Ford Expects Some Defensive Pressure That Wasn’t Encountered in Exhibition

One of the Clippers’ five exhibition season victories came against the Seattle SuperSonics, their opponent for tonight’s regular-season opener at Staples Center.

The Clippers’ 104-93 win over Seattle is tainted because all-star point guard Gary Payton, who has badly hurt the Clippers in the past, only played the first half.

“Now is for real, now you’re going to get the best from your opposition,” Coach Chris Ford said. “You never know how the opposition is treating an exhibition game. You want your team to be out there busting and doing things but sometimes, you’re not going to get that from the opposition. When the season starts, you are going to get your opponent’s ‘A’ game.”

In their exhibition game against the SuperSonics, the Clippers did not see much trapping defense, which Seattle used often last season but not as much as when George Karl was coach. Under Coach Paul Westphal, the SuperSonics still score a lot of points, but their defensive pressure is not as relentless as when Seattle reached the finals in 1996.

“I think they’ll do a lot of different things,” Ford said about the SuperSonics. “They’ll play their brand of ball. They will throw a lot different things at us. We went over a lot of things I think that we will see but it’s how we’re going to react when they spring it on us.”

If Seattle moves Payton to shooting guard to take more advantage of his offensive skills, the Clippers plan to assign Derek Anderson to guard him.

“If I can keep a bigger body on him, I would like to do that,” said Ford, who could still switch Anderson on Payton even when he is playing point guard.

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Eric Piatkowski, who will begin his sixth season with the Clippers tonight, has the most seniority with the team. Eric Murdock has been in the league the longest as he starts his ninth season but it’s his first with the Clippers after being acquired in an off-season trade with the New Jersey Nets.

Piatkowski, who will come off the bench after starting most of last season, said even though the Clippers have more talent this season, it’s important for the team to play under control early on.

“Everyone knows we are talented but very young, now it is just the big question mark if the young talent can win,” Piatkowski said. “It would be nice if we can get right out of the gate and win.”

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Without much notice, the league’s Oct. 31 deadline for contract extensions for third-year players, came and went. Maurice Taylor and Anderson did not seem bothered by the lack of activity from the Clippers because they expected as much.

Taylor is ready to begin the season, which he says will be his last as a Clipper.

“I’m glad the preseason is over, it’s time to play for real,” said Taylor, who averaged 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over the exhibition season.

Rookie Lamar Odom led the Clippers in scoring and rebounding over the eight preseason games at 18 points and eight boards per game.

TONIGHT

Seattle, 7:30

Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--XTRA (1150).

* Records (1999)--Clippers 9-41, SuperSonics 25-25.

* Record vs. Seattle (1998-99)--0-3.

* Update--The Clippers will have three new starters in Murdock, Odom and Anderson. Center Michael Olowokandi and Taylor are back as starters with Tyrone Nesby, Troy Hudson, Brian Skinner and Piatkowski being the first off the bench. Seattle is expected to start Horace Grant at center and Vin Baker and former Laker Ruben Patterson in the front court, and former Clipper Brent Barry and Payton in the backcourt.

* Tickets--(213) 745-0400 or (213) 480-3232.