"I had a feeling nothing was going to happen," Clippers forward Elton Brand said. "Now that there are no more rumors in the air, we can concentrate on b-ball and start winning some games."

For weeks, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy had said it was unlikely a trade would be made.

"A lot of teams float rumors, as test balloons," Dunleavy said. "But half to three-quarters of the stuff that's put out there, never has a chance to get done."

Although Maggette publicly stated more than a month ago that he wished to be traded, he expressed satisfaction Thursday that he remained with the team that acquired him from the Orlando Magic in 2000.

Maggette's frustrations boiled over Feb. 6, after a road loss to the New York Knicks, when after playing only 17 minutes he lashed out against Dunleavy. But Maggette did not reiterate at that time publicly he wanted to be traded.

"Really, the only time I was really upset was in New York and that was it," Maggette said.

"I've been here eight years, and since the get-go, my goal has been to help this franchise get better. Until I'm no longer a Clipper, each and every day I try to give 100 percent. "

Neither center Chris Kaman (flu), guard Cuttino Mobley (strained groin muscle) or guard Sam Cassell (abdominal strain) practiced Thursday.

Mobley likely will miss his second consecutive game Saturday against Golden State, while Kaman is questionable and Cassell probable.

Read the entire story.

Hey Ralph,

Of all the on-air counterparts you have had, you and Mike seem to have a good chemistry. Bill Walton was Mr. Negative with all the sarcasim he would use. Nevertheless, I enjoy yours and Mike's work. Who has been your favorite?

Efren Ochoa

Efren –

I’ve been very lucky to work with some wonderful and talented people from Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello through Walton and Mikesmith. Few people know that my first partner on our telecasts in San Diego was a fellow named Stu Lantz.

No favorites here … I’ve loved working with each of them.

Hey MVB (MOST VALUABLE BRODCASTER)!

Ralph, do you think Sam Cassell will be a part of the Clippers coaching staff after next season?

Gary

Gary –

I think Sam has the makings of a fine NBA Coach and he’s certainly expressed an interest in being a part of Mike Dunleavy’s staff.

I’d love to see it happen. Thanks for caring.

- Ralph

Ralph,

Realistically, do the Clippers have a shot at getting over their season-long slump? I know you like to be optimistic, but truthfully, can they pull it together? And will Shaun Livingston ever come out? He seems too afraid to shoot the ball.

Daniel

Daniel –

It has all the earmarks of being a bad season, but nobody is throwing in the towel.

Regarding Livingston, I don’t think he’s afraid to shoot the ball. I do think he’s hesitant to be deemed selfish when that is so far from his natural self. He’s been getting better and I think he still has a very bright future.

- Ralph

Ralph,

What is the deal with Corey Magette? He has shown himself to be a good pro player and had such a fine season last year.

You and "Smitty" make a great team. Love to hear you guys announce a game.

John Stanton

John –

No question Corey is a good pro player. Problem is, he and too Many of his teammates are having well less than their best years and that has dramatically limited this team’s success.

Thanks for the kind words. I’ll let Mike know that he FINALLY has a Fan.

- Ralph

"It wasn't a perfect fit," Howard Bragman said in a phone interview. "The reason you have these types of contracts is to see if you like them, they like you and if it all makes sense. It's just not the right situation."

The Clippers now plan on signing former Laker Von Wafer, who is currently 3rd in the NBDL in scoring with an average of 19.6 points/game and was named the NBDL palyer of the month for January.

Sam Cassell - Sam can only play well in spurts at this point. When he is great, he is great. But his consistancy is dropping off. He plays better after a couple of days rest due to injury, only to fade a couple of days later. He is also one season away from retiring. Grade B+. Trade - Yes.

Elton Brand - He is the face of this franchise, a workhorse that can be at the heart of this team for years to come. His production is down a little from last year and probaby needs to take his summers off. Grade A-. Trade - No.

Shaun Livingston - Has all the tools that you would want from a young point guard of the future. His points and shooting percentages are up this year. His 3 point shooting percentage is way up. But his other production numbers are about the same. Shaun needs a coach that will turn him loose. Unfortunately, Dumleavy's offense doesn't turn anybody loose. Benoit, remember he is still only 21 years old, and he would be only a junior in college this year, so he still has an upside to his game. Grade B. Trade - No.

