Rooks Envisions a Brighter Future

The Clippers held practice at the Dallas Mavericks’ training facility Saturday, and veteran center Sean Rooks felt right at home.

That’s because Rooks played for Dallas last season in his second tour of duty with the Mavericks, who drafted him with the 30th overall pick in 1992.

With Dallas emerging as one of the top teams in the Western Conference and the Clippers already out of the playoff race, it would be easy to think that Rooks wished he wasn’t traded to Los Angeles last June and was a member of the Mavericks’ first playoff team in 10 years.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I’m happy that they’re finally turning things around and getting their respect,” Rooks said of the Mavericks. “I’m not surprised about their success because when [owner Mark] Cuban came in last season, he began to make changes and we finished up winning a whole lot of games late last season.

“But I have the same feeling with [this season’s Clipper team]. I really do. The only thing you worry about is whether things will stay intact. All of the pieces are in place and you would hope the team makes some moves during the off-season to make the team even better. But the talent is the same [as it was with Dallas last season].”

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Coach Alvin Gentry, whose team will play its second game without suspended small forward Lamar Odom tonight, said the Clippers will have their work cut out against the Mavericks, who have the sixth-best record in the West.

“They are playing great, and they have everything in the world to play for,” he said. “They are trying to solidify their position as a playoff team. . . . They have been one of the most consistent teams in the league this season. The only tough time they have had has been when [point guard] Steve Nash has been out [because of injury].”

The Clippers’ motivation is a little different. Not only are they seeking to end an almost three-year losing streak to the Mavericks, but they are also playing for next season.

“We have to stay focused and play every game like we are in a playoff race,” Gentry said. “We’re playing for all the things we can do to improve our team. [Saturday’s practice] is a good indication of that. We worked hard and I think Quentin Richardson had his best practice of the season.”

TONIGHT

at Dallas

5:30 PST, Channel 9

* Site--Reunion Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 22-42, Mavericks 39-23.

* Record vs. Mavericks--0-3.

* Update--Dallas has won 10 in a row against the Clippers and has not lost at home against them since Dec. 8, 1997. Corey Maggette, who has averaged 17 points over his last four games, will get his second consecutive start in place of Odom. This will be the first of two games in two nights for the Clippers, who play at San Antonio on Monday.