The Learning Curve

MOSCOW, Russia, Oct. 3, 2006 -- Hard, but not efficient. That´s the way the Clippers have been playing in practice thus far, according to Mike Dunleavy.

The coach is currently putting his squad through two tough training sessions per day, one in the morning and one in the evening.

"I thought we were pretty sloppy today," Dunleavy said after the fourth practice in Moscow. "Some of our guys, mostly a lot of the new guys, were not up to speed on some of the plays. We have to spend a lot of more time and learn to play together."

But it is early still, so there is nothing to worry about?

"The things were are focussing on right now is execution on both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively," he added. "Teaching plays to players, teaching coverage defensively and trying to get them to react with the proper timing."

Not that the morning scrimmage did not feature some decent action which pleased the ten Russian ballboys. Chris Kaman came up with a spectacular block against Quinton Ross, while Yaroslav Korolev sank back-to-back 3-pointers from the right wing.

CAN YOU SAY AIRBALL IN RUSSIAN?

Ewing, the Clippers' airball extraordinaire. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

Daniel Ewing could not resist the temptation.

On his way out of the gym, he tried to put up a quick shot against one of the Russian youngsters.

His pump-fake might have sent his brave opponent somewhere near Siberia. His shot, however, never got close to the rim.

“Airball,” the locals shouted as the embarrassed guard walked off in humiliation.

NICE TO HAVE

Although the new guys were still "missing a lot of plays," Dunleavy was glad to have them on board. He was especially fond of versatile forward Tim Thomas.

"Tim, from an offensive standpoint, can play some power forward, some big three. He can make shots from three-point line. He has got some nice weapons. He can post up smaller guys in the three spot which gives us another advantage.

"Aaron Williams - a very good defender. Plays around the basket well. (Rookie) Paul Davis got a lot to learn but he works hard and is fundamentally sound."

CLIPPERS (NOT) FEELING THE PRESSURE

Admit it. You had to get used to see the Clippers play in May. Now it´s their turn to live up to the high expectations.

“Yes,” Corey Maggette replied when asked whether there was an extra burden of pressure on the Clippers this season.

“We just need to be better than we were last year. Nobody expected us last year to do anything but they expect us to do something this year.”

But just like Sam Cassell, who loves pressure (probably because he can´t be bothered), Maggette is unfazed by the new situation.

“I dont feel any extra pressure,” he added. “We are in a position right now where we can just do what we need to do. There is no pressure. Once we get the chemistry where it needs to be we will be fine.”