A Pivotal Debut for Closs

Some NBA observers scoffed when the Clippers signed 7-foot-3 rookie center Keith Closs, who wasn’t selected in the 1996 or 1997 drafts, to a five-year, $8.5-million contract in August because he played well in the summer leagues.

But the Clippers, for years the league’s laughingstock, may have the last laugh.

Closs had a game-high 13 rebounds, 11 points and four blocked shots as the Clippers defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies, 98-94, in their exhibition opener Saturday before 6,990 at the Pond of Anaheim.

Closs, who had nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in the fourth quarter, out-hustled Grizzly center Bryant Reeves, who signed a six-year, $65-million extension last summer.

With the Clippers leading, 96-94, Closs, who broke David Robinson’s NCAA career blocked-shot record, blocked a Reeves’ jump shot with 33 seconds left to seal the victory.

Although Closs seemingly outplayed starting center Stojko Vrankovic, who had nine points and five rebounds, Clipper Coach Bill Fitch praised Vrankovic, acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Stanley Roberts last June.

“As good as Keith played, I thought Stojko played even better,” Fitch said. “Between the two of them, I was really happy. Stojko cut down Big Country and changed shots and Keith picked it up when he came in there. He was playing against their bench, but when he went against Big Country I thought he did a good job.

Closs, who played for the Norwich (Conn.) Neptune of the Atlantic Basketball Assn. last season after leaving Central Connecticut State after his sophomore season, would like to start, but Fitch doesn’t usually start rookies unless they’re named Larry Bird or Hakeem Olajuwon.

Closs may be the Clippers’ best shot-blocking center since Benoit Benjamin.

“It’s nice to know you’ve got a big-time shot blocker watching your back,” forward Loy Vaught said. “That’s his thing and he does it well.”

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Forward Rodney Rogers (back) and guard James Robinson (ankle) weren’t in uniform, but accompanied the Clippers on their four-game, six-day trip that opens Monday night at Portland.