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The Clippers will tip-off their first of five games in the Toshiba Vegas Summer League this Saturday, July 8 when they face vs. the Golden State Warriors (4:00 PM). Clippers.com caught up with guard Shaun Livingston and centers Paul Davis and Chris Kaman after the team's morning workout on Thursday, July 6.
Kaman is in Las Vegas to train with strength and conditioning coach Richard Williams. He will not play in any games.
Clippers Guard Shaun Livingston
(5.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.5 APG in 2005-06)
What aspects of your game are you looking to work on the most during summer league?
"Shooting and being more aggressive are the two main things I’ve been working on since the playoffs ended. I’m only playing in two games but I’m going to be working really hard everyday in practice with the team and after practice with our training staff."
Have you had any down time since the playoffs ended?
"Yeah, I went on vacation to Jamaica for a week, but that’s all I took off. I’ve been working out pretty much every day since then."
Based on last season’s success, how excited are you to get next season started?
"I’m very anxious to get started for next season. Based on what we did in the playoffs this year and how close we came to the Western Conference Finals, I’m really looking forward to seeing how good our team can be."
Any thoughts on having training camp in Moscow?
"It will be a great cultural learning experience, but we’re going to be there to work. We have a lot we need to accomplish and learn when we are over there."
Clippers Center Paul Davis(Drafted 34th overall in the in the 2006 NBA Draft)
Have things calmed down at all for you since draft night?
"Leading up to the draft it was a bunch of different emotions but now that I’m here with the team and getting acclimated I think it’s the best place I could have gone and I think its going to work out well."
I know you’ve only had a couple of summer league practices under your belt, but so far, what are the biggest differences between the NBA and college basketball?
"The game is more controlled and quicker. You have to read situations quicker. The guys in the NBA are longer and there are not as many open shots in the NBA like college."
What are you looking to work on most during summer league?
"I want to come in and do what the coaches need me to do. Rebound and defend and hit the open shot when its there. Those are the three things I’m going to concentrate on the most. I’m just here to do my job, whatever they tell me to do."
What are your individual goals for the upcoming season?
"I’d like to be part of making a run towards a championship. I feel I can come in and give a lot of the bench. Just to learn the game from the veteran guys we have and help us win."
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not playing basketball?
"I like to play golf during the offseason. Go to movies and relax when I can. I’m kind of a laid back guy off the court."
Clippers Center Chris Kaman(11.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.38 BPG in 2005-06)
What are you working on this offseason?
"I’m working on conditioning, strengthening and muscular endurance the most. Also, my shooting and overall game."
Did you take any time off?
"I took five weeks off at the end of the season. I took a family vacation to Alaska and have been hanging out in Michigan. But now I’m back in Vegas with the summer league team working out and will be in LA the rest of the offseason working."
What are your thoughts on next season?
"I’m excited about next season. But we will have some new guys, so it’s going to be a learning process. The system is the same so it will be easy. The regular season is fun but the post season is a whole new thing. Now that we got a taste of it, we can’t wait to get back and do more good things."
