Collins Stays as Four Are Cut

Heads rolled as the Clippers sliced their roster in preparation for Friday’s opener.

But when all the damage had been done, there was, at least for now, one unexpected survivor: free-agent rookie guard James Collins, a 6-foot-4, 196-pounder from Florida State.

Not so fortunate were 11-year veteran forward Rodney McCray, two-year center Rich Manning, rookie guard Kiwane Garris and rookie center Nate Huffman. All were cut, leaving the Clippers with 13 players, one above the limit.

“He hasn’t made it yet, either,” Coach Bill Fitch said of Collins. “He has only survived one guillotine. But he can play in this league.

“The kid improved a lot since he came here for rookie camp. He handles the ball well. He plays defense well. He does everything steady.”

Nevertheless, at this point, what Collins does best is serve as an insurance policy.

“We didn’t cut all the way down,” Fitch said, “because we’ve got two or three guys who could go belly up on the injured list.”

Those three are guard James Robinson, who returned to action last week after sitting out nearly all of training camp because of a bone bruise on his right foot, and forwards Rodney Rogers and Loy Vaught, both of whom have been bothered by back spasms.

“One of our main worries is Robinson,” Fitch said. “If he should suffer a relapse, we wanted a fourth guard.”