Dooling Finally Could Return

Keyon Dooling took part in his first full-contact practice since “the day before he sprained his ankle against the Bulls” as Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry pointed out Monday after a workout at L.A. Southwest College.

That would be Nov. 13, 2001, the day before Dooling injured himself in a collision with Chicago’s Ron Mercer late in the first half of the Clippers’ 106-102 victory at Staples Center.

Dooling underwent surgery during the off-season, hoping it would finally allow him to return to the court with some semblance of speed and explosiveness. He played six games after the injury last season, but was ineffective because his left ankle lacked strength.

Today, Dooling will join a three-game trip to Milwaukee, Chicago and Detroit. He hopes to play in at least one of those exhibitions. If not, he figures he will be ready to play Oct. 23 against Milwaukee at Staples Center. The season begins Oct. 30.

“I’m aiming for the last two preseason games,” Dooling said of his return. “I’m taking it day by day. I’m not even looking at the calendar. It feels pretty good. I can’t complain. It’s been pretty tough, but you’ve got to adjust.”

Dooling was expected to be Jeff McInnis’ backup at point guard last season, but the injury forced the Clippers to re-evaluate their depth at the position during the off-season.

McInnis signed to play with the Portland Trail Blazers. Earl Boykins, Dooling’s replacement, did not return to the Clippers. And the team pulled off a blockbuster deal by trading reserve forwards Darius Miles and Harold Jamison to the Cleveland Cavaliers to get Andre Miller and Bryant Stith.

The Clippers also signed Marko Jaric, their second-round pick in the 2000 draft.

Dooling’s status in the rotation is as yet undefined.

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Miles recently told ESPN.com the trade last summer from the Clippers to the Cavaliers hasn’t been all that difficult for him. He misses his best friend, Quentin Richardson, but, apart from being 95 minutes late on media day, things have gone fine for the 20-year-old forward.

“The trade wasn’t hard,” Miles said. “The only thing hard about it is [Richardson] plays [in L.A.]. I got used to those guys and the fans. But I want to be on the next 50 Greatest Players [list]. I want to make the All-Star team and elevate my game. I thought I couldn’t do it in L.A. unless they traded me somewhere.

“All of us there can’t be All-Stars. Eventually, some of us were going to leave. I was just the first to leave. It was a surprise to everybody.

“It was a surprise to me. I didn’t think I would be the first one to go, but I didn’t mind being the first one to go.”

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Gentry raved about the play of center Sean Rooks and forward Corey Maggette during the first four of the Clippers’ eight exhibitions.

Rooks has been filling in while Michael Olowokandi rehabilitates his sore left knee. Maggette has replaced Lamar Odom, who has a badly sprained right ankle, at small forward.

Their fine play is among the reasons the Clippers are 3-1, even with Olowokandi, Odom, Richardson (knee) and power forward Elton Brand (knee) out because of injuries.

“Sean Rooks has had as good a camp as he’s had over his career,” Gentry said. “He’s the kind of leader we need.”

Of Maggette, Gentry said, “Corey has played well. It’s hard to get upset with Corey because of his effort. He needs to work on his decision-making. You never fault his effort. It’s the reason he’s out there.”