Youngsters Need Work on Defense

Flash back to when Alvin Gentry was named coach of the Clippers last August. One of the first things Gentry said was that he wanted his young team to play a full-court, trapping defense similar to the scheme used by the Seattle SuperSonics in George Karl’s early years as coach.

With lanky Lamar Odom and Darius Miles leading the way, Gentry figured a pressure defense would help open the court to take better advantage of the Clippers’ versatile swingmen. It would also spread playing time around because of the effort needed to make the defense work.

Almost one week into the season, the Clippers still are not using a pressure defense.

“Before you can play like that, you have to have a good solid foundation and we’re still working on that,” Gentry said before the Clippers’ 77-74 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at Staples Center. “I don’t think we want to start scrambling. . . . Once we can guard our own guys, then we’ll be able to mix up our defenses.”

According to Gentry, the Clippers’ lack of experience is the main reason why they’ve been so bland defensively. It’s the downside of having five players on the roster 21 or younger.

“The one area most guys struggle with when they come into the league is one-on-one defense,” Gentry said. “You become a better defensive player with time. I think Kobe Bryant is a classic example. When he came into the league, he struggled for his first couple of seasons and now he is an All-NBA defensive player.

“I truly believe that Darius Miles has the potential to be an all-defensive player but he has to keep working at it. We have to keep drilling him.”

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For the third consecutive game, the Clippers started guards Jeff McInnis and Miles, forwards Odom and Brian Skinner and center Michael Olowokandi. But for the first time, Corey Maggette was the first reserve off the bench when he replaced Miles at shooting guard against the Rockets.

TONIGHT

vs. Lakers, 6:30

Ch. 9, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570), KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Clippers 1-2, Lakers 2-1.

* Season series (1999-2000)--Lakers, 4-0.

* Update--The Clippers have lost 13 in a row to the Lakers and have not defeated their city rivals since March 14, 1997. Point guard Jeff McInnis leads the Clippers in scoring and assists.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.