They’re Talking Playoffs

Let the record show that no one demanded to be traded Monday at media day, a sure sign the Clippers are about to enter a brave new world. Instead, there were serious discussions of making the playoffs. No one smirked or laughed out loud at the notion of qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 1997.

“This is the first summer I haven’t run into people saying a lot of sarcastic things about the Clippers,” Lamar Odom said the day before training camp opened.

“Things have changed.”

Interest and expectations certainly have been heightened in the wake of the Clippers’ acquisition of power forward Elton Brand in June, which followed a 16-victory improvement last season--to 31 wins--which coincided with the continued growth of standouts such as Odom.

“This is the most talented team we’ve ever had,” General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “We’re good enough to be a playoff team.”

The road to the playoffs, and ending the jokes and putdowns, begins today at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert. Or more accurately, it continues today.

“Summertime is when a lot of guys take a lot of days off,” Brand said. “But everyone was here. It’s exciting to be a part of that. That lets me know we’re all about business.”

It reinforced Brand’s decision to accept a draft-day trade from the Chicago Bulls to the Clippers.

He and agent David Falk considered a deal with the Washington Wizards, but as Brand put it Monday, “We knew even if Michael Jordan came back to play, they would only be good for a year or two, then it would be like starting over at the bottom again.”

The Clippers also announced they have picked up the option on Brand’s contract, which means he’s under contract through the 2002-03 season.

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The Clippers have signed a multi-season agreement with a company called LiquidSeats, which provides an on-line service that enables season-ticket holders to sell tickets they cannot use. Fans can log onto https://www.clippers.com or https://www.stubhub.com to buy or sell tickets .... Jerry DeGregorio, former Rhode Island coach, was named to the newly-created position of director of player development. Before leaving Rhode Island for the NBA, Odom served on the search committee that hired DeGregorio .... The team’s exhibition game against the Orlando Magic, originally scheduled to be played Oct. 21 in Mexico City, has been moved to the Ice Palace in Tampa, Fla. The NBA canceled all international exhibitions after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.