Miles Is Unlikely Power Forward

At first sight, one would think rookie Darius Miles too thin to play power forward. At 6 feet 9 and barely over 200 pounds, Miles doesn’t have the bulk to match up against the likes of Anthony Mason, Karl Malone and Larry Johnson.

But where Miles’ size and age--at 19 he’s the youngest player in the league--may hurt him at times, he has been compensating with his quickness and leaping ability.

The power forward position has been a problem all season. Brian Skinner has had his moments but his shooting is erratic, and Derek Strong does not demand the ball.

Coach Alvin Gentry began the season playing Lamar Odom there to get more punch in the lineup but Miles has been the man in the last several games. In the Clippers’ overtime loss to Miami on Wednesday, Miles had to match up against Mason for much of the game and had 10 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots.

“Darius is coming on and he’s getting better and better,” Gentry said. “I thought he did a great job on Anthony Mason. . . . He bothered his shot some.”

Gentry really likes to use Miles at power forward when the Clippers are playing a team that does not have a physical player there. Look for Miles to play a lot tonight at Phoenix because the Suns’ Clifford Robinson is more of a slasher.

When Miles is in at power forward, the Clippers have been able to run more with a smaller lineup, responsible for most of their late comebacks.

“Usually when we go small, that’s our up-tempo group,” said rookie point guard Keyon Dooling, who has played some shooting guard in recent games. “We get a chance to force the tempo and get some fastbreak points.”

*

Rookie guard Quentin Richardson suffered a bruised right thigh against the Heat and did not practice Thursday. He is questionable tonight.

TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 6 PST

Channel 9

* Site--America West Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 7-17, Suns 15-6.

* Record vs. Suns--0-1.

* Update--Phoenix point guard Jason Kidd is off to a strong start, averaging 17 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Over his last eight games, Kidd is shooting nearly 50% from behind the three-point line. Phoenix forward Shawn Marion is averaging 17.2 points and 11.3 rebounds. The Clippers have lost 12 consecutive games to the Suns, most recently an 89-85 overtime decision last month at Staples Center.