Clippers Would Love to Go Deep

With power forward Maurice Taylor playing the role of the underappreciated star, the Clippers may be the same old team off the court. But if the first day of training camp is any indication, this team may be the most talented on the court in franchise history.

Starting with Taylor, who is in the best shape of his career, the Clippers are loaded with versatile athletes. It would have been hard not to notice the athletic ability of newcomers Lamar Odom, Derek Anderson and Eric Murdock working out with the Clippers on Tuesday at Southwest College.

Odom, the team’s 6-foot-10 first-round draft choice from Rhode Island, knocked down three-pointer after three-pointer. Anderson, a 6-5 guard considered one of the best athletes to play for Kentucky, glided down the floor, then finished a break with a nonchalant one-handed power dunk. Murdock, a veteran point guard eager to show what he can do, made difficult pinpoint passes look easy.

And the best thing for Coach Chris Ford was that his impressive new additions worked on the team’s second unit.

“We have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions,” said Ford, who will begin his second season as coach after compiling a 9-41 record in the lockout-shortened season last spring.

“This is the way NBA camps are supposed to be. We have a full 28 days to work now and really cover a lot of basics and fundamentals.”

Practicing with the first unit were point guard Troy Hudson, shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, center Michael Olowokandi, small forward Tyrone Nesby and Taylor. Power forward Brian Skinner and center Keith Closs joined Odom, Anderson and Murdock on the second unit.

Ford is excited about the options he will have this season.

“I can envision Lamar playing [power forward]. . . . I can see Nesby playing [shooting guard] and Derek maybe [point guard and shooting guard],” Ford said. “There are a lot of different combos and I’m not going to be afraid to put those individuals out there.”

After challenging the league record for most losses to begin a season, then finishing with the second-worst record overall, almost anything would be an improvement for the Clippers. But even the franchise’s most hardened critics have to admit that the talent level has risen.

Murdock, who two seasons ago was one of the most sought-after point guards on the free-agent market after a strong season with the Miami Heat, may hold the key. Last season, Murdock struggled with knee and groin injuries and played only 15 games with New Jersey, but he’s sound now.

“It’s a new beginning here, and we have a lot of good young players,” said Murdock, 31, the second-oldest player on the roster. “I’m excited, to be honest with you.”

When Murdock signed a three-year deal with the Nets before the start of last season, he thought he would be in his native New Jersey for seasons to come.

“Unless you are a superstar, anybody is vulnerable to a trade, but you have to keep going,” he said. “There are going to be some situations that you don’t like but you still have to go in there and play as hard as you can.

“I feel that my career could have been a lot better if not for a couple of breaks here and there. . . . I’ve never really found my niche, but this gives me an opportunity to play and showcase what I can do and really be a leader.”

Clipper notes

Owner Donald Sterling made an appearance at the second practice and spoke briefly to the coaches and some players, including Taylor. . . . The Clippers have 17 players in camp and will continue to practice twice a day at Southwest College until Monday. . . . Third-year guard Charles Smith, second-round pick Rico Hill and free-agent signees Scott Brooks, Anthony Avent, Terrell Bell, Rodney Elliott and Charles Jones complete the team’s roster.

Rex Kalamian, the team’s video coordinator last season, has been moved up to replace Jim Brewer as assistant coach. Brewer and trainer Ray Melchiorre were let go by the Clippers during the summer. Jason Powell has replaced Melchiorre.