2007 Vegas Summer League Game Schedule:

Friday July 6th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM - San Antonio vs. Philadelphia

3PM - Dallas vs. Seattle*

5 PM - Memphis vs. China*

7 PM - Boston vs. Portland*

Saturday July 7th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – Golden St. vs. New Orleans

3 PM - Detroit vs. Philadelphia

5 PM – San Antonio vs. Cleveland

7 PM - China vs. Sacramento

Sunday July 8th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – Dallas vs. Portland

3 PM – LA Lakers vs. Milwaukee

5 PM - China vs. Cleveland*

7 PM – Denver vs. LA Clippers*

Monday July 9th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – San Antonio vs. Boston*

3 PM - Detroit vs. Memphis*

5 PM - Philadelphia vs. Golden St.*

7 PM - Seattle vs. New York*

Thomas and Mack

5:30 PM - Minnesota vs. New Orleans

7:30 PM - Cleveland vs. Phoenix

Tuesday July 10th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM - Sacramento vs. Washington*

3 PM - Dallas vs. Denver*

5 PM - Philadelphia vs. LA Lakers*

7 PM – New York vs. China*

Thomas and Mack

5:30 PM – San Antonio vs. Golden St.

7:30 PM - Houston vs. LA Clippers

Wednesday July 11th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – San Antonio vs. Minnesota

3 PM - Washington vs. Detroit*

5 PM - Philadelphia vs. Phoenix*

7 PM - Boston vs. China*

Thomas and Mack

5:30 PM - Seattle vs. Milwaukee

7:30 PM – LA Lakers vs. Portland

Thursday July 12th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – Denver vs. Detroit

3 PM - Dallas vs. Houston*

5 PM - Memphis vs. Cleveland*

7 PM – New York vs. Sacramento*

Thomas and Mack

5:30 PM – New Orleans vs. Milwaukee

7:30 PM – LA Clippers vs. Minnesota

Friday July 13th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – New Orleans vs. Phoenix

3 PM - Memphis vs. LA Clippers*

5 PM – Boston vs. Milwaukee*

7 PM – Houston vs. Washington*

Thomas and Mack

5:30 PM - Denver vs. LA Lakers

7:30 PM – Golden State vs. Seattle

Saturday July 14th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – New York v. Boston*

3 PM – Minnesota vs. Memphis*

5 PM – Cleveland vs. Washington*

7 PM – Dallas vs. Golden State*

Thomas and Mack

3:30 PM - Detroit vs. LA Lakers

5:30 PM – Houston vs. Sacramento

7:30 PM – Phoenix vs. Portland

Sunday July 15th

Cox Pavilion

1 PM – Milwaukee vs. Washington

3 PM – New York vs. Denver*

5 PM – New Orleans vs. Phoenix*

7 PM – Seattle vs. Portland*

Thomas and Mack

5:30 PM - Houston vs. New Orleans

7:30 PM - Sacramento vs. LA Clippers

* Denotes game broadcast on NBA TV

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Although Theo Papaloukas turns 30 Tuesday, his representatives have let it be known that "three or four" NBA teams have expressed a strong interest in the CSKA guard. The Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks are said to be on the interested list.

But a feeling prevails on this side of the Atlantic that Papaloukas' agent might be attempting to drive up his value in Europe with such a tactic and that the limited playing time being experienced by a comparable fellow Euro who made the move at a similar age -- Golden State Warriors point Sarunas Jasikevicius -- actually will convince Papaloukas not to head across the Atlantic.

"He is 30 years old and doesn't want to play 82 games a season," says one scout familiar with the situation. "If he wants to play for five or six years more, that means another 480 games in the NBA or 250 games in Europe. And, actually, you are talking about an even bigger discrepancy because of the longer [NBA] games."

Clippers swingman Corey Maggette on Thursday will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to alleviate the intermittent pain he suffered in his right knee during the 2006-07 season. The condition, although bothersome, did not result in any lost playing time for Maggette during the year.

Clippers’ team physician Dr. Tony Daly, assisted by Dr. Steven Shimoyama, will perform the surgery at the Center for Ambulatory Surgical Treatment (C.A.S.T) in Westwood, California.

In 75 games played on the season, Maggette averaged 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

Clipper MVP: Elton Brand
Even though EB didn't have the stats he had last year, he once again was that stable, consistent force on both ends of the floor. You can even argue that his clutch shooting is improved as he has made more big time shots this season that I can remember.

Clipper Sixth Man of the Year: Quinton Ross
Even though Maggette came off of the bench for much of the year, in the end he was pretty much a starter. Q just does his job, plays hard and never seems to disappoint. He consistently hit the J and night after night guarded some of the best players in the league. He also played 81 games this season compared to 67 last year when he was plagued by back problems. He also improved his FG to 46.7% from 42% and improved his FT % slightly also.