Corey Maggette - If he were playing for any other coach you would probably say "Why would you trade this guy?" Even though he is 6th in minutes played, he is 2nd in scoring, and 3rd in rebounds. And his contract is cap friendly. In the right system, he will probably flourish. He will never flourish with Dumleavy. Grade B+. Trade - Yes.

Q Ross - Should be considered the consumate role player. Used by Dumleavy as a defensive stopper, he has only been a little above average in that role. Meanwhile, his shooting has really stepped up ever since the playoffs last year. He is hitting 48% from the field mostly from the outside, but is always the 5th option so he doesn't get many shots. Grade B-. Trade - Only if he would help make a must deal work.

Cat Mobley - Even though Cat is 2nd in minutes played, he is 4th in scoring. And he is supposed our shooting guard. He would score more but he is inconsistant. He is also 4th in assists, and 6th in rebs. His production based on minutes played is not sufficient. He is also very average handling the ball and on defense. Grade B-. Trade - Yes, definitely.

Tim Thomas - Tim is 7th in minutes played but 5th in scoring in 4th in rebs. His outside shot is going down with more confidence lately and he is playing a decent all around game. His contract is cap friendly. Grade B. Trade - only if he helps a deal go down.

Chris Kaman - the Pillsbury Dough Boy has a soft upper body and has gained a lot of weight around the middle. Compared to last year, he has lost quickness, he is slower at everything, can't bend down to pick a ball off the floor, shooting lousy most of the time, misses 2 footers all the time, plays only average defense, and his vertical leap has dropped, so he gets only the easy rebounds. At age 24, when he should have made a big move up, he made a big move sideways. His production numbers are about the same as last year. His shooting percentage has dropped from 52% last year to 44% this season. Having said that, he is 6th in minutes played, 5th in points scored and 2nd in rebs. Grade B-. Trade - Yes, but only if we get a franchise quality player in return and we have a way to get another center. He is the only center we have.

Our Bench - Our bench warmers do not get enough minutes to even comment on their production. Ewing and Singleton are energy guys who can pick up the pace when on the floor but...........I guess all of these guys could be included in a trade as throw-ins. Dumleay isn't going to use them anyway. The saddest thing would be never to be able to see if Yaroslav will ever turn into a player. What a wasted draft pick. Almost the worst ever. Thanks, Dumleavy.

Coach Bumbling Dumleavy - Has been around now just long enough for us all to know why other teams have not kept him around. He is a good teacher. That is it. He is lousy at everything else. He is a lousy talent evaluator and an even worse game time coach. Remember all of his gafts in the playoffs. He made rookie mistakes. His offense is old school. The NBA has passed him by. Grade D-. Trade - if we only could.

Deal or No Deal - Only Elton Brand should be totally off the table at this point. Livingston, Kaman, and Thomas should only be included in a deal if a franchise player is being acquired. If we are truely building a new core of talent for the future, Cassell, Mobley, and Maggette are expendable at this point and should be considered trade bait. Q, Ewing, Yaroslav and Singleton could be used as throw-ins just to make a deal work. We also have an extra 1st round draft pick to use to make a deal work for a top tier player.

I can imagine that I have rubbed a few of you the wrong way with some of my comments about how these players are really performing for us. We all have our favorite players and see them differently. I have actually put some of my favorite players on the trading block. Is it time to blow this team up? My report say that is probably so. My report says we should trade Maggette, Mobley, Cassell, Rebraca's expiring contract, and a 1st round draft pick for Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Our lineup would be Elton Brand PF, Chris Kaman C, Rashard Lewis SF, Ray Allen SG, and Shaun Livingston PG. Hmmmmmm.........Oh, I just woke up, I guess I was only dreaming.

JamFan

"James Singleton came off that bench and played with reckless abandon," Elton Brand said. "He got tips, got rebounds, hit a jumper and played some good defense."

It felt good to contribute, Singleton said.

"I've been talking to coach [Dunleavy] lately, and the only thing I need is for him to just trust me and believe in me," Singleton said. "Lately, our relationship has been a lot better. He just tells me what he wants me to do, I go out there and do it."

In 30 games, Singleton is averaging 1.8 points and two rebounds. He did not play in the first three games of the trip.

"After being on the bench for so long, when coach calls your number in a pressure situation like that, it shows he hasn't forgotten about me and what I can do," Singleton said. "That can only make you feel good."

Read the entire article.

