A Fit Piatkowski Is Also Rejuvenated

Throughout the exhibition season, veteran Eric Piatkowski was the forgotten man in the Clippers’ logjam of swingmen. Lamar Odom, Darius Miles, Tyrone Nesby, Corey Maggette and Quentin Richardson got the attention while Piatkowski recovered from minor surgery on his left knee.

He didn’t play in any of the Clippers’ eight exhibition games and logged only three minutes in their first two regular-season games.

Coach Alvin Gentry turned to Piatkowski late in the Clippers’ victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, however, and played him 25 minutes in Sunday’s five-point loss to the Lakers.

“I’m the happiest guy in the world since I had the surgery on my knee,” Piatkowski said about the removal of torn cartilage. “I feel like I’m 18 again, bouncing around the court.”

Piatkowski, 30, has put his time to good use. He has made seven of 14 shots and three of six three-point attempts, in averaging 11.5 points over the last two games.

He likes the makeup of the Clippers. Young players Miles, Richardson, Maggette and Dooling help give the Clippers a new look.

“I love having the young guys out there because they are such great athletes and do so many neat things,” Piatkowski said. “Then we have older guys like Sean [Rooks] and Derek [Strong], who are great teammates for helping the young guys. It feels like you’re going to war and everyone has your back.”

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Center Michael Olowokandi has been more active around the basket this season but his shooting has been a little off. In four games, Olowokandi has made only 12 of 37 shots, the misses often from close range.

But he gives the Clippers an inside presence, which opens things for his teammates. In the first half Sunday, for instance, the Lakers did not double-team him. They did in the second half and the Clippers took advantage with penetration drives.

“What we have to do is keep throwing the ball inside to him and try and establish an inside game,” Gentry said. “If teams are not going to double-team him, we have to take advantage of that.”