DePaul Teammates Take Different Roads

A year ago, Quentin Richardson and Paul McPherson were DePaul teammates trying to lead the Blue Demons to the Final Four. On Wednesday, they faced each other as NBA rookies when the Clippers played the Phoenix Suns at America West Arena.

For Richardson, selected 18th overall by the Clippers, it has been a smooth transition from college to the pros. After opening the season as a backup, Richardson started his 18th game at shooting guard Wednesday night and had eight points in 26 minutes in the Clippers’ 90-85 loss to the Suns.

It has been a different story for McPherson.

Like Richardson, McPherson is a physical shooting guard who can score from all over the court, but his journey to the league has been a rocky one. After leaving DePaul after his junior season, McPherson was not drafted last June and signed with Phoenix as a free agent.

“I’ve always known I could play at this level but at DePaul we had a system where [Richardson] established himself as the go-to guy,” said McPherson, who had four points in 15 minutes on Wednesday. “It was my job to be a role player. [DePaul Coach] Pat Kennedy expected me to be around and be the man for this season’s team. But I had other plans.”

As a reserve behind Tony Delk--as well as Mario Elie and Anfernee Hardaway when they return from the injured list--McPherson knew he would not get a chance to play as much as Richardson does with the young Clippers this season. But when he has played, McPherson has done well. Last week, he scored 20 points in 17 minutes in a victory over Toronto.

“I’m playing for a great organization that has players who have won [NBA championships], and you have to wait your turn,” McPherson said. “Not too many rookies get a chance to play like Q is doing. . . . It’s tough when you are on a string and you have to produce the instant you are on the court. But in the long run, it’s going to help me.”

Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said DePaul had two of the toughest players in the country last season.

“It is a little different than you normally see and I would have hated to be the college guy trying to guard those guys in the post,” Gentry said. “Both players have shown they can play.”

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Statistically, the Clippers have ranked among the best rebounding teams in the league all season, but getting key rebounds has been more of a challenge. That was evident in the final minutes of Wednesday’s loss to the Suns.

With the Clippers using a small lineup of Sean Rooks, Darius Miles and Lamar Odom in the frontcourt, Phoenix forward Tom Gugliotta came away with three late offensive rebounds that helped seal the win for the Suns.

“There was some big-time offensive rebounds we gave up,” Odom said. “They determined the game, especially a close game like this.”

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After three consecutive double-doubles, Miles played passively on offense. He finished with eight points on four-of-12 shooting but he did grab a game-high 10 rebounds.