Maggette Pleased With Recent Play

Swingman Corey Maggette’s eyes lit up when he thought about facing his former team, the Orlando Magic, two days before Monday night’s game at Staples Center.

Because after getting shaky minutes over the first month of the season, Maggette has been playing consistently over the last week. Before Monday’s two-point, eight-minute outing, Maggette had played at least 19 minutes in each of the previous five games while averaging 13.6 points.

“Guys earn playing time and [Maggette] has done just that,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “As long as he keeps trying to play within himself and doing the right things, he’ll be out there. I don’t just give playing time.”

Maggette and Magic Coach Doc Rivers have known each other for years. Rivers said trading Maggette to the Clippers in June was the toughest call of his short coaching career.

“He’s improving every game but people forget that he’s young,” Rivers said of Maggette, who averaged 8.4 points and 3.9 assists in 17.8 minutes last season. “He plays extremely hard and with passion. I love him. He’s one of my favorite people . . . My mother didn’t talk to me for a week for trading him. She goes to the same church [as Maggette’s family in the Chicago area].”

“Corey is an energy-effort player right now and I think someday he is going to have to be a skilled player. That’s going to have to be the next step for him.”

Maggette said he’s feeling more comfortable with his playing time.

“It helps that I’m finally finding my role,” Maggette said. “I know I have to be patient. I can’t just go out there and do whatever. I have to be able to work within the framework.”

*

Former Clipper Troy Hudson returned to Staples Center on Monday as a backup point guard for the Magic. Hudson, who played nearly two seasons with the Clippers before being released last March, entered the game averaging 4.9 points for Orlando.

“It’s a loose situation here because Doc [Rivers] is so laid back,” Hudson said. “He just tells you to go out, be yourself and play hard.”