Richardson Makes an Early Impression

Flashback to the Clippers’ draft night in June. The team received high marks for picking up young talented players such as Darius Miles, Corey Maggette and Keyon Dooling, but not too many people gave the Clippers credit for drafting Quentin Richardson.

Because of his close friendship with Miles, it seemed like the Clippers were only making a safe selection when they drafted Richardson 18th overall. In the days leading up to the draft, Richardson’s stock dropped because critics said he was too small to play forward and that his perimeter game wasn’t good enough to make it at the NBA level.

It may turn out that the Clippers did know what they were doing. Although a strong rookie exhibition season does not make an NBA career, Richardson is fast making a name for himself.

“He’s a much better outside shooter than I anticipated,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “I think he helps give us a good combination of inside/outside.”

In three games, Richardson is averaging slightly under 13 points per game and is coming off a 21-point game in the Clippers’ victory over Vancouver on Saturday.

“I’ve always been able to [shoot], it is just in college I had to play inside and I don’t mind doing whatever to help my team win,” Richardson said.

Miles said the Clippers (2-1 in the preseason) are only starting to get a taste of Richardson’s abilities.

“We got a chance to see Q have his night,” Miles said about Richardson’s effort against the Grizzlies. “He represented for us and brought us home. I don’t think there’s any guard in the league who can guard him in the low post. He’s too strong and has too much butt.”

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As a free-agent rookie two seasons ago, Tyrone Nesby surprised the Clippers when he beat out Lamond Murray and ended the season as the starting small forward.

Last season, however, Nesby’s role changed when Lamar Odom joined the team. Nesby started only 39 of 73 games and his shooting percentage dropped from 44.9% to 39.8%.

With the addition of Miles, Maggette and Richardson, Nesby’s role is again expected to change and so far, Gentry has been pleased with his attitude.

“I really appreciate what Tyrone’s trying to do and that is to play within the framework of what we’re trying to put together,” Gentry said. “He has passed up some shots that he would normally shoot. He’s trying to play within the system and not force things. That’s tough for a player who is used to shooting when he’s open. I’ve been real pleased with the way he’s responded.”

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Rebounding continues to be an issue with the Clippers. They have been outrebounded by Portland and Vancouver in their last two games.

“Looking at our team, we should be a pretty good rebounding team and I would be really disappointed if we are not,” Gentry said. “With Michael [Olowokandi], Brian Skinner, Derek Strong, Sean Rooks and our perimeter players like Lamar, Corey and even Tyrone, we should do better. They are athletic enough that we should be a good rebounding team.”

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The Clippers hope to get rookie point guard Keyon Dooling back in action this week. Dooling has yet to play an exhibition game because of an injured big right toe and Gentry said the plan is to have him play against Portland on Tuesday or at Denver on Thursday.