and Kaman’s improved play will make Brand’s job easier.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Why isn't Patterson playing as many minutes as of late?

Due to the lack of minutes played, was signing Powell a mistake? Is he not showing any improvement or readiness in practice?

Patterson

Jason,

Ruben’s dislocated finger has limited his effectiveness. As his hand gets better, so will his play and his minutes will increase.

Not sure about Powell. He is young and is still an interesting prospect.

- Ralph

I'm getting a little despondent about this losing streak. Can you offer me any hope?

Barry,

Just keep your eye on the big picture. The talent pool remains deep: Brand, Maggette, Livingston, Kaman, Thornton, Cassell, Thomas, Mobley etc. The day will come when all of these guys are healthy. When that happens… watch out!

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

How have European players affected the NBA in recent years? The old rap was that they didn't play defense well, but I think that's changed. How have they changed the culture of the league? Thanks.

Joe,

Pretty deep question for my shallow mind, but I’ll give it a try. The skill sets that the Euros (and Asians) bring to the league helps the overall quality of play in the NBA. It’s been a good balance to the fact that so many of today’s U.S. players in the league came in either right out of high school or after no more than a year of college. The European players are better schooled in the fundamentals. Culturally, they add a nice "flavor" to the league and certainly they give the NBA greater appeal world-wide.

- Ralph

Ralph,

I was wondering what your off-season workout is like. Do you hold up a 2-lb weight to your chin for hours a day in preparation for a season full of holding the microphone while calling Clippers basketball?

Tim,

It Is intense. However, the weights are less than 1-pound. They are normally made of glass and filled with liquid.

- Ralph

Ralph,

When the Clippers acquired Sam Cassell a few years ago for Marco Jaric, they also received a lottery pick from Minnesota that was protected. Can you explain what that means and when do we expect to get the pick? Thanks.

Cassell

Erin,

It means the Clippers don’t get the pick if it’s anywhere from #1 to #10 through the 2011 Draft. As of 2012, it is unprotected and comes to the Clippers no matter where it falls between first and 30th.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

With the restrictions of the salary cap, the best way to build a team to contend for a title is to "get lucky" in the draft. In a way, I like the system because it gives teams an even chance. But sometimes it is frustrating because I think being in Los Angeles we would attract top free agents. Do you favor the current system or do you think it should be changed?

Joe,

Years ago, the league had a "territorial" draft. That’s how Wilt Chamberlain wound up with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959. I’m reminded of that when I watch O.J. Mayo at USC. However, that was with an eight-team league. Now with 30 teams, such a rule would be terribly unfair to the small market teams.

The "cap" also levels the playing field for teams in all the markets. I think it’s working rather well.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I have some advice for the fan who wrote in on November 28th that get too nervous when it comes time to "fasten your seatbelts". Just ask yourself what you'd rather be doing? Would you rather be working? Doing laundry? Dishes? Or watching the game? I find the games an escape from my life (if only for a few hours). Thanks for all you do.

Tina,

I don’t like it when the fans give better answers than I do.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I was thinking the other day about how promising the Clippers players earlier in the decade(s) seemed with Olowokandi, Miles, Richardson, Dooling, Odom, etc. I was somewhat disappointed that these players left. Now it seems like they haven't performed as well for their current teams than they did for us. What do you think?

Robert,

I think you are onto something. Club owner Donald T. Sterling has always said he would pay star money for star players. He put his money where his mouth is in matching the Brand and Maggette offers a few years ago and further in the free agent offers he authorized to the likes of Kobe Bryant and Gilbert Arenas. The Big $$$ extension to Chris Kaman is looking pretty good, too.

In all the years the Clippers have been in Los Angeles, only one player who has left the team has gone on to be an All-Star elsewhere. Guess who? I’ll answer that on television on the Clippers road trip when they play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. (12/16/07 on KTLA, 6:30 pm (PST).

- Ralph

Boykins

Ralph,

I think we can sign Earl Boykins. He is not going to ask for a lot right now. The man is sitting on his couch making no money.

Derick,

The Clippers tried to sign Earl this past summer, but his contract demands were more than any NBA team was willing to pay. Now, salary cap rules would allow the Clips to offer no more than the NBA veteran’s minimum and Boykins has yet to find that attractive. Last I heard, he was considering a more lucrative offer to play in Europe.

- Ralph

The Clippers have been struggling as of late. Do you think they have enough in the tank to play .500 ball until reinforcements are available? If so, is a sixth, seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs reasonably possible in the '07-'08 campaign?

Justin,

So much depends on getting Sam back and keeping him and the others on the roster as healthy as is possible. Time will tell.

- Ralph

Ralph,

When Febuary comes and if the Clippers are not in the playoff race, do you think Elton and Shaun will play this year? Thanks.

Brand

Livingston

Joseph,

Yes I do. Both players are well motivated to return. They have contract issues that would best be served by showing their injuries are behind them.

That said, the first consideration for both is that they really are physically ready. The hope remains that each will be set to go sometime in February regardless of the team’s standing at that time.

- Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I always listen to you and Mike on headphones when I attend a game at STAPLES Center. I've always been curious why you choose to hold a hand microphone instead of wearing a headset like everyone else does.

Blythe,

I’ve been doing it that way for a long time and simply feel I have better control of the mic that way. It is easy to over-modulate during an exciting call if that little head-set microphone is fixed right in front of your mouth.

- Ralph

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