Clipper Defensive Player of the Year: (tie) Elton Brand & Quinton Ross
It's hard to say who was better at the defensive end- EB or Q. Brand mans the paint area while Ross locks up the perimeter. They both made huge plays on D throughout the year. Honorable mention has to go to Cuttino Mobley. Cat gets a lot of deflections and does a good job guarding against taller players.

Clipper Most Improved Player of the Year: Corey Maggette
Corey elevated his game in the second half of the season at the prodding of coach Dunleavy. He committed fewer offensive fouls and did a great job penetrating and dishing. As a result he improved his shooting % to 45.4% and raised his assists per game to 2.8. He also managed to stay healthy for the most part, playing in 75 games- the most he's played in a season as a Clipper.

Clipper Best 3 Point Shooter: (tie) Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas
Cat shot 41% while Tim shot 38%. Thomas made 136 while Cat drained 101. They both really turned it on in the last few weeks of the season and contributed mightily to the Clippers' improved play.

Clipper Rookie of the Year: Not Applicable
The only rookies were Paul Davis and Will Conroy, and they didn't play much. Paul did show flashes of good play when he got a chance.

Best Individual Performance: Corey Maggette, Apr. 12 vs. Lakers
Maggette tallied 39 points (career high), 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals and a block in a thrilling come-from-behind victory against the Lakers in a "road" game. Even after taking a flying knee in the groin in the 4th quarter trying to take a charge, Maggette stayed in and helped finish the come back.

General Manager Elgin Baylor, Coach Mike Dunleavy and Hughes are Kaman's biggest supporters in the organization, and Kaman will rebound, Dunleavy said.

"He knows what we think of him and he knows what we expect of him," Dunleavy said. "His biggest problem this season was either concentration or confidence. He got position, got [good] shots and he didn't finish them.

"He finished them a year ago, and he's got to finish 'em, so he's got to have a big work ethic for us this summer. He has to work, big time, this off-season to shore up areas to make sure he has that confidence to go forward."

Decision-making is an area where Kaman must improve, Dunleavy said.

Instead of shooting jumpers in the 15-foot range, Kaman often tried to get closer to the basket, leading to turnovers or squandered opportunities.

"We're not trying to teach him to have skill, he already has it, we're just trying to make him make better decisions," Dunleavy said. "As he becomes a better decision-maker, he'll be the guy who averages a double-double for us. He'll be the guy who we're willing to pay the money we're paying, and he's going to be worth it."

Read the entire story.

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed guard Will Conroy of the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. In a related move, the Clippers waived center Zeljko Rebraca.

Conroy joins the Clippers for the second time this season, as he played two games for Los Angeles this season from Feb. 28 – March 5, 2007. A member of the NBA Development League Second Team, Conroy appeared in 42 games for the Tulsa 66ers, averaging 15.0 points, 10.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

Recognized as a 2007 D-League All-Star, Conroy also signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 30, 2007 and played in three games. Conroy averaged 4.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds in 15.5 minutes in his two games with the Clippers this season.

The 6-2, 195 pound point guard was a standout at the University of Washington, leaving the school as the Huskies all-time leader in assists in a career and a season. Originally a walk-on at Washington, Conroy was the first Husky player to ever top 200 assists in a season. The Seattle native also finished his outstanding four-year college career 21st on the Huskies all-time scoring list and led Washington to its first-ever Pac-10 Tournament Championship as a senior in 2004-05 while earning Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 honors.

Conroy played in the NBA Development League last season as well, earning All-NBA Development League Honorable Mention honors in 2005-06.

Rebraca did not play a game for the Clippers in 2006-07, as he was sidelined the entire season due to disc-related lower back discomfort since a training camp physical discovered the injury on Sept. 25, 2006. Rebraca underwent surgery on his lower back to remove herniated disc fragments on Jan. 30, 2007. A five-year NBA veteran who also played with Detroit and Atlanta, Rebraca leaves the Clippers after two seasons that saw him average 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in a total of 87 appearances. Rebraca signed with Los Angeles as a free agent in 2004.

[exerpt] am Cassell might miss the remainder of the regular season after his back spasms worsened Saturday night in a 99-86 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden.

Cassell, 37, collapsed in the second quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative.

The Clippers planned to schedule an MRI exam today or Monday for Cassell, who probably would be monitored for at least a week before his status is evaluated, team trainer Jasen Powell said.

"I'm going to have to sit down a while and let this heal," Cassell said. "I'm going to need some time, maybe until the playoffs, because I'm hurting right now."

