Taylor Has No Regrets

Former Clipper Maurice Taylor has noticed his old team’s improvement, but don’t think for a second that the power forward has second thoughts about signing a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets as an unrestricted free agent last summer.

“I’m totally happy with the decision I made . . . There’s nothing I regret,” said Taylor, averaging 13.2 points and 5.5 rebounds before Thursday night’s loss to the Clippers.

With Houston chasing Phoenix and Minnesota for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference, Taylor is playing in important games at this point of the season for the first time in his four-year NBA career.

“I feel good because the season has been going pretty well and we’re in a fight to gain the last spot for the playoffs,” Taylor said. “It’s crazy for me to be in a playoff race. Every game in Houston has a playoff atmosphere. The arena is packed and loud. This is a different situation for me. I’m really looking forward to finish off the season strong and to get into the playoffs.”

In Taylor’s three seasons with the Clippers, the team won 41 games. The Rockets have won 38 alone this season. Because he’s playing on a winning team, Taylor does not mind that his scoring and rebounding totals are not as high as last season’s 17.1 points and 6.5 rebounds with the Clippers.

“I’ve had bigger numbers in L.A., but I think that I’m a better player this year,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned a lot from [the Rockets’] coaching staff this year that I never knew about the game. There are little things that I was never taught. I think I’m a better overall player. In this short period of time I’ve been here, I think I’ve gotten better.”

*

After sitting out Tuesday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers because of a left ankle sprain, swingman Corey Maggette was back in uniform and teammate Lamar Odom was glad.

“Corey works extremely hard,” Odom said. “Us playing against each other in practice helps both of us a great deal.

“I haven’t had anyone go at me hard like [Maggette does] in a long time. Every morning at 10 a.m., he’s ready to go.”