This Situation Is Taylor-Made

Though there isn’t much for the Clippers (0-3) to celebrate, they can at least feel good about the development of rookie forward Maurice Taylor.

Taylor has improved steadily since the beginning of training camp, gaining a better grasp of Coach Bill Fitch’s system. The former Michigan standout has been rewarded with increased playing time, and he’s making an impact.

He had his best performance in the Clippers’ 124-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at the Sports Arena, scoring 15 points and grabbing four rebounds in 23 minutes. Taylor was efficient, making five field goals in eight attempts, and all five of his free throws.

With starting forwards Loy Vaught and Rodney Rogers struggling (they combined for 10 points and five rebounds), Taylor played nine minutes in the fourth quarter. Fitch liked what he saw, at least from Taylor.

“If you get him in the right spot, there’s a lot he can do,” Fitch said. “But everything he’s doing, he’s doing for the first time. So if he doesn’t do something well, that doesn’t mean he can’t. It just means that he’s still learning.”

Taylor isn’t surprised by what he’s done so far.

“I have all the confidence in the world in my ability,” Taylor said. “I believe that I can help this team whenever I’m called on.

“The key thing for me is to remain focused when I don’t play. Even if I get passed over for one, two or three games, I still have to be ready.”

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For a guy who couldn’t stand a few days ago, reserve swingman Eric Piatkowski played pretty well Wednesday.

Piatkowski, who missed the Clippers’ first two games because of an inner-ear virus, scored 12 points in his season debut against the Rockets. Piatkowski played 21 minutes, making five field goals in nine attempts.

After taking an antibiotic for several days, Piatkowski said he’s finally at full strength again.

“All I could do was lay in bed, and I had to keep my eyes shut or I would keep getting dizzy,” said Piatkowski, who suffered from a similar inner-ear virus last season.

“I thought I must have the worst luck in the world, to get this thing again, but the doctor told me that it’s really not that uncommon. Still, it just seems like a weird, weird deal.”