Cautious Clippers : For Now, Ewing Won’t See Much of Benjamin

Only three thin envelopes separated the Clippers from obtaining the rights to Patrick Ewing in last May’s National Basketball Assn. draft lottery, a fact that obviously disappointed club officials at the time.

But the Clippers (4-0), who play the New York Knicks and Ewing tonight at the Sports Arena, try not to think about what might have been anymore. Still, a gleam comes into Coach Don Chaney’s eyes when reminded how close the Clippers came to getting Ewing.

“I thought a lot about it before the lottery and especially during the thing,” Chaney said. “But once everything had been decided, you put it out of your mind.”

What has been heavy on Chaney’s mind ever since the Clippers earned the third draft position is the development of rookie center Benoit Benjamin, the Clippers’ 7-foot consolation prize.

While Ewing is averaging 21.6 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks (0-3), and second overall pick Wayman Tisdale is playing a solid 30 minutes a game for the Indiana Pacers (1-2), Benjamin is becoming accustomed to sitting on the bench for the surprisingly undefeated Clippers.

Benjamin, who won’t be 21 until Nov. 22, has played only 14 minutes a game, averaging 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. His best game so far was a 9-point, 7-rebound performance in 19 minutes against Portland Tuesday. Mostly, though, he has been watching James Donaldson play.

Just as Chaney expected.

“It takes time,” Chaney said. “We felt he would contribute gradually, and that’s what he’s doing. We hope this year he’ll help us defensively and in rebounding. That’s it. Offensively, it’ll take a while.”

Being brought along slowly is a luxury Ewing doesn’t have. Benjamin, however, is torn between wanting to play and the realization that he still has a lot to learn.

“You do learn by experience, but Don knows what’s best for the team,” said Benjamin, who is living with relatives in Los Angeles until he can find a house. “I’m happy, in a certain way. I feel I can be a better player.

“I’ll just have to get out there and do it whenever I can. I’m not really looking at Ewing and Tisdale. I know my time will come.”

When it does, Chaney believes Benjamin could develop into a better player than Ewing. Yes, better than Ewing. Both he and General Manager Carl Scheer said it before the draft, and they still believe it.

“Not to take anything from Ewing, but this kid (Benjamin) has shot-blocking abilities same as Ewing, good leaping ability, and he’ll be a better offensive player than Ewing,” Chaney said. “Ewing, on the other hand, is more mobile. He runs the court well and is lighter on his feet. . . . Benjamin will eventually become a great offensive player. He’ll be in the top 10 in the shot-blocking category and a top rebounder.”

Chaney and others in Clipper management use the future tense when discussing Benjamin. Certainly, the club has invested much in Benjamin’s future. A week into training camp, Benjamin signed a four-year contract that pays him $575,000 this season, $940,000 next season, $990,00 in 1987-88 and $1.5 million in 1988-89.

Chaney, though, says there is no pressure on him to play Benjamin right away.

“I think he’ll catch up to Ewing,” Chaney said. “We all knew Tisdale would make an immediate impact if we had a chance to draft him. But we also know Ben will make a big impact down the line.

“Right now, I’m comfortable using him 10 to 14 minutes. If he plays terrible, I’ll pull him. If he plays well, I’ll keep him in. My intention for the year is, once he gets experience and develops, he and Donaldson will split time evenly.”

Benjamin hopes that will be the case.

“It (life in the NBA) has been totally different, but I expected that,” Benjamin said. “There’s more of everything to learn, and that’s a tribute to the high caliber of the athletes here. I’ve really got to work on my man-to-man defense and my shooting more than anything. That’s what I’m concentrating on.”

At practices, Benjamin spends a lot of time working on his inside moves. Chaney is trying to teach Benjamin to take the ball strongly to the basket instead of always relying on a short jump shot.

“Ben has a great turnaround jumper, but he has to go to the hole,” Chaney said. “I call jumpers like those bail-out shots. You can always get those. I want him to use his size to muscle in.”

So far, though, Benjamin has been outmuscled. He’s had shots blocked inside by the likes of Sacramento’s Rich Kelley, Houston’s Ralph Sampson and Portland’s Sam Bowie. But in Thursday night’s win over Chicago, Benjamin showed his first sign of aggressiveness with a thunderous dunk over Dave Corzine.

Chaney no doubt hopes he sees more of that. But it may be a long while before you can cease calling him Gentle Ben.

Clipper Notes

Reacting to comments made Thursday by Fred Slaughter, who represents unsigned free agent Norm Nixon, Clipper General Manager Carl Scheer said Friday: “It doesn’t matter if Fred won’t talk to me. I will try to reach Norm myself to talk to him.” . . . Talks are stalled, mostly because the Clipper offer remains $400,000 for three years. One source said that, earlier in the week, Nixon had come down $150,000 from his original demand of $725,000 a year for four years. Slaughter, meanwhile, said Friday that he has “no hope whatsoever that we can work out a deal under these conditions.” . . . Scheer, who said he would not bring in either President Alan Rothenberg or general counsel Arn Tellem to negotiate, also said he is talking to Sacramento about trading Nixon for point guard Larry Drew. Of course, the Clippers would have to sign Nixon first. . . . Slaughter also denied rumors that Nixon is considering dropping him as his agent. “I was with Norm today (Friday) and we’re still together,” Slaughter said. As far as we’re concerned, everything is off the table. I’m still looking for an offer sheet.” . . . Patrick Ewing held a press conference after practice Friday. He was not expansive. Among the highlights: Asked if losing bothers him, Ewing said: “I don’t even think about it. I don’t like it. I won’t think about it.” Asked if he still talks to Georgetown Coach John Thompson, he said: “Why does everyone ask me that? I talk to him like I talk to anyone.”