Moving from right to left on defense while guarding Portland's Sergio Rodriguez, Cassell pulled up, grimaced in pain and dropped to the floor with 10 minutes 10 seconds remaining in the second. Play was stopped for several minutes while Powell evaluated Cassell.

Read the entire story.

During the four-game streak, Maggette is averaging 23 points, 5.3 assists and shooting 59% from the field, while the Clippers are averaging more than 105 points — 10 points higher than their season average.

"And it's not just the last four games, we've been playing well for a while now, and Corey has been playing great," Chris Kaman said. "In the last 10 games, Corey is having a way better season than he started off having.

"He has been really smart. He's making smart passes, taking good shots and being patient. It's really paying off for him and us."

Problems at the point-guard position prompted Dunleavy to "tweak things a little bit more" on offense.

Although more ball movement has helped to increase production, players said, the playmaking ability of Maggette has made the biggest difference.

"Everybody knows about how he can get to the free-throw line," Brand said. "But the way he's setting everybody else up … that's one of the main reasons why we're playing well."

Maggette's decision-making was a source of frustration in the past for Dunleavy, but it seems things have changed.

"I've said to him in the past, 'Look, if I put the ball in your hands more, there's a responsibility that comes with that. You have to make plays, extra passes and take really good shots,' " Dunleavy said. "I want the ball there because of his ability to get to the rim, get to the free-throw line and make 17- and 18-foot jump shots.

"I don't want it to be there to force the issue, create charges or take tough shots. That's not what we need from him. I want him to just take what's there, and he has been doing a really good job of that."

It's all about making good decisions, Maggette said.

"I'm being patient and making it work," said Maggette, averaging 16.1 points for the season. "I'm making better decisions and better reads. I'm not only trying to put myself in a better [scoring] position, I'm trying to put the other guys on the team in a better position. That's what it's about now."

Read the entire story.

Hart made the go-ahead basket -- he called it his first game-winning shot since high school -- with 3 seconds left to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 104-103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Hart's shot from the baseline bounced twice on the side of the rim before falling in. Elton Brand's hand went up for a tip-in, but he did not touch the ball.

"He didn't tip it," Hart said. "It was right there. It was clear as day. If he had tipped it, the way they were calling the game, they would have called a no-basket. The high flyers, they know not to tip the ball around because of the chance it is going to be goaltending."

What was Brand's take on the play?

"I don't know. I don't know," Brand said, smiling. "We'll have to look at the videotape. All I know is the ball went in. I didn't touch it."

"It's been a very good trip for us," Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Anything better than 3-3 is a great trip. We have played well on this trip, other then we have had some bad spurts. We need to try and build off this momentum."

After Hart's bucket, Skinner caught an inbounds pass in the lane but dribbled it away.

"It's not the last play that determined the game," Skinner said.

"Did we deserve to win the game for three quarters? Probably not," Krystkowiak said. "Were we in position to pull it off and be on SportsCenter? Yeah."

Read the entire story.

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that guard Shaun Livingston underwent successful reconstructive surgery on his left knee this morning at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Livingston will start an intensive two week rehabilitation program in Birmingham before returning to Los Angeles to continue his rehabilitation.

The procedure took three hours to complete and was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham. Assisting were Dr. Bill Clancy of Aspen, Colorado and Clippers team physician Dr. Tony Daly.

Livingston was injured during the first quarter of the Clippers win over the Charlotte Bobcats on February 26th at STAPLES Center, when he suffered tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral meniscus.

Livingston also suffered a patella dislocation, in addition to a tibia/femoral dislocation. Livingston was transported to Centinela Medical Center in Inglewood immediately following the injury, where he had an MRA (Magnetic Resonance Arteriogram) that showed no arterial bleeding.

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that guard Shaun Livingston will undergo reconstructive surgery on his left knee on Tuesday, March 13th at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. The surgery will be performed by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center located in Birmingham.

Andrews will be assisted by Dr. Bill Clancy of Aspen, Colorado and Clippers team physician Dr. Tony Daly.

During the first quarter of the Clippers win over the Charlotte Bobcats on February 26th at STAPLES Center, Livingston suffered tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral meniscus. Livingston also suffered a patella dislocation, in addition to a tibia/femoral dislocation. Livingston was transported to Centinela Medical Center in Inglewood immediately following the injury, where he had an MRA (Magnetic Resonance Arteriogram) that showed no arterial bleeding.

The reconstructive surgery is designed to repair Livingston’s knee in one procedure. Livingston is expected to remain in Birmingham, prior to returning to Los Angeles to begin a rehabilitation program.

