Piatkowski Needs an Old Routine

Eric Piatkowski’s routine never varies for home night games.

Noon--Come home from the morning shoot-around.

12:30--Eat lunch.

2-3:30--Nap.

5:15--Arrive at Staples Center as excited as a rookie even though he is in his eighth season in the Clipper backcourt.

But now, just when the Clippers have started winning, Piatkowski has lost the excitement, along with his cherished routine.

Since he strained his right hip flexor, forcing him to sit out the last nine games, Piatkowski’s routine consists of therapy, light running, therapy, helping his wife Kristen with their two young children, holiday shopping and more therapy.

“It’s frustrating,” Piatkowski said. “I don’t even like coming to the arena. I want to come out to cheer for my teammates. But when I was playing, I would feel the intensity, feel the buzz of excitement when I’d pull up to the arena. Now it’s ho-hum, just here to get treatment.”

Piatkowski, who still has difficulty moving laterally, hopes to go back to his old routine on Wednesday night and suit up for the visit of the Philadelphia 76ers.

At least Piatkowski is getting to spend more time with his family.

“Yeah,” he said, “but it’s tough not playing. I’ve got four months in the summer to spend time with the family.”

Added to the frustration over his inactivity is the fact Piatkowski has plenty of time to read the papers and watch television. And for a man who played his collegiate ball at Nebraska and lives in the host city for this season’s NCAA championship football game, that is not pleasant these days. All he has been reading and hearing is how Nebraska doesn’t deserve to be here.

“It is so annoying,” he said.

At least he no longer has to read about how bad the Clippers are.