Maggette sat out Wednesday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers because of what a Clippers official said were flu-like symptoms, and his absence from the lineup and bench a day after criticizing Dunleavy prompted reporters to question whether the Clippers had privately taken disciplinary action against their second-leading scorer.

There was no coverup, team sources said.

Maggette was so ill that he remained at the team hotel for the first half of Wednesday's game. The seven-year veteran wasn't at practice Thursday and might not play tonight. People who saw Maggette on Thursday said he "looked horrible" and laughed about fans' conspiracy theories.

Also there's an interesting Q&A w/ Jason Reid (the reporter who covers the Clippers for the Times) regarding the Maggette-Dunleavy relationship/situation- here are a few excerpts:

If anything, Maggette has been even more motivated to excel in his reserve role and reaffirm his importance to the team. Dunleavy wants to win and has made decisions he believes are best for the Clippers. His job has been made more difficult because, as you noted, Chris Kaman has struggled.

Dunleavy and Maggette are proud and stubborn men. They haven't worked well together, so Maggette might be traded after the season.

Dunleavy says his office door is always open to players. Maggette could meet with Dunleavy to discuss his standing on the team, but it seems Maggette would prefer to limit his contact with Dunleavy.

Dunleavy is frustrated with Maggette because of his performance on defense and decision-making. Maggette believes Dunleavy does not respect his ability. Dunleavy is tired of commenting about the Maggette situation. The whole thing has been a thorn in his side.

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that center Zeljko Rebraca, based on a recommendation by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, has opted to undergo a microscopic surgical procedure (discectomy) on his lower back on Tuesday, January 30th. The procedure, which will be performed by Dr. Watkins, is designed to remove herniated disc fragments that were discovered when Rebraca was re-examined by team physician Dr. Tony Daly on January 17th.

Rebraca has been sidelined with disc-related lower back discomfort since he took his annual pre-training camp physical on September 25th. He is expected to be out the remainder of the season.

The Clippers had just routed the Memphis Grizzlies and Sterling figured the time was right to make his position known on the team's trade discussions involving Maggette. Sterling said he wanted the seven-year veteran to remain with the team, Maggette said he hoped to stay and Baylor and Dunleavy agreed that few players available in trades could help the Clippers more than Maggette, according to Clippers officials familiar with the conversation.

Although the owner left the door ajar to trade the Clippers' leading scorer off the bench, telling Maggette he would permit Baylor and Dunleavy to move him in a deal that might improve the team significantly, Sterling was firm in his message: He wants Maggette to be with the Clippers for a long time.

The Newark Star-Ledger on Thursday reported that the Clippers and Nets talked about possibly trading Maggette and Shaun Livingston for star swingman Vince Carter and rookie guard Marcus Williams.

The Clippers did speak with the Nets about the availability of Carter and star point guard Jason Kidd, and were told the players were not available. The Clippers are no longer pursing any deals involving Carter and Kidd, team sources said.

The Clippers had been in discussions with many teams about potential trades that could help them improve before the Feb. 22 trading deadline. Carter and Kidd were among the players the Clippers identified as potential difference-makers.

The team had shopped Maggette because his agent, Rob Pelinka, was concerned about Maggette's role and requested a trade.

Before Thursday's game, Dunleavy said he did not expect Maggette to be traded.

"In the role he's in, Corey is very valuable to our team," Dunleavy said. "In terms of coming in and giving us scoring, rebounding and energy, Corey has been a big contributor to what we're trying to do."

Read the entire article.

Mobley broke the Nets' hearts after Kidd missed everything on a 3-point shot and New Jersey turned the ball over on a shot-clock violation. The Clippers called a timeout and the ball went to Cassell, who drove halfway down the lane before kicking it out to his backcourt mate for a wide-open 3 as Vince Carter scrambled back in vain to contest the shot.

"Coach called a pick-and-roll and Sam got deep in the lane," Mobley said. "Luckily, Sam saw me. I set my feet and it went in. We read a good play, Sam found me, case closed."

New Jersey inbounded after Mobley's clutch basket, looking for a miracle, but Carter missed tipping in Kidd's high-arching pass toward the hoop.

Elton Brand and reserve forward Corey Maggette each scored 18 points, helping Los Angeles (21-21) climb back to the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 11. Sam Cassell added 15 points and 10 assists.

"Sam's made a great difference," Brand said. "Down the stretch -- or any time in the game -- he's such a threat that teams have to honor him."

Read the entire story.