You can send your good word here.

He simply wanted to know his status, to know why he wasn't playing or whether he would have a chance for a better opportunity. So when he received the news Wednesday night that he would be released from the Kings and, if all went as planned, eventually join the Clippers, it was the joyful conclusion to a bad situation.

"It's an opportunity, and you have to take advantage of the opportunity because they don't come around often," Hart said by telephone Thursday night. "I can't wait. I'm very, very excited. It's going to be exciting, a fresh start."

Hart was released Thursday afternoon. He flew with the Kings to Los Angeles, where Sacramento plays the Lakers tonight, only because it coincided with his next destination, as Hart expects to sign Tuesday with the Clippers. He must clear waivers first and would be free to sign Monday.

The need arose Monday, when Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston dislocated his left knee in a gruesome, season-ending injury. Hart's agent, Bill Neff, called the Clippers on Tuesday. Hart was let go on the final day when players must be released to qualify for a playoff roster should their team reach the postseason.

The deal was a buyout, with Hart forfeiting part of his salary to the Kings but expecting to make all of his money back with the Clippers. Although he wouldn't comment on the specific amounts that each team would pay, he said he would finish the season having made the same $1.6 million he was owed.

"One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity," Neff said. "I wish it didn't happen that way. I wish (Livingston) were playing because I hate to see that happen."

But Neff said he hated nothing more than the way he felt Hart was treated with the Kings and, specifically, by coach Eric Musselman. In mid-January, Neff went public with his complaints when he told The Bee of perceived mistreatment.

"The only thing I was disappointed by was the callous disregard that the coach had for Jason, the lack of respect he demonstrated towards Jason," Neff said. "In the end, as always, (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) helped rescue the situation and did the right thing. It's over. We move on. I just wish it didn't go that way."

"I'd like to thank God first, but myself, too, for keeping myself sane," Hart said. "It was hard, but I'm glad it looks like it'll work out."

Read the entire story.

Conroy, a graduate of University of Washington, tallied 15.2 points, 10.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds a game.

Complete NBDL stats: http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/will_conroy/index.html

University of Washington stats: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wash/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/WillConroy.pdf

Under the supervision of team physician Dr. Tony Daly, Clippers guard Shaun Livingston underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exam on Tuesday morning at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center in Inglewood.

The MRI revealed that Livingston suffered tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral meniscus. Livingston also suffered a patella dislocation, in addition to the previously diagnosed tibia/femoral dislocation.

Livingston suffered the injury at the 8:10 mark in the first quarter of the Clippers win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday, Feb. 26 at STAPLES Center.

Livingston was transported to Centinela Medical Center immediately following the injury, where he had an MRA (Magnetic resonance arteriogram) that showed no arterial bleeding.

The prognosis on Livingston's return to basketball activity is eight to twelve months.

Here are some notable quotes from tonight:

"I love that kid," teammate Cuttino Mobley said. "It's a tough thing to happen to him -- not only for the team, but also for our fans. He is really special."

"The second I saw it I knew he was done," said Mobley, who dropped to one knee and prayed while Livingston was wheeled off the court on a stretcher. "When I saw his knee … I was just messed up."

Clippers team physician Steven Shimoyama, describing his initial treatment of guard Shaun Livingston’s knee injury: "I had to put traction on his knee and pull his shin bone forward. Then I simultaneously put pressure on the inner side of his knee to get it back in the correct position. In other words, I needed to pop it into place.’’

"Prognosis is still uncertain because of the uncertainty of the exact extent of his injuries," Shimoyama said.

"It alleviated nearly all of his pain. I'd say he was in terrible pain when (the injury) happened," said Shimoyama, who added that the type of injury that Livingston suffered happens more frequently to football players.

Said Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy: "We're pleased with the win but it came at a big price.

"Obviously, it's a big loss for us. He was playing very well.

"It's tough because it's somebody you're close to and they have such a misfortune happen. It hurts."

"Hopefully, things are better than they look," Sam Cassell said. "It was tough to absorb. I saw it, when he went up for the layup, and when he came down, I saw his knee pop out."

He paused, shook his head and said, "Wow."

Cassell said: "Some guys don't get any breaks in this league. Some guys get all the breaks. You can't question injuries. You waste your time if you sit there and say, `Why did this happen to me?' You waste your time doing that. He's young, and he'll bounce back."

"He was playing well," Elton Brand said. "He just had one of his best games of the season against Golden State, so it was really disappointing. After he got injured, it was on the back of everyone's mind. We wanted to pull it out, even though it was a downer with Shaun going down the way he did."

"He was worried about us winning the game and not about himself," Maggette said. "It just shows the character of the person."