Rooks, Strong Enjoy Key Veteran Roles

Sean Rooks and Derek Strong do not consider themselves old men but when you’re 31 on the Clippers, it’s easy to feel like Social Security is right around the corner.

“It is strange that they are like cagey veterans when it comes to this team,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “But when you think about it, when [Rooks and Strong] came into the NBA, most of [the Clipper younger players] were not even out of junior high school.

“In that respect, it makes them seem like old players. Most of these guys were just 11 or 12 years old and Sean and Derek were already in the league [after spending four years in college].”

Gentry’s right.

When Strong made his NBA debut in 1992 with Washington, the franchise was still called the Bullets and not Wizards, and rookie Darius Miles was only 11.

According to Gentry, the Clippers could not have two better veterans to help out with young players such as Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette, Keyon Dooling, Quentin Richardson and Miles.

“They have a good feel for when they need to say something and help the young guys out or when to let it go and have a coach do it,” Gentry said. “I have the utmost respect for both of those guys. When you can stay in the league as long as they have, not only do you have to be talented but you have to be a people person and good in the area of communication. . . . I think they are good for us from the leadership category and to just have a veteran guy on the team.”

Rooks, who broke into the league as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks in 1992-93 and is with his sixth team in nine seasons, is more vocal than Strong.

Rooks is quick to talk to the young Clippers and tease some of them about their age. On the other hand, Strong likes to talk to his teammates one-on-one.

“They always give us positive advice,” Dooling said. “Most of all, they let us know we’re rookies. They are always giving us some type of rookie names.

“We try and listen to them because when those guys tell you something, you know it is coming from a reliable source. They’ve been in the league a few years and I’m always open for advice like that from a older guy.”

Rooks, who looks much slimmer this season, has impressed Gentry with his toughness and willingness to bang every day in practice against starting center Michael Olowokandi. Strong has also looked good pushing Brian Skinner at power forward.

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Dooling has returned to practice after missing some time because of a minor foot injury. Dooling has had his moments but Gentry said the rookie point guard fell a little behind when he was injured.

Dooling admits the jump from college to the pros has been tough.

“I’m coming along slowly but surely,” said Dooling, who left Missouri after his sophomore season. “I just have to adjust to this game because it is a lot more difficult than college was. I have to try and contribute any way I can.

“I have to learn how to slow down . . . I know when I’m going too fast. When I’m not going so fast, it feels so different. It is a big adjustment.”

Notes

According to Sean Holley, agent for Keith Closs, the Clippers were wrong in suspending the backup center for not being physically ready to play. On Sunday, Holley said he asked the National Basketball Players Assn. to file a grievance against the Clippers and is waiting for an answer. . . . The Clippers will practice today at College of the Desert and then return to Los Angeles to work out at Southwest L.A. College on Tuesday.