It is no secret Miami has dangled Posey as trade bait. They tried to entice the Clippers into a Maggette for Posey trade earlier this season, but the Clippers declined.

Philadelphia trading Korver would be a shock. The 76ers signed him to a contract extension last summer.

It is likely, although not entirely certain, that the Clippers will let the Feb.22 trade deadline come and go.

“We threw our line in the water early and did not get any responses, at least none that were of any interest to us,’’ Dunleavy said.

Corey Maggette for sixth man of the year?

The Clippers’ swingman is not campaigning but his play off the bench has made him a viable candidate. Maggette is averaging 15.5 points.

Only Chicago’s Ben Gordon, at 21.3 points per game, has attained similar numbers, while performing primarily for his team’s second unit.

“I said from the beginning that could happen, when you have a guy like Corey coming off the bench, with his explosion and being able to take advantage of favorable matchups every night, that he could be very productive,’’ Dunleavy said.

Maggette has not entirely warmed to this role, which is why, through his agent Rob Pelinka, Maggette lobbied the Clippers to trade him. But although the Clippers contacted a number of teams, at Pelinka’s behest, Dunleavy has been reluctant to do make a trade, cognizant of what Maggette can do on the offensive end.

“He’s a high-energy guy that gives you a big boost,’’ Dunleavy said.

The league’s sixth man of the year award was an incentive that Dunleavy thought would get Maggette to readily accept coming off the bench.

“Any award you get from the NBA is a great accomplishment,’’ Maggette said. “But at the end of each day, I’m just striving to be the best player that I can.’’

Read the entire story.

"It seemed that way, but the bulk of their scoring was still there," Brand said. "They still had three scoring threats on the floor. But with seven (healthy) guys playing for them, we should have held the lead a little better."

Quinton Ross scored 24 points for Los Angeles and Sam Cassell had 23, along with 13 of the Clippers' season-high 37 assists. But Livingston was sidelined for the first time this season because of a sprained right ankle and Thomas missed his second straight game with an infected left ear.

"Two of our guys who would have been best suited to play in this game were Shaun Livingston and Tim Thomas," coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Tim gives us the outside shooting against the zone, and Shaun's ability to play multiple positions is a big help against teams like that. So we were kind of short-handed, based on the way they play."

The Warriors were required by NBA rules to dress eight players to avoid a forfeit. So they activated Foyle from the inactive list despite his sprained right ankle, and signed guard Renaldo Major to a 10-day contract. Major, who played 27 minutes in his NBA debut and scored five points on 2-for-10 shooting, was playing for the Dakota Wizards -- a Development League team of the Sacramento Kings. He spent the previous two seasons in the CBA.

Read the entire story.

After consecutive baskets by Cuttino Mobley to open the fourth quarter gave the Clippers the lead, the Warriors went on the big run to take control of the game.

"It was the hustle opportunities they got," Brand said. "They played hard. They had more energy going after loose balls. ... It seems like every time we take a step forward, we're also taking two steps back."

Read the entire recap.

"We have to take this home and build on it," said coach Mike Dunleavy, whose team concluded a six-game trip and improved to a mere 5-13 on the road.

Elton Brand had 21 points and Sam Cassell added 18 points for the Clippers, who made it to the second round of the playoffs last spring but have been bothered by various injuries this season and have plenty of catching up to do if they want to make it again.

That's why this win felt so good.

"If we can play like this, with this aggressiveness, this passion? See, that's the game," Cassell said. "That's what we've been playing with. That's why we have been successful."

Trenton Hassell hit what could have been the big shot, a 17-foot jumper he swished with 25 seconds remaining that regained the lead for the Wolves at 91-90. But Maggette was the man on this night.

"My job is just to go out there and play my man and score. I wasn't expecting to hit the game-winner, but I was expecting to be productive for this team," he said.

Notes

Jaric sprained his right thumb in the second quarter and did not return to the bench. He missed two games last week with a similar injury. ... Livingston is 6-for-30 from the field in his last three games. ... Eddie Griffin was inactive for the 12th straight game, the longest such stretch of his career. Contributions by Blount and rookie Craig Smith have made Griffin unnecessary. Foye, who shot 1-for-10 and finished with five points, has done the same thing to Troy Hudson, who is healthy but did not play for the 11th time this season. ... Chris Kaman, who had 12 points and six rebounds for Los Angeles, was limping after halftime and didn't play in the last 16 minutes. He sprained his right ankle in the first quarter.

Read the entire story.