Veteran Rooks Happy With Role

There’s a good reason why Clipper fans have noticed a smile on veteran center Sean Rooks’ face.

Rooks is back home playing basketball in Los Angeles and he’s finally getting some respect for his skills. Playing as Michael Olowokandi’s backup, Rooks has more than held his own against the league’s big men.

Rooks’ statistics are nothing to write home about.

But he has provided leadership and reliability.

“I just want people to recognize that I do go out and play hard,” Rooks said. “People have been saying good things but I take that for what it is worth because the first time you play bad, people will be on you.”

Rooks has played professionally in Los Angeles before. He was with the Lakers from 1995-99 and it wasn’t always a positive experience. His playing time was scarce and when he did get minutes, Rooks’ play was inconsistent.

With the Clippers, Rooks is in the best shape of his career and has surprised some people with his perimeter shot.

“Rooks has made some big plays for us . . . big buckets and big passes,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “He’s a big guy who can shoot the jumper and pass.”

Olowokandi still has a tendency to get into foul trouble and has periods of ineffectiveness. So Rooks has been used often by Gentry and the former Fontana High and Arizona Wildcat has not disappointed. Rooks stepped up with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and two assists in 28 minutes in the Clippers’ victory over the New York Knicks last Wednesday.

“I’ve always felt that I could play and I’m in a situation where I can play a little bit more because I can help the team out,” Rooks said.

“I know I am to back-up Mike and to give the team positive minutes. I realize that I’m not in a situation where I can go out and play free . . . That’s for the superstars and all they have to worry about is playing their game. They don’t have to worry about how many shots they can take or getting pulled out for a reason because they are not the starter . . . There’s limits to my role and I’m enjoying it.”

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The Clippers put power forward Brian Skinner on the injured list before Saturday night’s game against Seattle. Skinner sprained his right ankle against New York last week and then aggravated the injury in the Clippers’ victory at Vancouver on Thursday.

To fill Skinner’s spot on the roster, power forward Zendon Hamilton was activated off the injured list and played limited minutes Saturday night. Hamilton, a 6-foot-10 rookie from St. John’s, was the Clippers’ leading rebounder during the preseason with a 6.8 average.