Veterans high on tandem

Point guard Sam Cassell and power forward Elton Brand say it’s obvious.

The improvement in point guard Shaun Livingston and swingman Quinton Ross has been evident since the first day of training camp in Russia, Cassell and Brand said, and they could become the Clippers’ starting backcourt this season.

“Shaun came back a whole lot better and so did Q Ross, you can see it in those guys,” Cassell said. “They’re in better shape and ready to play. They’re bringing that real positive energy every day.

“Mike Dunleavy decides who starts on this team, he’s the coach, but those guys are good enough to start. No doubt about it.”

Livingston and Ross are among the reasons the Clippers “have a chance to be a really good team, maybe even better than last year, because those guys are prepared and hungry,” Brand said. “It just helps the whole team when guys come back focused and ready to step up.”

Livingston and Ross worked out hard this summer with assistant coaches Kim Hughes, Rory White and Neal Meyer.

The 6-foot-7 Livingston added about 10 pounds of muscle and improved his perimeter shooting, the Clippers said. Dunleavy said Livingston’s role would increase this season, and things seemed different Wednesday night in a 97-89 exhibition victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center.

With the outcome still undecided late in the fourth quarter, Livingston was the primary ballhandler while sharing the backcourt with Cassell, who made clutch shots at the other guard spot.

In almost 36 minutes, Livingston had 15 points, a game-high 10 assists, four steals and only one turnover. He also scored when Dunleavy ran plays for him down the stretch.

Cassell, sidelined the previous five exhibition games because of a strained left calf, scored 15 points in almost 23 minutes.

Ross’ performance on offense has been better in the exhibition season after his summer sessions with coaches, the Clippers said, but defense has remained his top priority.

The 6-6 Ross is the team’s top perimeter defender, though Livingston is closing the gap, coaches said.

Because of their growth on offense and the Clippers’ emphasis on defense, Livingston and Ross could be key in Dunleavy’s late-game plans.

“Q has been much better offensively,” Dunleavy said. “He’s not doing anything more than I thought he could do, but he’s just being more aggressive and more confident in what he’s doing.

“Shaun spent a lot of time this summer working on his shot. He’s shooting the ball better, he’s playing much more confidently, and he’s being more aggressive, which is what we want.”

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As expected, the Clippers released forwards Lamond Murray, Jawad Williams, Ryan Humphrey and guard Dawan Robinson, who did not have guaranteed contracts.

There are 14 players on the roster the team submitted to the league Thursday.

jason.reid@latimes.com