Singing Kaman’s Praises

Power forward Elton Brand has been among the NBA’s best post players throughout his career, and Brand said one of his teammates might soon join him in the top tier.

“How many centers in the West are playing better than Chris Kaman?” Brand said. “I don’t see too many other centers in the West playing like he’s playing, getting double-doubles on a winning team and doing everything he’s doing.

“I’m sure he’s going to try to go hunting or something over the All-Star break, but I told him he’s not going to be able to go home. He’s going to get voted in as a Western Conference All-Star reserve.”

The 7-foot, 265-pound Kaman is averaging career highs of 10.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots. The third-year player is shooting 52.9% from the field and 77.2% from the free-throw line, also personal bests.

“He’s been playing great,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “Our whole thing has been to really push him to be aggressive and keep playing the way he can play, but it’s not a surprise to me.

“This is the vision I’ve always had. As long as he continues to give the effort he does, and does the film work study that he does with us all the time, he’s just going to continue to get better.”

Opponents agree.

“Chris Kaman is going to be an All-Star, from what I see,” Denver Nugget Coach George Karl said recently. “He might not be that good now, but every week I see him, he is better, more confident and big. And Mike has really brought him along right.”

Despite his strong performance, Kaman is not expected to be selected as an All-Star reserve. “I hope not,” he said. “I’d really rather go home, take the four days off and be with my family.

“It would feel good to go, but you can use those four days off. It’s a long season.”

*

TODAY

at Toronto, 10 a.m.

Site -- Air Canada Centre.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 27-17, Raptors 17-30.

Record vs. Raptors -- 1-0.

Update -- Toronto, which has won three straight, on Friday traded swingman Jalen Rose to New York for forward Antonio Davis, a first-round pick and cash. The Clippers defeated the Raptors, 103-100, Nov. 23 at Staples Center. Power forward Chris Bosh leads the Raptors with averages of 22.7 points and 9.1 rebounds.