Ford Visits Practice Site Amid Lower Turnout

The intensity level picked up briefly Thursday morning at the Clippers’ fourth informal workout when new Coach Chris Ford and his staff inspected the team’s Carson training site.

But if Ford, named coach Wednesday, and assistants Jim Brewer and Jim Todd were hoping to see a full turnout of Clipper players under contract, they were disappointed. Eric Piatkowski, Keith Closs and Stojko Vrankovic extended their perfect attendance records but they were joined by only two other Clippers, Charles Smith and James Robinson. Robinson didn’t participate in any drills but has worked out on his own the last two days.

Free agents Brent Barry and Darrick Martin practiced, but Pooh Richardson was a no-show for the first time, as were Lorenzen Wright, Lamond Murray, Maurice Taylor and Rodney Rogers, the other Clippers under contract.

Robinson said that he’s glad that Brewer, a Clipper assistant who was in the running for the head-coaching job, was brought back.

“He knows all of the players and our personalities,” Robinson said. “I think that was a good move.”

Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations, said that when it was suggested to Ford that Brewer return as an assistant, Ford quickly agreed.

“Brewer has been around for a long period of time and it’s nice to have him [on the staff],” Ford said. “I know that it was a tough situation for him and I know that I’m going to do everything I can to promote him as an assistant.”

Baylor said that the Clippers will have 16-18 players when they open training camp early next week at College of the Desert in Palm Desert.

Clipper Notes

Michael Olowokandi, the team’s No. 1 pick who is playing for Kinder Bologna of the Italian League, fouled out with six minutes left in regulation in a game Thursday. Olowokandi finished with six points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes. He went to the bench after picking up his fourth foul with 11:47 left. When he re-entered the game, Olowokandi was called for an offensive foul the first time he touched the ball. European pro games are 40 minutes, and players get five fouls.