Overton Makes a Smooth Transition

Doug Overton, the newest Clipper guard, didn’t look like a man who had been out of the NBA for most of this season. Signed Monday to a 10-day contract, he scored eight points on three-for-six shooting and was on the floor in the final frantic minutes of the Clippers’ loss Wednesday to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Overton played with the New Jersey Nets in 2000-01, then spent time this season with Kansas City of the new American Basketball Assn. and with FC Barcelona in Spain.

“I felt comfortable,” he said of his Clipper debut.

Learning the Clippers’ offense was no big deal, mainly because this is his 10th NBA season and most teams run the same plays. Only the designated names or hand signals are different.

“I’ve been with so many teams, the plays are embedded in my head,” he said. “Most of the plays are the same. You get with it pretty quickly.”

Up close, the Clippers appeared as advertised to Overton, who said he had been following the team from afar this season. They are young, athletic and talented, according to Overton, 32.

“I’ve tapped into the fountain of youth, I’m telling you,” he said. “They play with a lot of energy and you feed off that. I feel young.”

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Glenn Robinson scored 22 points and moved past Sidney Moncrief into second place on the Milwaukee Bucks’ all-time scoring list with 11,596 points. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the franchise record with 14,211 points.

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Coach Alvin Gentry bellowed for a timeout midway through the first quarter, but the Clippers racing toward the basket and away from their coach didn’t hear him. Point guard Jeff McInnis pulled up and swished a jump shot from the right wing and Gentry quickly changed his tune.

“Yeah, or do that,” he said within earshot of laughing courtside fans and observers. “That’s good, too.”

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Injured Clippers Keyon Dooling, Corey Maggette and Lamar Odom did not make the trip, remaining in L.A. to rehabilitate their injuries. It’s possible all three will be out for the rest of the regular season.